Coffin Dodger

Last year I managed to improve my fitness levels greatly by going for a ride 2-3 evenings a week when getting in from work. Riding really suits me, running just seems to completely knacker my body (dodgy back etc.) and I hate swimming. It really started to make a difference to me but then the evenings got dark, wet and cold and the bike got put away for the winter. As result I'm as fat as I ever was and definitely looking forward to the clocks changing so I can get back into the routine again.

In preparation for riding again and for the dark evenings later on this year and then next I was thinking of getting a turbo trainer. It seems possible to get a 2nd hand one on eBay for next to nothing (perhaps indicating it may be a white elephant). Is it sensible to use one with a mountain bike? I appreciate I'll either need to change the tyres to slicks and/or get a second set of wheels. The bike is also full suspension and pre-dates when they started putting suspension lock outs on. I guess just putting plenty of air pressure into the rear shock would make it stiff enough.

I've got a garage so can easily set it all up out there and churn away for an hour or so.

It's either that or get a road bike and start using it come rain, wind or shine.

Thanks for any advice offered

SJ_Skyline

I borrowed a turbo trainer after having knee surgery and as I didn't have either an exercise bike or a road bike I used it with my mountain bike with offroad tyres and in short, it's incredibly noisy without slick tyres.

For me, it served its purpose being able to complete 1 revolution up until I was comfortable for 5 minutes before suffering earache.

Best of luck

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

I was thinking about something liek this for my MTB. Is there something out there that can also connect up to a TV so it looks like you are actually going somewhere rather than just cycling away in your spare room?

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Road bike & use it all the time

How far away from work do you live? If you can, commute by bike if only for part of it.

If its garage, then you might as well just get a cross trainer & do your arms as well.

hodgy0_2

i use free standing rollers -- at least you have to concentrate a bit, come off and you are heading straight for the garage door!!!

SJ_Skyline

It migth be a bit obvious but have you considered leaving the door open to help mitigate this risk?

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

get out on it ya big jessy !

I ride my bike in all weathers , not in the ice obviously , get the proper clothing and lights , it will a hell of a lot more interesting than sitting looking at the wall.

davyboy

They are so boring. I've hardly used my rollers since I got them.

You'd be better off using a gym, or buying some lights (or go out at weekends) and warmer winter clothes.

Coffin Dodger

I would love to have the option of a cycle commute to work, problem is it's 40mile round trip (on the motorways, probably further on the lanes) and we have no showers at work Can't get the train as it's either too early or late + I think there bike policy is to not take them at peak times.

I did consider dumping the car half way last summer and may still do that at some point

Coffin Dodger

There is one that hooks up to a pc and you can ride different stages with it adjusting the resistance accordingly Costs a lot though.

Probably better off just watching normal TV to relieve the boredom while spinning away

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

Tacx T1940 with TTS 3.0 and the steering rack would be awesome as you can download GPS coordinates to it and use google maps, so you could pedal around anywhere you want.

But it is nearly 900 quid in the UK, fortunately it is less than that in euros over here so may be interested!

IWatkins

Problem is, you will be bored crapless with a trainer.

Get some decent lights and go out in the dark.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

^^ looks like an excuse to me

Look over at the commuting section on the BikeRadar forum & you will see guys that do 20+ mile commutes

njkmrs

Get to the gym .
I always manage an extra 10 /15 mins when taking a sneaky peek at some birds Jugs bouncing about whilst shes on a cross trainer .!!!!!

scoobyboy

i do a 15 mile round trip 6 days a week to work and back in all weathers except snow!! to hard to cycle on snow,
i've got fit and lost 4 stone in a year whilst still eating what i want so man up stop being a wuss and get out there!!!

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Just get some lights, turbo trainers are for fannies !

Gordo

How about a Watt bike?

http://wattbike.com/uk/

gtijames

i bought one for exactly the same reasons as you.i got a cycle ops jet pro turbo trainer off ebay for a bargain price.i use it about 3 times a week at the moment,strangely i have started to develop a sore knee so maybe im overdoing it but i love it.
when you buy one get the proper trainer tyre or yo will just rip a normal tyre to bits,buy a big fan as you will sweat buckets.finally get some good dvds from sufferfest to train with.

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

Tell you what hard man, get ya lycra ponce pants on then come and test your lights in the black forest from december to april then revise your comments.