2015/2016 Indoor Bike Trainer Thread
10-03-15, 10:47 AM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I did place my order for speed & cadence sensors and also got an ANT+ dongle. I look forward to using it to see if it changes how I'll ride.
10-05-15, 08:13 PM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I setup and did an indoor trainer ride this evening. I won't ride indoors much unless the weather is bad OR I just want to get a quick 20 minutes in before I get ready for work.
10-06-15, 08:19 PM
#28
Senior Member
wait till you get into racing others on the trainer, or when the nasty weather comes... you will love the trainer.
Your setup looks great.
Your setup looks great.
10-06-15, 08:28 PM
#29
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,618
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Liked 1,820 Times
in
1,094 Posts
10-06-15, 08:52 PM
#30
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking into this question now like everyone else. Visited one LBS and the guys did not know much more than the basics. I had to explain to him what trainer road was. Since they talked openly about riding till it got down to 20F I guess that makes sense.
Visited another LBS and not only did they do a better job walking me through the basic option but when I mentioned trainer road me said to come upstairs. They were in the midst of setting up a bike + wahoo kicker snap and Zwift. He said to come back later in the week and they would have a working setup to try out. He said they decided to set it up because they polled their best riders they were all switching over to Zwift. All his riders had not only been using it but had also been setting up rides with one another.
Visited another LBS and not only did they do a better job walking me through the basic option but when I mentioned trainer road me said to come upstairs. They were in the midst of setting up a bike + wahoo kicker snap and Zwift. He said to come back later in the week and they would have a working setup to try out. He said they decided to set it up because they polled their best riders they were all switching over to Zwift. All his riders had not only been using it but had also been setting up rides with one another.
10-07-15, 06:23 AM
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks. I'm resisting the urge to ride it even when I can get outside because it's new and shiny! New and shiny things are always more fun! For a bit anyways.
10-07-15, 06:25 AM
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
HA! Yes I forgot that on my first test ride. I do have one that I'll bring downstairs. I have a bunch of smaller fans that I used to dry out a crawl space in my old house so if I need to hook up two I will.
And a towel over the front part of my bike so I don't drip all over everything.
And a towel over the front part of my bike so I don't drip all over everything.
10-07-15, 06:28 AM
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Looking into this question now like everyone else. Visited one LBS and the guys did not know much more than the basics. I had to explain to him what trainer road was. Since they talked openly about riding till it got down to 20F I guess that makes sense.
Visited another LBS and not only did they do a better job walking me through the basic option but when I mentioned trainer road me said to come upstairs. They were in the midst of setting up a bike + wahoo kicker snap and Zwift. He said to come back later in the week and they would have a working setup to try out. He said they decided to set it up because they polled their best riders they were all switching over to Zwift. All his riders had not only been using it but had also been setting up rides with one another.
Visited another LBS and not only did they do a better job walking me through the basic option but when I mentioned trainer road me said to come upstairs. They were in the midst of setting up a bike + wahoo kicker snap and Zwift. He said to come back later in the week and they would have a working setup to try out. He said they decided to set it up because they polled their best riders they were all switching over to Zwift. All his riders had not only been using it but had also been setting up rides with one another.
I have not used any other product than Zwift so I can't compare. It is still in beta and free so I wonder if it is better than BKool or if it is just new, and therefore different, and therefore interesting.
10-07-15, 07:17 AM
#34
Senior Member
Even though we only have about 4 days a year of weather that is too cold to ride, I decided to get some rollers for indoor use. We've had a lot of rain the last couple of weeks and my riding has suffered. I went the roller route for now to work on keeping a smooth cadence (I'm "alright" on the road, but there's room for improvement) and holding a straight line (again, I've definitely seen worse riders, but smoother is better). Took advantage of Nashbar's 21% off the other day to pick up the cycleops rollers with resistance. I've got 2 big fans, a big TV, and delusions of not falling off the first time I try it all out.
10-07-15, 07:51 AM
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Even though we only have about 4 days a year of weather that is too cold to ride, I decided to get some rollers for indoor use. We've had a lot of rain the last couple of weeks and my riding has suffered. I went the roller route for now to work on keeping a smooth cadence (I'm "alright" on the road, but there's room for improvement) and holding a straight line (again, I've definitely seen worse riders, but smoother is better). Took advantage of Nashbar's 21% off the other day to pick up the cycleops rollers with resistance. I've got 2 big fans, a big TV, and delusions of not falling off the first time I try it all out.
10-07-15, 09:18 AM
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 24
Bikes: 2014 Roubaix SL4 Sora
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Even though we only have about 4 days a year of weather that is too cold to ride, I decided to get some rollers for indoor use. We've had a lot of rain the last couple of weeks and my riding has suffered. I went the roller route for now to work on keeping a smooth cadence (I'm "alright" on the road, but there's room for improvement) and holding a straight line (again, I've definitely seen worse riders, but smoother is better). Took advantage of Nashbar's 21% off the other day to pick up the cycleops rollers with resistance. I've got 2 big fans, a big TV, and delusions of not falling off the first time I try it all out.
10-07-15, 11:19 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,114
Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2.0, 2016 Trek Emonda ALR 6, 2015 Propel Advanced SL 2, 2000 K2 Zed SE
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Zwift is a nice distraction, but it's hard for me to follow a structured plan because I go all competitive. Not that my results are competitive, just that I hit the end of a climb or sprint toasted.
The first day I loaded it up was supposed to be a day for an FTP test and I just ended up using up my legs. Oops.
It's a little easier to stay focused with Trainer Road, but when you've got your FTP set correctly the workouts can hurt.
I think I have a remote for my fan, I should dig it out. Get cold during rest intervals with the fan too high, but flood the room during higher intensity work. I think this is what would be called a First World Problem...
Taking a peek at the Bkool simulator now.
The first day I loaded it up was supposed to be a day for an FTP test and I just ended up using up my legs. Oops.
It's a little easier to stay focused with Trainer Road, but when you've got your FTP set correctly the workouts can hurt.
I think I have a remote for my fan, I should dig it out. Get cold during rest intervals with the fan too high, but flood the room during higher intensity work. I think this is what would be called a First World Problem...
Taking a peek at the Bkool simulator now.
10-07-15, 11:54 AM
#39
Senior Member
10-12-15, 03:33 PM
#41
Senior Member
I got my 3" Kreitler rollers today. First 5 minutes was a little ugly but I soon got the hang of it.
50/14, 90 to 100 RPM, made it about 10 minutes and pouring sweat in my 60 degree basement. Did another 10 minutes with a fan....much better, but I was done!
I'm a coaster on the road, hopefully I can fix that this winter. My first impression is the 3" rollers are not too much resistance for a beginner.
10-12-15, 08:35 PM
#42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
10-12-15, 08:36 PM
#43
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I got my 3" Kreitler rollers today. First 5 minutes was a little ugly but I soon got the hang of it.
50/14, 90 to 100 RPM, made it about 10 minutes and pouring sweat in my 60 degree basement. Did another 10 minutes with a fan....much better, but I was done!
I'm a coaster on the road, hopefully I can fix that this winter. My first impression is the 3" rollers are not too much resistance for a beginner.
I haven't gotten back downstairs to my trainer as the weather has been nice. Good! Also I just committed to lead some group rides so I'm going to be outside when I would normally wuss out and either just be lazy or get on a trainer.
10-13-15, 03:06 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North America
Posts: 397
Bikes: Kona Lana'i, Cannondale CAADX Disk
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm going to re up TrainerRoad pretty soon, the weather is getting kinda bad here, lots of wind...I'll need a couple more things to get a nice set up though, I have the laptop set up on my kids high chair lol and I'll need a fan too
10-13-15, 04:19 AM
#45
Senior Member
Make a bar with magnets (easy DIY ~$20)
Add the flywheel (pricy but still way less than TruTrainer ~$150)
Add the Killer Headwind (pricy and noisy ~$200)
I'm pretty sure I've got all I can handle without resistance for now.
Kreitler Rollers
10-13-15, 05:53 AM
#46
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 24
Bikes: 2014 Roubaix SL4 Sora
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
No, but I have three options if I do wish to add resistance:
Make a bar with magnets (easy DIY ~$20)
Add the flywheel (pricy but still way less than TruTrainer ~$150)
Add the Killer Headwind (pricy and noisy ~$200)
I'm pretty sure I've got all I can handle without resistance for now.
Kreitler Rollers
Make a bar with magnets (easy DIY ~$20)
Add the flywheel (pricy but still way less than TruTrainer ~$150)
Add the Killer Headwind (pricy and noisy ~$200)
I'm pretty sure I've got all I can handle without resistance for now.
Kreitler Rollers
I was on the fence about getting rollers with resistance and after my few sessions... I'm fine with the "no resistance" still feels like more than on the road. It's an eye opener to how much coasting can actually occur on the road/paths.
Do you plan on making a motion base? I've already butchered a set of roller blades in preparation.
Getting the rollers started is the trick, after that its relatively easy. Enjoying rollers quite a bit and its only 30 minute sessions to start out, as vze said 10 minutes in and its full on sweat.
Last edited by UrHuckleBerry; 10-13-15 at 05:57 AM.
10-13-15, 09:08 AM
#47
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am resisting the urge to get on mine. I don't want the novelty to run out and it turn into a chore too quickly. I've committed to leading some group rides locally for the selfish reason of making myself show up and ride. Funny thing is that as soon as I am halfway through the first pedal stroke I enjoy it immensely. Taking the time to get out is the painful part. Leading the ride ensures that it's a done deal, I have to be there.
10-13-15, 10:00 AM
#48
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 24
Bikes: 2014 Roubaix SL4 Sora
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I love getting out and riding, but with Nebraska weather its always a crapshoot and missed a lot of days due to weather. Having a trainer will help on the days where weather won't cooperate. The local club has already gone to gravel riding and quit the chit chat road rides.
10-13-15, 01:16 PM
#49
No one carries the DogBoy
I am starting my base program (sweet-spot base, TrainerRoad) on the trainer (Kurt Fluid Trainer) this week. Did the 8 minute FTP test and it was WAY different than I expected. I guess it doesn't matter as long as I am consistent with it. I'm using my Surface with Garmin ANT stick on the garage bench and a fan. Garmin HRM & Garmin GSC speed/cadence. I still ride to work on a different bike, but I go slow and don't count it as training. Goal is to de-clyde (down 11 lbs to 220 in last 30 days) myself by spring so I can start more intense run/bike/swimming in prep for IM WI next September.
Here is my setup:
Here is my setup:
Last edited by DogBoy; 10-13-15 at 05:54 PM.
10-14-15, 05:24 AM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North America
Posts: 397
Bikes: Kona Lana'i, Cannondale CAADX Disk
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
that's interesting
Zwift adds structured training sessions to virtual world | road.cc
Zwift adds structured training sessions to virtual world | road.cc
