Turbo Trainer questions

[midliferider]

I would be grateful for your views.
I am thinking of buying a Turbo Trainer, possibly magnetic one. My reason is that I just need to do some exercise, not winter training as such, during dark, cold rainy days. I thought of buying a treadmill but buying a turbo trainer for £50 appears to be a cheaper option. I will only be spending about an hour every other day in the evening. So my questions are this

Do I really need special Turbo trainer tyres?
If I do, then does that mean that I will need a new rear wheel (with rear cog) unless I am prepared to keep changing the tyre if I want to use the bike?
Do people use a separate bike just for the Turbo?
If that is the case, does the condition of the bike matter? I can just buy an old functioning roadie for, perhaps £50.

 

[Citius]

Don't need a tyre, don't need a separate bike.

 

[Big Dave laaa]

Normal tyre ok as long as its a slick. Treaded tyres a bit noisy and overheat. Turbo trainers are the work of the devil and some people just can't get on with them. Have a look on ebay you might get a better quality one for your £50

 

[biggs682]

@midliferider we use an old Trek ladies hybrid on our turbo trainer mainly because it means we can all use it .

you dont need to a different bike at all but it has to be easier just to leave a bike connected to a turbo

so yes an old bike will do as long as it selects gears

 

[themosquitoking]

I went down the lbs, got an old wheel for a tenner and a cassette for another tenner and was done.

 

[bpsmith]

Makes more sense to have a spare rear wheel and tyre. Tyres do tend to flatten off and wear quicker than the road.

I use the stick wheels that I took off my first bike, with the tyres that came with both bikes, as they were both cheap sets with low grip.

 

[uclown2002]

I use my old battered hybrid on the turbo, which is permanently set up. No messing just jump on and ride.
May not be essential but doubt you'd regret doing it.

 

[Freds Dad]

Aldi have a turbo trainer for sale from Thursday

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-24-sep/product-detail/ps/p/turbo-trainer/

 

[The_Weekend_Report_Guy]

Hmmm...

No need for specific tyres.. They are less loud then regular tires and last longer.. So I suggest yes..! (read well, suggest)

No need for a new bike... Like they mention is helpful to have it..

Also agree with the spare wheel set up.. Is easier if you only have 1 bike.

Go according to your budget.. Cheap turbo trainers are usually very loud..

Then be careful with the cleaning after a work out... Look what happened to me on my blog.

 

[midliferider]

Aldi have a turbo trainer for sale from Thursday

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-24-sep/product-detail/ps/p/turbo-trainer/

That is one reason which make me to think about Turbo.

 

[midliferider]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

[RCITGuy]

Hiya Midlife

I have been using my normal road tyres on my turbo and am finding that constant use, after about 2 or 3 sessions, my tyre is going shiny and sticky, like its being smoothed off by the turbo..

I bought a spare back wheel, cassette and turbo tyre and find the turbo tyre is a heck of a lot tougher, and quieter too, so while you don't actually need a turbo tyre or wheel, its definitely a nice to have.

 

[Justinslow]

An hour on a turbo is a tough ask, particularly at any kind of pace, or structured training, you may want to invest in a fan as some blowing air is very welcome!
My one came off ebay, £50 for a £100 item (think it was a return or something) make sure you have the correct QR to fit the cups. I use my winter wheel on mine, we've also hooked it up to our mtb's but like has been said it is very noisy.
It helps if you can have a radio on or TV just to alleviate the mind numbing boredom of turbos.

 

[Gravity Aided]

DVD player, old Hollywood epics, and the turbo. What gets me through the worst of winter around here. Usually, as soon as there isn't a couple of feet of snow on the ground, I'm back out there. I fixed up a neglected 29er this year, just so I'd have less turbo time, and more outdoor riding.

 

[RCITGuy]

Amazon prime movies, or even better, watch the TED TALKS broadcasts and learn something while you pedal :-)