Comments on: Indoor Cycling Training for the Winter

By: Lieven Soens

Lieven Soens — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:33:03 +0000

You don’t ride inside for the thrill of imaginary sprints over carpet-covered floors. You ride inside because you’re serious about training—even when the conditions outside are seriously rough.Because your training goals don’t change based on the weather, you demand performance from an indoor cycle in your home that is as responsive, comfortable and effective as the bike you ride outside. The Pro 300PT is the best choice!! Off-season?? Yeah right!! Best regards from Belgium. Lieven S.

By: Brice

Brice — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:22:58 +0000

Rollers are a greating training aid. I had a set which used a magnetic resistence unit. Riding them requires you to intensely focus on keeping yourself in the center of the rollers. I use a step stool to start and stop. Training on rollers is great training for your spin. Speed safe…

By: Palle Bratholm

Palle Bratholm — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:18:35 +0000

And just for the record: Riding rollers is very far from “no resistance”. You have at least three options:1) Buy rollers with small diameter drums2) Buy a “fan-type” addon for your rollers3) Use the gears of your road bike for varying resistance.I have “lived happily” for a year with my pair of “TACXS” rollers and I can assure you the towel for the top tube is not just for show, even though I only opt for No. 3 above AND allways train outdoor.For more info see the website of Kreitler – they also have a chart of the speed – power relationship for different drum diameters with and without an addon resistance.http://www.kreitler.com

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:16:39 +0000

Hi All,I’ve personally owned a Minoura Trainer for a little over a year now and I love it. I have to agree with the comments about taking care getting on and off, particularly with using Clipless, you need to take care with your footing both mounting and dismounting. There are a number of Trainers on the market and although it comes down to personal choice I bought (and like) the Minoura VFS-G. It’s a Fluid Trainer with a heavy flywheel as well as remote adjustable magnetic resistance for when you want to imagine you’re climbing the Alps. Couple this with something like the Spinervals Series of DVDs and you can train to any level you want. I’ve found no difficulty in training at anywhere from 60 to 90% heartrate on it and agree with Samuel that the biggest problem is boredom which is why I like the Spinervals DVD’s (or a good movie).

By: Kirk

Kirk — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:14:02 +0000

If you have never used rollers before, its not as easy as it looks. Set yourself up in a doorway to start. You use the door jambs for support if things get a little scary. Stay focused or you will be in trouble before you know it. Forget a water bottle on your frame to start. Just concentrate on trying to stay centered on the rollers. They will look real narrow when you first get rolling. Drape a towel over your bars / toptube, dripping sweet makes a mess of alum and possibly your bikes finish. Remember when dismounting you are probably 3-4 inches higher then usual. Have fun

By: Clinton Slayton

Clinton Slayton — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:12:44 +0000

There are lots of good media presentations for specific training, and I use these to keep on pace, instead of daydreaming about crossing the Galibier line with my arms up. I arrange an oscillating fan about ten feet away, a towel on the top tube, and PLENTY of hydration; not that I am Eddie Merckx or anything, but if you watch La Course en Tete, you can see that you will sweat gallons because there is no real wind or sun to evaporate (unless you do your indoor training outdoors, I have seen that, too), and keeping topped up is easy to forget until you have done some damage.

By: Lewis A. Songer

Lewis A. Songer — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:11:41 +0000

Thanks for the tips on indoor winter training. I am on the verge of buying one and have heard different stories about magnetic versus fluid. Any advise on which is better?