Buying a Trainer or not

[vanniri]

I?ve been using a roller since I arrived in Brazil (9 months ago), a combination or work, crime, rain, traffic and distance (oops - nearly forgot the wife) result in me only being able to mtb once a week on the dirt and once a week on tar.

 

I only use a HR monitor.

 

My advice will be:

 

a) Use a slick tyre

b) Buy a seperate wheelset for the rear. Not only do you not have to change the tyre, but your expensive hub will be saved the abuse as a result of too much pre-load on bearings - the clamp mech results in more binding than suitable, i.e. more wear and tear.

c) Get hold of interval programs to do on the trainer. You will only need entertainment (TV, etc.) when warming-up or cooling down, the rest of the time you should be too tired. I?ve done base training on a gym bicycle in winter in Kosovo for 3 hours or more with either no electricity or when the electricity was working having to listen to Albanian folk songs. I am still in therapy as a result.

d) Use good weather days or week-ends to do get some real time in the saddle.

 

Other considerations:

 

I have had no adverse effect on the frame (carbon bling nogal), maybe I will regret it later. Sure to post something on the hub if anything happens.

 

Using a power meter should be beneficial - but expensive and keeping track of your speed and difficulty setting (see explanation in a post above) on the trainer should result in constant power. If you?re HR decrease over time while keeping the other two constant you?re on the right track.