UKC

Turning into a hamster for the winter and have invested in one of these.

How necessary is it to buy the special tyres for using on Turbos.

And is it worth me getting the Tacx mat(is it that good) ,or will any mat do?

Thanks.

In reply to andymac:
A turbo will wear out your tyre more than normal road riding. You could get a dedicated turbo tyre I guess, but if you have an old tyre lying around, why not just use that? I've only ever had a small amount of slipping between tyre and the turbo so haven't needed to get a turbo tyre.

Can't comment on the mat really as I don't have one. Depends how much you sweat I guess and whether you are using it in the house. I use mine in the garage and tend to just have a towel for catching sweat, but then I don't sweat much.

In reply to Byronius Maximus:

Cheers.

Even in the bare essentials , I sweat buckets.

After 15 mins on the exercise bike I used to be soaked.

Tacx even to a sweat protector for the top frame ,stem and bars.dont think that I'll bother with that though

In reply to andymac:

Make sure you get a fan. And have a look at sufferfest.

I've always just used old tyres

In reply to andymac:

Re: mat - depends where your using it. I've been banned from using my turbo in the house (wooden floors mind) without one - not just sweat but bits of oil too.

If you've an old Karrimor roll-mat kicking about, that will do the trick

In reply to andymac:

My turbo is set up in the shed, I use an old bike on it with old tyres.

I made a riser block out of wood; use a carpet offcut to protect the floor and an old towel to cover the frame.

You need a fan, even with the shed door open in midwinter, I have one going full blast.

In reply to Hat Dude:

It's a funny thing, i use a fan with the turbo trainer no problems but If I cycle into a headwind i slow down, I just can't figure it!

In reply to andymac:

Check out the various setups here: http://www.thesufferfest.com/sufferlandrian-community/bike-torture-chamber/ to see what other people do

In reply to andymac:

Thanks guys.

In reply to andymac:

I'm an honest guy.too honest.sometimes

Got a puncture tonight after a few strange miles.

I found it quite tricky getting approx 6-8 psi into the rear tyre.

Turns out it should have been 6-8 bar.

Doh!