Indoor bike trainer

[Ash]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm looking for advice about where I can find a good budget stationary bike trainer preferably one where the tyres do not come into contact with the stand due to the need to buy a separate turbo trainer tyre to avoid wear and tear. Been looking at magnetic, direct drive, rollers and fluid none of them fit the bill. Its for 26" MTB.

TIA

[Eyebrox]

You can use a part worn MTB tyre on a standard budget turbo trainer. Not perfect and can overheat but will do if you want to get started without spending a lot.

[TrevA]

The cheapest direct drive trainer is £500. It’s far cheaper to buy a wheel on trainer and spend £30 on a trainer specific tyre.

There are magnetic trainers which magnets to create resistance. The STAC Zero is one

https://www.staczero.com/hero

I’ve no idea how much they cost though.

[rmurphy195]

Jusr use any cheap tyre, a special trainer tyre costs loads of dosh!

[nomm]

Never thought I would ever train indoors but I have just bought some decent second hand metal rollers (lockdown 3.0 and a lack of miles was taking its toll) - tricky at first but after an hour you can't believe how easy it is.

They are adjustable for all wheel sizes (including 26") and while not "smart" a cheap cadence meter and a smart phone (+audio books) have made training indoors enjoyable and supposedly improving my form all the time. There is also a separate resistance unit for them if I am feeling fancy in the future.

I have always hated spin classes and static cycling, but these are different, although terrifying at first

[TrevA]

I got my little used Elite E Force turbo out the other day. GCN have a number of 30-40 minute training videos on their new channel GCN Training. Did a 30 minute workout with a 5 minute warm up and warm down - basically 30 second sprints with ever decreasing rest periods, this made the turbo just about bearable. I felt I’d had a decent workout afterwards.

[Beagler]

Got a Stages indoor trainer last September and use the Kinomap app. Kept me sane during lockdown.

[Jupestar]

Why don’t the ones you’ve been looking at fit the Bill? 15years on and off rollers, I did quite a lot of research before I brought my direct drive turbo recently. That suited me as I wanted something immersive, able to simulate terrain and most importantly small enough to keep out the way..

My mate had completely different priorities and got a dedicated indoor bike. Made sense for her as no interest in having a road bike, or swapping wheels etc.

Rollers suited me previously cause I only had a commuter bike and I could just Chuck it on without worrying too much about trashing them with the debris that came off it.

[VinceLedge]

You have discounted direct drive trainers, not sure why as these are used with the back wheel removed? Obviously more expensive overall.