Turbo Trainer (on a budget!)

[Onthedrops]

I'm sick of this weather now.
I bought my T3 in November and up to press have not had many opportunities to get out and ride it due to icy wintry weather.

My original reason for buying the bike was to improve fitness (badly needed!) lose a bit of weight and get out and about in the fresh air and smell the flowers.
A turbo trainer won't provide the last requirement, but it will fulfill the first two.

I'm looking to buy a relatively simple trainer (not bothered about the whistles and bells). I'd like it to be quiet and smooth. Not wanting to pay too much so entry level would suffice.

Any recommendations from you kind people?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Depends on what your budget it

This is £165 and was getting good reviews. Pretty sure it was cheaper last year. I am guessing that more turbo trainers are sold in the winter than the summer due to the reasons you mentioned, so it may go back on sale later in the year.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/satori-pro-t1830-home-trainer-id_8164386.html

 

[Cycleops]

Haven't got any recommendations but it's the sort of thing you can pick up at a boot sale for cheap or not so cheap on ebay.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I'd have to agree with Cycleops. Got my Minoura at a garage sale for 6 bucks. Still had the olde tyme printed instructions that looked like they had been originated on a typewriter. Gets a good deal of use.

 

[Hip Priest]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADJUSTABL...798&pid=100015&prg=1006&rk=1&sd=330779442586&

I've got this. It's quite basic, but does the business. It is quite noisy when you put the power down though, so you may wish to look elsewhere.

 

[Onthedrops]

I will be using it in the garage so although noise is not particularly an issue a relatively quiet trainer would be preferred.
Planning on sticking a TV and DVD in there to while away the time. I've heard there are interactive DVD's available.

The Decathlon trainer doesn't look too bad, is it worth a punt or are there better, or dare I say it better and cheaper options available?

 

[jim55]

the decathlon ones pretty good iv heard ,its 99 quid as well

 

[themosquitoking]

I will be using it in the garage so although noise is not particularly an issue a relatively quiet trainer would be preferred.
Planning on sticking a TV and DVD in there to while away the time. I've heard there are interactive DVD's available.

The Decathlon trainer doesn't look too bad, is it worth a punt or are there better, or dare I say it better and cheaper options available?

The best option would be this, possibly.

 

[uphillstruggler]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cycleops/mag-plus-trainer-ec022852

i got this one a while ago and its pretty good although if you do plump for this, ask them to change the black resistance knob to the yellow trigger one that is shown on all of the other cycleops turbo trainers, the black one breaks after a few goes.

it does seem to have increased in price by about 40 quid though. if you can find one second hand (and its likely as turbos are pretty marmite) then you cant go too far wrong as there isnt a great deal to go wrong or wear out on them

as for the noise, this one is pretty quiet, and as you are using it on a garage floor and not an upstairs floor on boards, it shouldnt really be an issue. i use mine on a tiled floor in the kitchen and it is fine