"Virtual" Trainer, C&V Compatibility?
 

I just started riding again last spring, inspired to get back onto local roads with the C&V Motobecane I bought early in '72.

It's a lot more fun to ride than the Kona Dew+ I bought before I 'renovated' the MB after a decade+ hiatus.

Winter's here, no fooling. No riding outdoors 'till maybe late April.

So, question: is my kind of 120OLD frame wearing 700c rims compatible with something like Zwift?

Not at all confident I could safely handle just rollers for indoor. Want something more 'virtual' that also offers stability. All comments welcome.

Something like a regular tacx trainer would do fine. They are easily and cheaply found second-hand, if you want to try it out. Just make sure the connection is made for quick-releases, as in this picture, and not for modern disc brakes.
If you want more luxury, please let us know what you are looking for.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...70a7c13406.jpg
Tacx-T2650-Blue-Matic-Foldin~Turbo-Trainer

For southern Wisconsin, how about just getting out on cross-country skis? There haven't been many opportunities in central Illinois for some time, but quite a few of my bike friends would get together in the local parks for some laps. Definitely a good way to get outside for some exercise and you don't even have to clean up a bike afterwards! If you miss gluing on sew-ups, you can get skis that need to be waxed (I've got a pair).

For vintage indoor riding, I think rollers are the obvious choice. I don't think they are dangerous, but I learned to ride them back when I was young and healed quickly. :)

Steve in Peoria
(managed to ride 25 miles today before the storm arrives)

Why'zat? No SNOW?

That's gonna change, at least for a bit...

I learned to X/C back in the '70's, not long after getting in/onto my MB. Loved it! Did a lot of it both in IL & WI with my soon-to-be spouse. Stuck with it (as best as I could) up through the early '90's. There were even times I'd take my skis to work in Chicago so I could ski in Lincoln Park & east of LSD by the lake before making the drive home once the traffic'd settled out.

I have a pair of 'waxless' Rottefella's I bought after moving up here, used em exactly three times. They're hung by the garage door, ready & waiting. What I'll wake up to tomorrow will frustrate me even more coming at a time I'm disinclined to click in & go while I'm still in 'recovery' mode.

Relatively inexpensive too I suppose, but not having learned how half a century ago, I'm looking for something less akin to a treadmill.

Good on you! Make the best of every day, eh!

Closing on 75 I do what I believe is best I can.

Right now I'm recovering from a bout with RSV that's kept me home from work the last week. Nasty stuff despite nary a hint of fever. Not something to take outside & subject my lungs to when temp's hovering around freezing.

If it continues to snow (enough to ski on) now that it looks like it's making a serious attempt, and the temps don't drop in to the single digits afterward, I'd still like to get on those sticks I would.

Thanks for that! You've opened a door I didn't know existed. Seems that's one of Garmin's product lines? Had an on/off relationship with some of their other stuff over the years.

I'll look into those. May be something there at a price point that's attractive.

A wheel on smart trainer is the easiest way to use an old bike on Zwift or similar power output based interface. I use a Wahoo KICKR snap. The doohickey to attach the bike to the trainer is similar to that pictured on the Tackx trainer above, except mine has a little notch to accommodate the QR lever axle. The width is adjustable on mine to accommodate a wide range of OLD.

I use a similar setup to [MENTION=396646]Spaghetti Legs[/MENTION]: Wahoo kickr smart trainer and an 80s Lemond road bike. You don’t need a rear wheel, and I think my spacing is 126mm. Just did a Zwift workout as it snowed a couple of inches here yesterday. Zwift has made indoor riding a thousand times more enjoyable than previously when I was on a wind trainer.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...be4b3a6e1.jpeg

Thanks for that! Reinforces what @DanseMacabre posted.

Maybe post a pic or two please?

Now that I have some suggestions I've been grazing the 'net, learning much about what's out there in this realm. That I have two bikes that I could potentially use – even though the classic MB is the one I favor – gives me more flexibility. The MB doesn't look to be too 'wheelless' -capable, what with its traditional 5-sp freewheel. The Kona OTOH, though the heavier bike, may offer more utility if it stays 'married' to a DD trainer most of the time.

Keep 'em coming please!

Excellent [MENTION=45088]nlerner[/MENTION]! Thanks!!

Would it be convenient for you to snap then post a pic or two of the drive-side interconnection you have on that combo please? Help me wrap my head around how a freewheel-equipped bike ties to one of these trainer things?

Looks like I have an 8-speed cassette on there so spacing must be 130mm. Not sure if you’d have to use spacers of some sort with a 120mm frame. Also, I never change gears as the trainer deals with changing resistance, so I could be running a single speed.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0f20ee918.jpeg

Super! Thanks! That answers lots of questions, the biggest being: cassette / FW? Doesn't matter! As long as chain fits the drive it can work!

I'm sure spacers would be involved for safety with a narrow OLD compared to what's more typical now with much wider sets of cogs in back.

I think in your case you're better off with a wheel-on trainer, like the Kick'r Snap. BUT it might have a 130mm minimum requirement for the QR, which you can fix with 4 mm of washers on each side.

With that, and a cadence sensor, and maybe a heart rate monitor, you'd be completely good to go on Zwift. Just make sure to cover the bike with towels or something for the sweat. I use a sweat guard which fits over the headset and most of the top tube, and a towel that covers the bar tape. The trainer sits on a yoga mat, and I put an old bath towel on top of that. And it's on a tile floor, because the sweat doesn't stay confined to the area directly under me. Oh! And get a couple box fans. You'll need 'em!

Check!

Check!

I'm thinking basement for now, concrete floor. Cool-ish too! Still...

Check!

Have one already, they''re cheap enough!

I run two, generally. But during Fire Season, I have been known to run a third which is more powerful than the other two combined, if I have to take to the garage because of smoke.