Spin bike?

Frannybobs

Hi,

With the weather not being very co-operative at the moment I am doing most my workouts at home on the Wii, which is fine, but I'm missing cycling. I have started thinking about getting a spin bike at home, from what I've read it's closer to real cycling than a normal stationary bike. I don't want to get a trainer at the moment as I only have a hybrid but I might hopefully be getting a proper road bike this year, in which case I may sell the spin bike and get a trainer instead. But for now I'm thinking spinning for interval training and keeping cycling fitness up.

Has anyone got one or got any recommendations (UK based for where to buy from)?

Cheers,
Fran

daz_automatic

I'd say spin bikes are a lot closer to real cycling that the traditional exercise bike, but still not entirely the same.

I considered getting one for home use too, but honestly I doubt how motivating I would find it. When I do spin on my own at the gym, despite getting a good burn, it can be a heart-hearted compared to how I perform in a studio class.

Do you have any local gyms which offer spin classes? Maybe that is a better option if you've never done spinning yet? Just to get a feel for it.

Frannybobs

Thanks Daz, was trying to avoid gyms and gym fees as I'm unlikely to use it other than in winter. I thought the spin bike might be a good way of doing heart rate zone training as well and different workouts, hills especially - you can get a few workouts online I've noticed, and there were some in a recent issue of Cycling Plus I think...

rides4sanity

I love spin, but like Daz I'm not as motivated outside of the gym atmosphere. Snow has a great set of videos she uses to amp up the at home work called Sufferfest. Check it out.

I hate gym fees also, so I got my fitness certification so I could teach spin. It doesn't pay much, but I do get a free membership and it forces me to spin twice a week, which is nice during those times where I am less than motivated. I used to teach all sorts of classes, but now I only sub Strength, Bootcamp and heaven help me Step from time to time.

cloggsy71

After I did a couple of spin classes I contemplated getting one at home and searched on eBay.

A used one comes up on there every now and again...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Exercise-Fitness-/15273/i.html?_nkw=spin+bike

dtpss188

I know little about the actual "spin" bikes. However, I have a stationary bike, a trainer, and rollers. I far prefer the trainer and rollers over the stationary bike. Why not use your hybrid on a trainer? As long as the tires are not too knobby I would think it should work. My wife has had a mountain bike on the trainer with knobby tires and it worked fine. Of course if you fine it challenging to work out at home vs. the gym (spin classes) then that is another story. Good luck.

cloggsy71

My wife has had a mountain bike on the trainer with knobby tires and it worked fine.

You'd be better with a trainer-specific tyre; there are a few manufacturers do them - I use Schwalbe Insider's, they're bright blue :laugh:

http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/turbo-training/insider/

BrianSharpe

We use spinning bikes at my tri club but I still prefer using my trainer, +1 on the suggestion to put a trainer tire on your hybrid and get a trainer rather than a spinning bike. You may also want to have a look at a series of DVDs called Spinervals - some great workouts and suitable for any type of bike (spinning or road/hybrid etc on a trainer)

Frannybobs

Great - thanks all for the advice - for some reason I thought trainers were just for proper road bikes. The hybrid I have is closer to a road bike - Specialized Vita Elite, has thin (but not as thin as a road bike) tyres which are pretty smooth and rigid forks. I'll have a look into it as sounds a better option as will be able to use it if (sorry, *when*) I get a road bike!!

sillygoosie

I got a spin bike at the beginning of the off season. I love it and I'm on it about 4 times a week. It does help to have some spinning dvds to stay challenged. I find myself slacking just a bit if I'm only riding with music.

Pedal_Pusher

buy a cycle ops fluid trainer. They rule.

TheBigYin

if the hybrid has 26" or 700c tyres then you'll be fine with a turbo trainer.

FrenchMob

Get a trainer for your bike.

http://www.probikekit.com/ca/training-performance/turbo-trainers-cycle-rollers.html

Those guys are out of the UK. Go for a CycleOps or Kurt Kinetic machine.

Frannybobs

OK, so now I'm definitely leaning towards the trainer side of things - but need to learn more about turbo trainers and rollers, so will do some online research. My tyres on the hybrid are 700 x 28c - seems like they'll be okay...

Gapwedge01

OK, so now I'm definitely leaning towards the trainer side of things - but need to learn more about turbo trainers and rollers, so will do some online research. My tyres on the hybrid are 700 x 28c - seems like they'll be okay...

That tire size will work just fine. The reason a trainer tire is recommended (I have a yellow Continental) is 1- they stay cool, and 2- you don't wear out the center of your tire. I use a Cycleops Jet Fluid Trainer for what it is worth.

TheBigYin

probably one of the better budget options according to the Cycling Plus grouptest late last year was the Cycleops Mag Trainer, or if you can stretch a few quid more the Mag+ with on-bike tension adjuster...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=39522

definitely budget for a trainer tyre if you can though - not only do treaded road tyres overheat and shred up, but you pretty much wear a flat-top in them, and if you then ride 'em on the road, it makes cornering "interesting" :laugh:

Frannybobs

Yes I think I saw that article that reviewed about 10 different trainers - unfortunately I recycled the mag and didn't keep it as I wasn't thinking of getting a trainer until next Winter when I might have a road bike, I just assumed they wouldn't be any good for a hybrid! But that one does ring a bell and came out well - thanks - going to have a proper look online over the weekend :-)

Frannybobs

This one is reduced and I think Tacx is a good name? It has a brake as well as the 10 resistance levels - is that good?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=86561

Frannybobs

Or this one - also Tacx?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-satori-high-power-cycle-trainer/

TheBigYin

the Satori's used by a bunch of the pro teams as their warmup trainer, mainly I think because it can generate BIG resistance at low pedalling rates (which can mean that it'll be a little "choppy" at low resistance/easy spinning unless you've legs on you like Fabian Cancellara!). To be honest, I don't really massively rate the lower end Tacx trainers (despite having one of their silly money ones...) Also, to be frank, the customer support isn't great (unless of course you can write emails in dutch...) - even for the £1000+ machines.

Frannybobs

Thanks, TBY, yes don't think I'll be generating the same power as the pros

To be honest thinking if I need to factor in a mat (I have wooden floors) and tyres then I should keep at the lower end - Mag+ looks good and the Minoura B60-R has good reviews on a few sites too.

By the way, the Garmin Edge 800 will work with a turbo trainer won't it - do I need to get anything extra for it?

Thanks!

lisapr123

I have a Spinner Pro spin bike and a Cycle Ops trainer. I love the spin bike, not so much the trainer (even though I love the bike I ride while on the trainer). We bought the spin bike on line and had it shipped to us.

The spin bike came with a few videos, but we did have to buy a computer for $150 to have MPH, RPM, distance, etc... data. I also subscribe to The Gym Box (web tv), whicch gives me at least 2 new spin workouts every week. It also gives me access to old workouts so I never get bored.

The Cycle Ops trainer came with a video or two as well. It's fine, I just don't feel as stable on it. It doesn't feel like the road to me. I like to do a lot of standing climbs and it feels odd on the trainer.

cloggsy71

the Garmin Edge 800 will work with a turbo trainer won't it - do I need to get anything extra for it?

It should but you need to ask TBY, he'll tell you

TheBigYin

Thanks, TBY, yes don't think I'll be generating the same power as the pros

To be honest thinking if I need to factor in a mat (I have wooden floors) and tyres then I should keep at the lower end - Mag+ looks good and the Minoura B60-R has good reviews on a few sites too.

By the way, the Garmin Edge 800 will work with a turbo trainer won't it - do I need to get anything extra for it?

Thanks!

definitely factor in a mat if you've got wooden floors - the Tacx mat is overpriced for what it is - try the minoura or cycleop ones. Without the mat the racket from my trainer is terrible on the kitchen parquet. Plus, and there's no nice way of putting this - it'll catch the sweat... Perhaps also budget for a good electric fan if you havent already got one...

Tyres - well I've got the continental one, it's been great, but it was a complete and utter PIG to fit - ended up leaving it in a pan of hot water for 30 minutes then fitting it while it was hot, otherwise it wouldn't go over the rim on my Fulcrums. Then again, every tyre other than Vittoria's are like that on initial fitting with the Fulcrums, maybe it's just "italian sizing" :laugh:

Garmin 800 will work fine with the trainer, provided you've got the GCS10 cadence/speed sensor - I have a specific "trainer" profile set up in the 800, using a fixed wheel diameter (rather than the GPS calculated one) and simply select "trainer" and then menu/spanner/system/gps/GPS Mode = off. The head unit then stops looking for satelites and takes all its data from the GSC10 for distance/speed etc.

cloggsy71

Thanks, TBY, yes don't think I'll be generating the same power as the pros

To be honest thinking if I need to factor in a mat (I have wooden floors) and tyres then I should keep at the lower end - Mag+ looks good and the Minoura B60-R has good reviews on a few sites too.

By the way, the Garmin Edge 800 will work with a turbo trainer won't it - do I need to get anything extra for it?

Thanks!

definitely factor in a mat if you've got wooden floors - the Tacx mat is overpriced for what it is - try the minoura or cycleop ones. Without the mat the racket from my trainer is terrible on the kitchen parquet. Plus, and there's no nice way of putting this - it'll catch the sweat... Perhaps also budget for a good electric fan if you havent already got one...

Tyres - well I've got the continental one, it's been great, but it was a complete and utter PIG to fit - ended up leaving it in a pan of hot water for 30 minutes then fitting it while it was hot, otherwise it wouldn't go over the rim on my Fulcrums. Then again, every tyre other than Vittoria's are like that on initial fitting with the Fulcrums, maybe it's just "italian sizing" :laugh:

Garmin 800 will work fine with the trainer, provided you've got the GCS10 cadence/speed sensor - I have a specific "trainer" profile set up in the 800, using a fixed wheel diameter (rather than the GPS calculated one) and simply select "trainer" and then menu/spanner/system/gps/GPS Mode = off. The head unit then stops looking for satelites and takes all its data from the GSC10 for distance/speed etc.

Told ya he'd know :laugh:

Frannybobs

By the way, the Garmin Edge 800 will work with a turbo trainer won't it - do I need to get anything extra for it?

Thanks!

Garmin 800 will work fine with the trainer, provided you've got the GCS10 cadence/speed sensor - I have a specific "trainer" profile set up in the 800, using a fixed wheel diameter (rather than the GPS calculated one) and simply select "trainer" and then menu/spanner/system/gps/GPS Mode = off. The head unit then stops looking for satelites and takes all its data from the GSC10 for distance/speed etc.

Told ya he'd know :laugh:

Thanks guys, really appreciate your considered input - hope I can be as knowledgable and helpful one day!!

I was going to get the GSC10 in the New Year anyway to help with my training in Spring so it's on my list. So now it's Trainer, Mat, GSC10 and tyres, !! So there are trainer specific tyres, interesting - will have to look into that too.

Which trainer do you reckon would suit me best - the Mag+ or the Minoura B60-R ? (Sorry, I promise I'll stop pinging back more questions soon!!!)

TheBigYin

at that end of the market, £20-30 can make a big difference to the build quality - can't actually say anything about the Minoura but the Cycleops stuff is usually pretty well made. At least it's only Tyre - not Tyres - just need one for the back. Oh - and don't whatever you do forget you've got the trainer tyre on and go out on the road... the trainer tyre compound and profile is such that you'll be lucky to get around the first corner.

:embarassed: Don't ask me how i know that. :embarassed:

Frannybobs

Haha oops!!

That's the other thing - isn't it a faff to keep changing tyres for outdoor rides then indoor sessions- I don't know if that would put me off using it, but you guys seem to do a pretty good mixture....unless you've got different bikes for each?!

TheBigYin

well - I've got 2 sets of wheels - the posh light summer and rufty-tufty heavy winter wheels - in summer, I've got the back wheel from the winter set fitted with the trainer tyre - in winter, the summer back wheel gets the trainer tyre. I can go from outside to indoor spec. in as long as it takes to swap a back wheel.