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TIME TO TURBO
When riding outdoors this autumn and winter is simply too cold, dark, wet or icy, don’t resign yourself to another day of no riding. Summer might seem like a distant memory but that’s no reason to let your bike fitness slip away. Turbo trainers allow you to continue clocking up the miles indoors regardless of what’s going on outside. Here at Wiggle we have a huge range of turbo trainers in stock, from entry level set-ups which are perfect for first time users through to top-end machines which monitor power, cadence, heart rate and mileage and can simulate real life riding.
Getting started
If you’re new to the world of turbo trainers, you’ve nothing to fear as they are easy to use: simply slot your rear wheel into the device and you’re off. It’s always wise to turbo in a well ventilated room, ideally with a fan next to you to keep you cool, and don’t forget to put a bottle of water or energy drink on your bike so you can rehydrate as you ride.
Turbos at Wiggle
For those just starting out, the Tacx Speedmatic offers great value and is simple to use. There are seven different resistance settings which enable users to vary the intensity of their workout. It can be easily and neatly folded away and is one of the quietest magnetic trainers on the market.
The Elite Crono Hydromag Elastogel is also worth checking out and is currently on a steal of a deal at Wiggle.
For those looking for something more, the Tacx Satori is the warm-up trainer of choice for many a pro team. Designed to withstand incredible forces, this trainer is perfect for monster sessions and has a handlebar mounted shift lever with 10 levels of resistance. It is sold with a front wheel support which also serves as a carrying brace.
In a similar price range is the Elite Crono Mag Elastogel, which is one of the smoothest turbos around, and is highly rated for being easy to transport and its minimal noise and wear. Its Breakthrough Fluid+Mag technology offers higher resistance at a set speed, especially at low speed to replicate riding climbs and in headwinds.
Accessorise your turbo
Using a turbo trainer can get sweaty so it’s worth investing in a couple of essentials such as the Tacx Sweat Cover to prevent sweat corroding your frame and the Tacx Turbo Trainer Mat to help protect your carpet/floor. A mat will also reduce vibrations and noise, which is particularly useful if you’re using a turbo on hard wooden floors or live in a flat. A top tip to remember: be wary about rolling your bike over the carpet/floor immediately after your turbo session. The tyre will still be warm and usually leaves behind a black mark which can be hard to remove. There are dedicated turbo tyres available here if you’d rather save your regular road tyres from turbo wear and tear. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the turbo through the autumn/winter, it is worth setting it up somewhere where you can listen to music, watch TV or put on a DVD for entertainment. Try this training DVD, shot on a Pyrenees stage of the Tour de France, if you’re looking for inspiration.
Happy turbo training!
The Wiggle Team
