Clifton CC

In the past I've avoided spending the winter evenings sitting in the garage listening to the whirr of the turbo, but I'm starting to come round to the fact that there are some advantages to their use

So, can anybody provide some ideas as to what type / brand / model I should be considering, bearing the following in mind:

I'd hope to be using it once or maybe twice a week (I'd still prefer to get out when I can).

I'd prefer a "turbo" rather than traditional rollers.

Noise and storage space isn't too much of an issue.

Speedy set-up would be good - if I'm spending 15 mins each time setting it up, I could have got some layers on and got out on the road instead.

I'l be using my normal road bike on it and would like to avoid having to get dedicated tyres etc if possible.

I want to avoid PC / DVD etc interfaces.

Max spend £100 to £125, but I'd want something that's going to last. Happy to consider second hand if anybody has something suitable in their garage!

Intended use would be for shortish sessions where I can focus on heart-rate / cadence / speed, rather than the usual night ride factors of worrying if that car has seen me, and trying to press the button on my heart-rate monitor without taking my thick gloves off!!

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Jason.

I'l be using my normal road bike on it and would like to avoid having to get dedicated tyres etc if possible.

This only works if you've got heavier winter tyres on. You'll wear out race tyres quickly on a turbo.

I've got a CycleOps Magneto, which would be within your price range. It's simple to set up (fold out legs, clamp in bike) and has no controls to adjust - it simply gives progressively more resistance as speed increases. It seems pretty robust and looks like it'll last ages.

I've been using it almost entirely for interval work plus a few longer tempo sessions. It's been fine for all of these although sprint intervals are still much better done on the road as it all leaps around a bit unnervingly when out of the saddle. I'd recommend it; ie I'm keeping mine but I'd recommend getting one new!

Arthur's right about tyres. Some seem to stick better to the roller than others, also. I use an old rear wheel and sacrifice partly-worn race tyres on it over winter. The Magneto comes with a skewer with ends designed to be gripped in the turbo - you can either just use this instead of your current QR or leave it in the dedicated "turbo" wheel if you have one.

I have found that although you can simply use the gears to vary the resistance I get on better with a variable resistance turbo - just my hapennyworth!

Thanks all, exactly the sort of info I was after. The Magneto was the one I was thinking of as it was, so if it's good enough for Phil it will be just fine for me!!

Thanks again,

Jason.

Blimey.. ..the weight of responsibility! I'd better get some results next year...