First use of turbo trainer

[NorthernSky]

i got mine last winter and it really bored me, but this year it hasnt been as bad. maybe because i knew what to expect

i watch films etc and have music going to keep me occupied. i keep a towel on the crossbar

i tend to do about 35-40 mins, spinning fast at intervals. its all just to keep me ticking over until i can get out there again. i never take it seriously, and always feel good afterwards

 

[rockyraccoon]

... i watch films etc and have music going to keep me occupied. i keep a towel on the crossbar

i tend to do about 35-40 mins, spinning fast at intervals. its all just to keep me ticking over until i can get out there again. i never take it seriously, and always feel good afterwards

+1.

I do the same and I love mine!

 

[Downward]

Just had a go on mine - It's ok. Strange feeling and really sweaty. Still gonna have another crack tonight with DVD.

How can you measure your cadence ??

 

[accountantpete]

How can you measure your cadence ??

Either get a computer with a cadence facility or just count it out against the clock on the computer. You soon learn roughly (within 5 revs) what your cadence is without the need to check.

 

[rockyraccoon]

How can you measure your cadence ??

I didn't want to spend more money on an extra computer (cadence) when using the turbo trainer.
Basically I used this website to calculate the cadence from any speed. I then printed out the table for different cadences (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 rpm, etc). My training workout now has the speeds/cadences added to it.

 

[kfinlay]

Can also download Sufferfest Video - awesome stuff - I've got Angels but plan on downloading more at only $10 each well worth it.
see http://www.thesufferfest.com

 

[Liffy99]

Don't laugh !
I've not done much cycling for over a decade and then basically touring holidays, 15 mile commutes and a couple of short Audax rides. So now I'm hopelessly unfit, in my 50s and to confound matters, tore a knee ligament back in August which is taking months to heal.
So bought a TACX Sirius turbo trainer a couple of weeks ago to try and get a bit more exercise. And boy, is it hard work ! I started off thinking I'll do 10 miles and gradually improve my time. Ha ha, after 2 I was done in, knee aching and had had enough. Since then I've added 0.1 mies each session and built up to 4 miles, with reducing times (now about 13 mins).
But I really struggle to figure out how to set the resistance - the pedalling usually seems harder than reality (no chance to freewheel like on the road) but if I slacken off the tension my ave speed shoots to the mid twenties ( from mid teens) and I hit 40mph on occasional sprints. There's a line of rubber particles behind the rear wheel !
Also find it difficult to cycle smoothly, especially at sub 15mph speeds - on the downstroke there's precious little resistance and pedalling is just plain jerky. Perhaps there's not enough flywheel assistance.
Anyway, onwards and upwards as I my aim is to crack 4 miles in 12 mins, then build up to 5 miles etc. goal is to do that 10 miles in 30 mins which is just a tad quicker than I ever managed on my touring (now an Audax variant) on the road.

 

[NorthernSky]

are you using a dedicated turbo trainer tyre Liffy99. they are nice smooth and might help with your sessions

 

[jdtate101]

Don't laugh !
I've not done much cycling for over a decade and then basically touring holidays, 15 mile commutes and a couple of short Audax rides. So now I'm hopelessly unfit, in my 50s and to confound matters, tore a knee ligament back in August which is taking months to heal.
So bought a TACX Sirius turbo trainer a couple of weeks ago to try and get a bit more exercise. And boy, is it hard work ! I started off thinking I'll do 10 miles and gradually improve my time. Ha ha, after 2 I was done in, knee aching and had had enough. Since then I've added 0.1 mies each session and built up to 4 miles, with reducing times (now about 13 mins).
But I really struggle to figure out how to set the resistance - the pedalling usually seems harder than reality (no chance to freewheel like on the road) but if I slacken off the tension my ave speed shoots to the mid twenties ( from mid teens) and I hit 40mph on occasional sprints. There's a line of rubber particles behind the rear wheel !
Also find it difficult to cycle smoothly, especially at sub 15mph speeds - on the downstroke there's precious little resistance and pedalling is just plain jerky. Perhaps there's not enough flywheel assistance.
Anyway, onwards and upwards as I my aim is to crack 4 miles in 12 mins, then build up to 5 miles etc. goal is to do that 10 miles in 30 mins which is just a tad quicker than I ever managed on my touring (now an Audax variant) on the road.

Set the turbo on a light resistance where you can pedal in the lower half of the cassette (big ring) at about 20mph and do it where you are sweating, but not going into the red. This will be about approx to road riding at 20mph.
Magnetic resistance trainers can be tricky to get right as they have a liner resistance model (ie constant resistance independent of speed), whereas fluid and air turbo's have an infinite curve, which increases the more speed you pour on no matter what gear.

 

[Liffy99]

Set the turbo on a light resistance where you can pedal in the lower half of the cassette (big ring) at about 20mph and do it where you are sweating, but not going into the red. This will be about approx to road riding at 20mph.
Magnetic resistance trainers can be tricky to get right as they have a liner resistance model (ie constant resistance independent of speed), whereas fluid and air turbo's have an infinite curve, which increases the more speed you pour on no matter what gear.

Thanks
Is that big ring at front and the bigger (lower gear) rings ant the rear ?
I'll look into the tyre choices as it's chewing my new rear one at a rate of knots.

 

[jdtate101]

Thanks
Is that big ring at front and the bigger (lower gear) rings ant the rear ?
I'll look into the tyre choices as it's chewing my new rear one at a rate of knots.

Yeah, go for biggest chainring at the front, and halfway up on the rear (that way you can go either harder or easier by changing gears)

 

[Liffy99]

Hmmmm, seems the Christmas spirit might be of the wrong sort !
Anyway, have set up the tension again and tried to approximate the combination of big ring plus mid cluster to what I remember cycling at 20 mph feels like (setting 4 on the turbo trainer friction control).
But now I get a really heavy vibration that goes right through the trainer and the bike - guess I'll need to experiment a bit more unless anyone knows what might cause this - not just the small vibration and noise as usual, but a really strong vibration.

 

[amaferanga]

Thanks
Is that big ring at front and the bigger (lower gear) rings ant the rear ?
I'll look into the tyre choices as it's chewing my new rear one at a rate of knots.

You've probably got the tension on the tyre set too high then cos regular tyres should be fine on a turbo and certainly shouldn't be getting chewed. I do several hours a week on the turbo through the winter months and one regular tyre will last more than a winter (probably several).

 

[jdtate101]

Also make sure the thing is absolutely level and has no wobble.

 

[Rob3rt]

Set the turbo on a light resistance where you can pedal in the lower half of the cassette (big ring) at about 20mph and do it where you are sweating, but not going into the red. This will be about approx to road riding at 20mph.
Magnetic resistance trainers can be tricky to get right as they have a liner resistance model (ie constant resistance independent of speed), whereas fluid and air turbo's have an infinite curve, which increases the more speed you pour on no matter what gear.

Excuse me whilst I interject (not directly in response to your comment jdtate101, but sort of related):

FORGET SPEED ON THE TURBO TRAINER!

You should care only about "duration at intensity".

Just set the thing on some resistance setting and use your gears to dial in your required intensity.