Making a dumb trainer smart

[Zach Linde]

So I am busy with a budget challenge trying to do build a cheap indoor virtual training setup, looking at some smart trainers which the proper ones start at like R3.5k, but then I was wondering wouldn't it be possible to buy a dumb trainer add a speed sensor and virtual ride like that the question is which dumb trainer is the softest and is the magene speed sensor a good choice heard great things about it, going to get myself a training tire etc, will eventually upgrade to off wheel trainer.

Any advice or recommendations? 

[The Ouzo]

I did something like this during Covid lockdown. Added a speed sensor to my bike and tried a few Zwift rides.

the biggest issue for me was that without the dynamic resistance changes to the trainer, when you hit a hill you simply fly past everyone else.

I did a couple of sessions and then just reverted to watching cycling videos on the laptop whilst riding.

[RobertWhitehead]

Let me know if and when you need a training tire, I've got 5 or 6 Continentals for a 26er wheel. If you want to go budget a 26er rear wheel will be perfect 

[no calves]

1 hour ago, Zach Linde said:

So I am busy with a budget challenge trying to do build a cheap indoor virtual training setup, looking at some smart trainers which the proper ones start at like R3.5k, but then I was wondering wouldn't it be possible to buy a dumb trainer add a speed sensor and virtual ride like that the question is which dumb trainer is the softest and is the magene speed sensor a good choice heard great things about it, going to get myself a training tire etc, will eventually upgrade to off wheel trainer.

Any advice or recommendations? 

Zwift and a few others does support dumb trainers. go have a look. OTHERWISE, the old saris/cycplops trainers are going for very cheap here and are good options to look at for a smart wheel on trainer

 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/indoor-trainers-and-accessories/906298/cycle-ops-smart-trainer

Edited 4 hours ago by no calves
added a link

[Zach Linde]

4 minutes ago, no calves said:

Zwift and a few others does support dumb trainers. go have a look. OTHERWISE, the old saris/cycplops trainers are going for very cheap here and are good options to look at for a smart wheel on trainer

 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/indoor-trainers-and-accessories/906298/cycle-ops-smart-trainer

Yea, I have found that spending like a R1000 more you might be able to get one like this which I recon would be more enjoyable as there is dynamic resistance tied to it as it can connect to Zwift etc etc.

[Zach Linde]

1 hour ago, RobertWhitehead said:

Let me know if and when you need a training tire, I've got 5 or 6 Continentals for a 26er wheel. If you want to go budget a 26er rear wheel will be perfect 

Hi, thanks but I actually got a road bike that is 700c.

[KingZA]

During COVID I did a lot of riding with my dumb trainer which was a wheel on cycleops trainer.

I had Zwift paired up to the powermeter on my bike so my input was realistic and I could do the races or intervals properly. The only downside really is that the trainer wont adjust to the gradient and you need to use your gears to get the intensity correct for any interval. But it worked and it was fun and kept me sane during those lockdowns.