SurferCyclist

Just wondering how many of the over 50's (I'm 62) use the old turbo trainer? I'm in UK which means at this time of year(and a lot of rest of time unfortunately) the weather is abysmal so it's either venture out in gale force winds and rain or hit the indoor trainer.

I've had my dumb trainer for around 4 years and get good use out of it, maybe 2-3 sessions a week and I really hit it hard. Short sessions of around 40-60 mins but usually up to max effort.

Do many of you other oldies do similar?

On a side note, I'm looking to upgrade to a smart trainer and thinking of the Wahoo Kickr Snap. It's a wheel on job but has good reviews and be good enough for me. Any thoughts on these gratefully received.

Machoman121

it depends on how serious you take your cycling - and if there's some spare money to spend on this hobby then yes - it's a game changer for me. I would get the minimum Kickr Core (Wheels off) and not want to faff around with those wheel on types (Kickr Snap).

The smart trainer will allow you to put in the mileage for the fitness while minimising exposing yourself to the dangers of road cycling in real life. Most of the time it's 'quite' fun...sometimes it's a drag...but that can also be said about cycling in real life also. It's not cheap though - the hardware costs can add up very quickly and then you also have the zwift monthly subscriptions.

KenCT

I bought a Wahoo Snap in October 2019 for use during the winter months. For best results on a wheel on trainer use a training tire, make sure the tire is inflated to the same pressure before each ride and calibrate the trainer at least once a week. Those steps are not needed on a wheel off trainer.

The smart trainer definitely helps me maintain a level of fitness during cold weather when I don't ride outside. I used to go to a local gym during the winter and ride a stationary bike. Using the smart trainer in the comfort of my home with either Zwift or Rouvy is much more enjoyable then the gym. BTW I just turned 60 this month and ride about 100 miles per week; trainer, on the road or a combination of the two.

Barrettscv 

I've been using a Tacx trainer with the Rouvy app for a few years. With the winter weather in Wisconsin, it's the only way to maintain fitness during the off season. The technology is interesting also. The data rich displays and logs allow for some very sophisticated training that would be difficult to achieve outdoors on pavement or trails.

bikemig 

I use a wheel on smart trainer (Saris M2). It's been a game changer in terms of keeping me motivated.

unterhausen

I dont think I would use a dumb trainer.

caloso

I have a semi-dumb trainer: Kinetic Road Machine, that estimates power and transmits a BT signal. With consistent calibration it is very close to my Quarq crank PM.

I have using Trainer Road and Zwift, sometimes at the same time. It’s an efficient and effective way to train. Had I known that I was going to spend so much time on the trainer this year with covid and the fires, I would have gotten a smart trainer, but my set up works fine.

philbob57

A Turbo Trainer would be an upgrade for me. The TT is a better overall design than my Racermate II, but where the rubber meets the roller, I figure they're about equal. I wish I had the TT's bottom bracket interface, though. I might be able to sell my bike for $150 (perhaps a good deal more if I parted it out). I just don't see spending hundreds on a smart trainer. I'm not a racer.

What's the benefit of a smart trainer to someone who likes bicycling but isn't obsessed? (Not criticizing an obsession with biking, just saying it's not me.) Do I really need to know I've increased my power from 25W to 50?

caloso

A smart trainer does 2 things essentially: it measures power/cadence and it transmits that data so it can be captured, displayed, and analyzed (this may not be interesting or useful to you). It also interacts with training software so it simulates the virtual hills and draft effects in a game like Zwift. People say it’s much more immersive, therefore more fun. They will also do precise erg workouts so that no matter what gear or cadence, you are always doing the target power. Again, may not be interesting or useful for you. But it’s a effective and efficient way to get fitter, and in my experience fitter is funner whether you race, commute, or just ride around.

And like I said above, you don’t need an interactive trainer to do these things. I’ve had good experiences with my Kinetic fluid trainer.

shelbyfv

Here you go https://www.bikeforums.net/indoor-st...cycling-forum/

scozim 

I use a basic magnetic trainer during the winter months - not my favorite but I make it work

gthomson

Was going to mention this as well as you'll probably find more info in this forum as this topic is the soup of the day, so to speak.

My 2 cents on the topic since you brought it up is definitely worth acquiring equipment you are comfortable on setting up and spending the money on if you want to maintain a level of fitness during the off season, especially in this whacked year of COVID. I've been Zwifting for over 3 years now and I chose the wheel on smart trainer with ANT connection because it fit my needs and my budget. Much easier to remove a bike from a wheel on trainer than having to disconnect from the cassette and put your wheel back on to take your bike outside. And this is handy during the in between seasons like Spring and Fall, when it's sunny and warm one day and rainy and cold the next.

That being said, if you're really concerned about matching your numbers on the trainer to your outdoor experience than the power meter combined with a wheel off trainer is the way to go. I personally am not concerned and join a Zwift race and mash it out for 45-60 minutes with an average of 2.8-3.2 W/kg based on Zwift's calculation. Is it realistic? probably not but I'm sweating my a$$ off, my heart rate is racing and I feel like I got a good work out.

SurferCyclist

I'm more interested in how many older guys and girls use a turbo rather than general population hence posting in over 50's forum.

jpescatore

I'm 63, been biking forever. Tried indoor dumb trainers several times over the years - always too boring, even with a TV in front and I could never make myself do longer or tougher workouts.

In 2017 bought a Wahoo Kickr SNAP, signed on to Zwift - been having a blast for 4 years now. Very large population of older folks on Zwift, several online Zwift clubs aimed at old goomers, even several "Masters Races."

bikemig 

I need to check out those online Zwift clubs.

+ 1. Dumb trainers bored me even with a TV. With a smart trainer and Zwift, I'm getting far better work outs.

shelbyfv

You could set up a poll if all you need is a count

Ed Wiser

67 years old here I ride a Kickr bike daily. I ride in Zwift with my local bike club. It’s part of my morning routine. Get up at 6:15am and the ride starts at 7:30am. a hour hard hour ride. I ride with people 30 years younger than me an keep up with them.

shelbyfv

If that translates to being able to keep up on actual outdoor rides, I'd say you are doing well!

jadocs

Get Smart Rollers and never be bored again. Don't be intimidated...anyone can learn.

Carbonfiberboy 

I use a smart trainer - that would be me, with my road bike on my resistance rollers. I'm never bored. How could one be bored? There's so much to do, to concentrate on, every second. No matter how hard I try, I can't be perfect, hold my power within a couple watts, pedal perfectly for the intensity at which I'm trying to work, address the various pains which appear, and all this while not winding up on the floor. No, I'm never bored, even on a 2 hour ride. The further I get into a ride like that, the more interesting it becomes because the more issues I have to deal with.

If you're bored on your trainer, you're doing it wrong. You need to challenge yourself a lot more. Get on there and do something interesting.

donheff

I use an old Kinetic and just do sets of boring intermittent sprints in front of the TV. I don't have a clue about these smart trainers, Zwift, etc. I would like to find a more interesting visual experience rather than the news. To use Zwift, do you need to have a smart trainer or can you just mirror the app to your TV and follow along as best you can on your dumb trainer? Are there apps or sites that just project some generic bike routes that don't require a subscription?

Ed Wiser

You can use just a cadence and speed sensor.
to use Zwift. Ideally you would have a power sensor. But you can use just those two.

There are several Yourube channels that just have ride videos.
https://youtube.com/c/IndoorCyclingVideos


https://youtube.com/c/BiketheWorld

lokerola

I used my old dumb trainer 3-4 days a week doing trainerroad. I have Garmin Vector power pedals to track power. It's an awesome workout. 52 years old here (53 this month).

qcpmsame 

Rode rollers back in the late 70's, during any extreme cold snaps or sustained rainy periods (monsoon/hurricane seasons here.) Now its a Kurt Kinetic basic wind resistance stand that keeps me active when its not suitable weather. Have the mat and front wheel block, and keep a towel in place for catching the sweat out of things. Usually I set up in front of the television, so I can catch the evening local and national news. I use a dedicated trainer tire on back so as not to ruin the pricey items that are used out on the roads.

I wish I had kept those Kreitler rollers from back in the day, not as boring as the stationary stand can be at times. First-world problem there.

Bill

reverborama

I have a Fuji Supreme that does permanent duty on a Kinetic dumb trainer in front of the TV in the basement. I hooked up the cheapest computer I could find that tracked cadence. I like to watch The Simpsons, South Park, Rick and Morty. Bike racing is fun, too, but you have to be really careful. When the camera is on a moto and they are descending it is hard not to lean into the turns! Heading down now to use it as a matter of fact.