Best Turbo Trainers

Turbo trainers and rollers allow you to train whatever the weather. They are also great for warming up for a race. A few quick advantages of turbo trainers

• Safe – protected from cars
• Allow you to do interval sessions uninterrupted by traffic lights e.t.c.
• Make it easier to measure performance (you can isolate more factors like wind)

What to Look for in a Turbo Trainer

• Matches your existing road bike set up and feel
• Relatively quiet
• Easy to assemble, carry to race and put bike in.
• Reliable
• Variable resistance settings so you can train for high cadence / low cadence.

Some of the Best Turbo Trainers

Lemond Revolution Turbo Trainer

• This is most innovative turbo trainer since it was invented. Rather than putting wheel on a roller, you simply remove your back wheel and put your chain onto a cassette which is hooked up to a turbo resistance and lock in rear dropouts. This enables you to replicate the feel of riding a road bike exactly.
• There is a progressive resistance, the faster you pedal the more resistance comes so there is a natural change, not the jerky feel you get with many turbos
• The frame is very stable and so is best turbo for sprinting and out of the saddle work – useful for warm ups.
• Fits all road bikes, though you need an adapter for Campagnolo.

• Is heavy and bulkier at 32lbs (14KGs) – it doesn’t fold up so small as other turbos
• It is quiet expensive, unless you use it a lot.
• It is noisier than other turbos. There are several places (e.g. early morning warm ups) where you couldn’t use this.
• You can’t use your hub based power meter or speedometer. (You can buy their power meter computer)

Elite Chrono Fluid Turbo Trainer

Cycle Ops Rollers

Rollers offer a slightly different experience to a turbo, you don’t have to make any modifications, just get on bike (and with a little help to retain balance as you get going) start pedalling. These aluminium Cycle Ops Rollers are is £175.

• Rollers help improve bike handling
• Give more realistic feel
• Are relatively quiet

Downside

• bigger and heavier to carry around
• Can be difficult to get started and stop – you may need something to give balance
• At low speed and low cadence harder to maintain balance – not great for low rev power training sessions.
• Cycle Ops Rollers at Wiggle

Cheapest Turbo Trainers

Elite Volare

You don’t have to spend over £100 on a turbo. A basic turbo can do the job for less than £100

This Elite Volare is a basic aluminium frame with mag resistance. I’ve used a similar version to this for quite a few years. It suits my needs and does everything I want to. Personally, I’d rather save my money on turbos and spend on lightweight tubulars. But, then I don’t spend all winter training on one.

Elite Volare £89.99 at Evans Cycles

Conclusion

Make sure you know what you want from a turbo

• Does it need to be quiet? – get a mag flywheel like Elite Chrono
• Does it need to be portable – Elite Volare basic aluminium
• Do you need to spend a lot of money? – not necessarily you can get one for less than £100
• Variable resistance is definitely helpful

Related

• Turbo trainers at Evans Cycles
• Turbo and roller trainers at Wiggle

Articles on turbos

• Tips for using turbo trainers
• Turbos vs Rollers
• Turbo Tyre at Wiggle
• Quietest turbo trainers
• 5 Best Turbo Trainers at Treds