Bike Trainer AKA Winter Riding Thread
#51
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My Kurt Kinetic came with a steel skewer. I was using high end DT skewer... It held up, but the steel one also holds the wheel quite well, and fits better in the trainer.
Tire wear, oh heck yeah, it is even putting the hurt on a Marathon +...
But I don't mind wearing out, but after that I'll use my old fast bike on the trainer...
Don't think I can bust a wheel on a trainer...??? Or can you?
Tire wear, oh heck yeah, it is even putting the hurt on a Marathon +...
But I don't mind wearing out, but after that I'll use my old fast bike on the trainer...
Don't think I can bust a wheel on a trainer...??? Or can you?
I won't get my road bike back until next Wednesday. Until then I'm going to keep on the trainer with my hybrid and normal tyres (tires?) and hope I don't do too much damage.
#52
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I love cycling... I don't train... I mostly just ride. But the Midwest (where I live) doesn't have the most bicycle friendly off-season. So this summer I bought a CycleOps fluid trainer at a yard sale. I got it for nearly nothing and it works like new.
I normally ride 2000 miles a year (it's a on-going goal). Nothing all that great but an actual challenge this year because of colder and wetter weather. I decided if nothing else... I could complete my goal in 20 minute, sweaty, boring, garage rides on the trainer.
I have a rain-bike which I often take out when the weather looks like possible-to-certain rain. And I put rain-bike on the trainer a few times this summer when it was pouring rain outside. I found some decent cycling videos on YouTube and downloaded some for use on both my laptop and my tablet. I created a garage setup where I can open the big car-door as well as run a couple fans.
I can easily enough log 5-6 miles per 20 minute session. Sometimes watching a video on my tablet and other times watching the news on my smartphone. I was kind of surprised to find I actually enjoyed the work-out. 20 minutes passes pretty quickly.
I should reach my goal of 2000 miles this year (barring accident, illness, injury, or other problems) with or without the trainer. I only have 222 miles left to ride. But I will be making sure I get my minimum aerobic exercise in this winter... with a little running and some indoor trainer usage. I also do some increased winter weight training in the colder months.
I normally ride 2000 miles a year (it's a on-going goal). Nothing all that great but an actual challenge this year because of colder and wetter weather. I decided if nothing else... I could complete my goal in 20 minute, sweaty, boring, garage rides on the trainer.
I have a rain-bike which I often take out when the weather looks like possible-to-certain rain. And I put rain-bike on the trainer a few times this summer when it was pouring rain outside. I found some decent cycling videos on YouTube and downloaded some for use on both my laptop and my tablet. I created a garage setup where I can open the big car-door as well as run a couple fans.
I can easily enough log 5-6 miles per 20 minute session. Sometimes watching a video on my tablet and other times watching the news on my smartphone. I was kind of surprised to find I actually enjoyed the work-out. 20 minutes passes pretty quickly.
I should reach my goal of 2000 miles this year (barring accident, illness, injury, or other problems) with or without the trainer. I only have 222 miles left to ride. But I will be making sure I get my minimum aerobic exercise in this winter... with a little running and some indoor trainer usage. I also do some increased winter weight training in the colder months.
#53
Senior Member
You guys have had some good ideas. I've never tried cycling video...???? So will some day!
I only have one wheel for my road bike, so will get the old bike down and burn up my old stash of cheap or half used or million year old tires... Instead of burning up my road bike's. I won't go for a plus next time, something a bit more leg friendly...
Pulled off my pedals from road bike, and replaced candie 3's so now I have no excuse to be slow (HA!)... I'll rebuild old put it on old bike as rack it!
Intervals today were quite challenging! might have to consider a sweat pad below bike, or maybe a catch basin...
#54
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Re: tires - I usually keep the previous year's tire around, so I can use it for the next winter, and so on.
This year I'm just going straight to the trainer with the tires that are on it, because they both need replaced after two seasons of riding. Maybe I'll burn a hole in the rear with all the massive power I'll be putting out
This year I'm just going straight to the trainer with the tires that are on it, because they both need replaced after two seasons of riding. Maybe I'll burn a hole in the rear with all the massive power I'll be putting out
#55
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Thread Starter
Re: tires - I usually keep the previous year's tire around, so I can use it for the next winter, and so on.
This year I'm just going straight to the trainer with the tires that are on it, because they both need replaced after two seasons of riding. Maybe I'll burn a hole in the rear with all the massive power I'll be putting out
This year I'm just going straight to the trainer with the tires that are on it, because they both need replaced after two seasons of riding. Maybe I'll burn a hole in the rear with all the massive power I'll be putting out
I opted to take advantage of needing a beefier rim to put a dedicated trainer tire on my present rim. A bit pricey but for long term I think it will work out.
#56
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Cheaper then a cab ride from WAY out there!
#57
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#58
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Thread Starter
I don't have a fan there yet but this is where I'll be at when I'm using my trainer. I've got a laptop and speakers and when I get a new cable I'll add a monitor. A monitor isn't necessary but just a bit nicer.
Crappy pictures.
Crappy pictures.
#59
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Knighthood
Tire wear on trainers, yeah you will wear out a brand new tire in a winter of trainer rides. I know you have already purchased a new tire however for others that follow this thread might I recommend that they just buy a $20 23mm road tire from their LBS.
Trainer skewers fit in the trainer mounts better and work just fine as a road skewer year round. I only change mine out for non trainer use out of vanity, I like the look of my 105 skewers or a nicely shaped Mavic skewer.
Tire wear on trainers, yeah you will wear out a brand new tire in a winter of trainer rides. I know you have already purchased a new tire however for others that follow this thread might I recommend that they just buy a $20 23mm road tire from their LBS.
Trainer skewers fit in the trainer mounts better and work just fine as a road skewer year round. I only change mine out for non trainer use out of vanity, I like the look of my 105 skewers or a nicely shaped Mavic skewer.
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Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria
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#60
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I called and talked to a guy at the shop where I intend to buy the resistance rollers, the Sportcrafters ones.
Found out something cool...they work in conjuction with Trainerroad to give you a fairly accurate wattage output feedback as long as you have an ANT or Bluetooth speed/cadence sensor.
I am planning on getting the Garmin Edge 500 I think, but to use with the rollers it looks like I could just buy the speed/cadence sensor now for using with the rollers, then get the head unit when spring rolls around :-). I already have a Bluetooth USB dongle for my laptop.
Bluetooth vs ANT keeps tripping me up, I would need an ANT dongle....not a super big deal, another $25.
Bill
Found out something cool...they work in conjuction with Trainerroad to give you a fairly accurate wattage output feedback as long as you have an ANT or Bluetooth speed/cadence sensor.
I am planning on getting the Garmin Edge 500 I think, but to use with the rollers it looks like I could just buy the speed/cadence sensor now for using with the rollers, then get the head unit when spring rolls around :-). I already have a Bluetooth USB dongle for my laptop.
Bluetooth vs ANT keeps tripping me up, I would need an ANT dongle....not a super big deal, another $25.
Bill
Last edited by Willbird; 10-09-14 at 10:48 AM.
#61
Senior Member
We bought a spin bike at the end of last winter (around here I think that was around July, but really in March). Nice quiet magnetic resistance one. I was emailing back and forth with the wife about how many hours I need to spend on that thing this winter to both reach some weight goals and some tour/century rides I want to do next spring. I figure 3 days of HIIT a week and 2 leisurely 1 hour rides should get it done? I have a full season of Arrow to watch on Netflix, 25 episodes I think.
#62
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Thread Starter
We bought a spin bike at the end of last winter (around here I think that was around July, but really in March). Nice quiet magnetic resistance one. I was emailing back and forth with the wife about how many hours I need to spend on that thing this winter to both reach some weight goals and some tour/century rides I want to do next spring. I figure 3 days of HIIT a week and 2 leisurely 1 hour rides should get it done? I have a full season of Arrow to watch on Netflix, 25 episodes I think.
#63
Senior Member
One hour on a trainer is tough mentally. If you can teach yourself to zone out and pay attention to something else, such as your season of Arrow then it's doable. I'm just now getting on my trainer more (as weather sucks) and getting used to going nowhere while watching movies, etc.
#64
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One hour on a trainer is tough mentally. If you can teach yourself to zone out and pay attention to something else, such as your season of Arrow then it's doable. I'm just now getting on my trainer more (as weather sucks) and getting used to going nowhere while watching movies, etc.
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Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria
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#65
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I like to do the 45 minute spin class when i can... no mental challenge there... LOL! Now i also have a spin bike at home, but it's really tough to get 45 minutes on it... ugh...
Hoping that i can stay motivated through the winter, i picked up a new winter beater...
Took it out for it's first ride today...
Hoping that i can stay motivated through the winter, i picked up a new winter beater...
Took it out for it's first ride today...
#66
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Thread Starter
Most workouts worth doing that will give you benefits are tough mentally. The challenge is to find what motivates you to be mentally tough and do it. For me that is a combination of The Sufferfest and LBS group spinclass, not together. Much better to teach yourself to concentrate on keeping it hard. There is really not much benefit from riding a trainer at an easy effort IMHO, unless you are doing so for far in excess of an hour at a time.
I agree though some mental hurdles are harder than others. I'd rather go outside and do intervals until I bleed from the eyes than do more than 30 minutes of ANYTHING on a trainer. However I need to get my mind wrapped around the fact I'm going to do them and find a way to minimize the desire to stab myself with a fairly long bladed knife.
#67
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I WILL prevail and conquer :-). The mfg actually is where I will be buying them, they will let me try a set. They start people off in a doorway at first :-).
This guy here built something that might help with a lot of issues people seem to have starting out ??
Kreitler Roller Box II - YouTube
But it to some degree defeats the fold up and put out of the way parts of the roller design I am interested in. I like building stuff though so if it is needed, or wanted I always have stuff around to do something like he did.
Worst worst case if I turn out to be an utter and total failure at making them my beeatch...they do sell a fork stand to use with them as well :-).
Bill
This guy here built something that might help with a lot of issues people seem to have starting out ??
Kreitler Roller Box II - YouTube
But it to some degree defeats the fold up and put out of the way parts of the roller design I am interested in. I like building stuff though so if it is needed, or wanted I always have stuff around to do something like he did.
Worst worst case if I turn out to be an utter and total failure at making them my beeatch...they do sell a fork stand to use with them as well :-).
Bill
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Given my newbie status, would it be advisable to get something like a Schwinn or similar low budget exercise bicycle? I have a very nice and expensive treadmill but absolutely hate it - the Schwinn should be preferable I hope...
Any thoughts on such 'low budget' items? trying to keep it under $300-400.
Any thoughts on such 'low budget' items? trying to keep it under $300-400.
#69
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Given my newbie status, would it be advisable to get something like a Schwinn or similar low budget exercise bicycle? I have a very nice and expensive treadmill but absolutely hate it - the Schwinn should be preferable I hope...
Any thoughts on such 'low budget' items? trying to keep it under $300-400.
Any thoughts on such 'low budget' items? trying to keep it under $300-400.
For just riding around you can go low budget if the bike is quality enough for you to ride. It doesn't help if you go cheap but then won't ride the thing. It also does no good to spend way way too much if you don't need it for the foreseeable future. For $300-400 you can get a tremendous bike especially if you go used.
To hook up to a trainer I use my best bike, which is a Raleigh Revenio 2.0 as well as my other bike which is a Cannondale Quick 5 (hybrid). You can use ANY bike as long as you will get on it and pedal. Be aware that trainers are known to eat tires so get a dedicated trainer tire or another that you don't mind to get chewed up.
#70
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I got introduced to rollers last winter and they really helped me. For me rollers are a skill drill not a fitness or endurance building exercise. If your fit on the bike has your weight well balanced front to rear you'll do fine. If you've got too much weight on the front end rollers can be tough. It took me three trips bouncing off the garage floor until I got the hang of them. Have fun and let us know how it goes.
These come two ways, low resistance that tops out at about 200 watts, or resistance model will eat up over 800 watts, the resistance unit you can flip the drum one way for resistance, or the other way for a lot lower level (he said about 5%).
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What's the collective's opinion on such things for an hour of riding every day? here in Indiana winter is not the easiest (with limited daylight and windchill being the biggest issues for me).
#72
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I have a few winter plans in the works:
1) Ride my road bike through October
2) Spin class starts in November (my bike on trainer).
3) Also have a stationary at home.
4) Signed up for Zwift Beta
5) Setting up an ice bike with studded offroad tires.
Its an ambitious list. If I can keep up on even a few of them I'll be happy.
1) Ride my road bike through October
2) Spin class starts in November (my bike on trainer).
3) Also have a stationary at home.
4) Signed up for Zwift Beta
5) Setting up an ice bike with studded offroad tires.
Its an ambitious list. If I can keep up on even a few of them I'll be happy.
#73
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Neither. A stationary exercise bicycle like a low-end Schwinn Airdyne AD2 Amazon.com : Schwinn AD2 Airdyne Exercise Bike : Sports & Outdoors
What's the collective's opinion on such things for an hour of riding every day? here in Indiana winter is not the easiest (with limited daylight and windchill being the biggest issues for me).
What's the collective's opinion on such things for an hour of riding every day? here in Indiana winter is not the easiest (with limited daylight and windchill being the biggest issues for me).
#74
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One BIG difference for me anyway is that any stationary bike I have tried so far does NOT give me "credit" for my saddle time on a real bike, maybe some will allow using the exact same saddle type you use on an actual bike, but the ones at the YMCA are not designed for a cyclists rear end.
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That's the main reason we have our own spin bike, I can swap saddles to my heart content. I am currently riding an Adamo Typhoon on my bike and that or potentially another Adamo saddle will go on my spin bike for the winter. Those large arse seats on the gym stationary bikes are terrible.