Cycleops, Tacx, Elite etc etc...

[johnnyh]

am I right in thinking that, within a price band, a turbo is a turbo is a turbo???

Not looking to spend the earth, 100 to 175 notes territory.

Contenders seem to be

Tacx Sirius Soft Gel
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tacx_Sirius_Soft_Gel_Folding_Magnetic_Trainer/5360039757/

Elite Crono Fluid
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Elite_Crono_Fluid_ElastoGel_Trainer/5360026397/

or Cycleops Magneto Classic
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/CycleOps_Classic_Magneto_Trainer_Winter_Training_Kit/5360017578/

anyone have any experience of these, or am I right in thinking they will all be about on a par (being all about the same money - although I accept the Cycleops one in the link is more but that is cause it has been loaded with extra bits)

Cheers peeps

 

[jimboalee]

The cost of these items equates to four months membership of a gym.

At a gym, you have weights machines as well as rowers, X trainers, recumbent bikes AND upright bikes.

There will also be a sauna and steam room, showers with free shampoo, a cafe with free juice and coffee and most important of all, a qualified person who can operate a defibrilator.

After four months of using a home turbo, I'm sure you'll be pissed off with it.
The social ( competative ) interaction with others at the gym and the TV screens makes the time pass more rapidly than sitting on a turbo in the loneliness of your garage.

AND, you can join in the Spin sessions ad-hoc to get shouted at and be transformed into a quivering wreck.

 

[johnnyh]

that assumes ones life pattern fits in with gym membership.

being an ex-gym member, I know I get bored with gyms, looking at the same walls each time. I despise the MTV music culture that exists within too.

This time of year I have to be in during the evenings with 2 kids in bed, so again, gym isnt the answer for me.

I appreciate your input, all gym style machinery is boring - that is why I quit to ride a bike instead.

But, as I was asking, are these turbos much of a muchness at a price point?

 

[jasonmccullum]

i have the cycleops. wich is really good. It is even better if you get a couple of workout dvds to follow along with. I got mine second hand for £60 only!!!

 

[bannvalley]

Hi friend,You dont need Gym work.If you want a turbo,then there is only one way to go,and that is fluid.Cycleops do a really good one,although this is less forgiving thatn a fan or mag.you dont need one with loads of extras either.Just get on and do it.Your local club may hold winter spin classes,which would be of great benefit.If you really wanted,you could do some gym work or cross training.Find your level,are you strong?then you should be concentrating on aerobic fitness,staying away from weights ,muscle building etc,just spin spin spin.Then maybe after christmas,start including some strength work.
cheers,sean.

 

[johnnyh]

cheers for the replies chaps, yep am pretty fit, can knock off 100 plus mile rides, so it is more a case of keeping some spinning in for the winter nights when I am home, the kids are in bed and thus I can't get out.

I figure riding on a turbo has to be better than no riding at all.

So fluid you say, okies, I shall see what I can find

 

[johnnyh]

well I took the plunge and this morning had a Wiggle box containing an Elite Fluid elastogel turbo, and a cycleops front wheel riser.

2 mins to put together and had a quick blast.. does what it says on the tin, stable when stood on the pedals, and will set up a fan in front to keep cool.

guess a training tyre needs to be ordered, but pleased with the purchase, feels tons better than an excercise bike!

 

[NorthernSky]

well I took the plunge and this morning had a Wiggle box containing an Elite Fluid elastogel turbo, and a cycleops front wheel riser.

2 mins to put together and had a quick blast.. does what it says on the tin, stable when stood on the pedals, and will set up a fan in front to keep cool.

guess a training tyre needs to be ordered, but pleased with the purchase, feels tons better than an excercise bike!

which one is that, do you have a link to wiggle?

does it fit most types of wheel? i have an older racer i plan to use it with if i get one. i'm probably looking to get the magneto winter kit that you mentioned first
ta

 

[johnnyh]

here you go

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Elite_Crono_Fluid_ElastoGel_Trainer/5360026397/

decided on that over the magneto due to it being fluid.

 

[NorthernSky]

thanks

is it nice and quiet then?

 

[johnnyh]

yep, only had to turn the tele up one notch and was happily watching the Simpsons

would recommend the wheel stand for the front, get the level right.
Can stand up on the pedal too.

 

[groove65]

What made you choose it over the cycleops in the end ? ive been looking at the cycleops mag and the elite you mention. the elite seems a very good buy at £139 for a fluid trainer..

mind you, i do like the look of the complete winter training kit of the cycleops mag on wiggle.

do you find it very stable ?

cheers

Iain