Cycling in winter – no problem with the right bike trainer
14.10.2017
Translation: Eva Francis
In winter, when the roads are often wet and slippery, indoor bike trainers are a hugely popular way of keeping up our cycling schedule. Bike trainers have improved tremendously over the last few years in regards to quality, technology and performance and are today, simulate a realistic outdoor cycling experience.
There are three types of bike trainers: classic bike trainers, interactive bike trainers and rollers.
1. Classic bike trainers
With classic trainers, the rear wheel is attached to the roller with a clamp and the resistance is changed by your own cadence and the gearshift on your own bike. Some trainers also have a lever that allows adjusting resistance levels on the handlebars. The higher the lever position, the stronger the resistance. These bike trainers are ideally suited for regular training at home as well as for your preparation for the start of the cycling season in spring.
With the Elite Qubo Fluid, the resistance depends on your cadence and the gearshift on your bike; the Tacx Blue Matic T2650 features a handlebar-mounted lever in addition.
2. Interactive bike trainers
With interactive bike trainers, the resistance is automatically adjusted via your computer, tablet or smartphone. These trainers have a wireless connection to your device and communicate via ANT+ and/or Bluetooth. They forward your performance data to the software you’re using, which then decides whether the resistance needs to be adjusted. This allows you to replicate existing routes in a very realistic way, compete online against other cyclists or take part in virtual training courses that are pre-installed in the software.
Tacx's Flux Smart T2900 offers a maximum resistance of an incredible 1500 W power, whereas the resistance can be infinitely adjusted. It has a direct drive, which means that the bike is mounted onto the trainer directly and without the rear wheel. This bike trainer allows you to experience virtual and interactive training.
The Elite Rampa is an interactive and smart bike trainer with automatically adjusted resistance and continuous levels. This wireless bike trainer simulates gradients of up to 10%.
3. Rollers
Rollers are ideal for your warm-up before a competition as well as for speed and cadence training. As your bike sits freely on three precision drums inside a frame, this is the most realistic simulation of outdoor cycling. Experienced cyclists swear by these trainers, as they’re great for improving your pedalling, riding technique, balance and coordination. Some models allow adjusting the resistance (e.g. the Elite Arion Al13) and others come without mechanical or magnetic resistance adjustment (e.g. the Tacx Antares).
Header image: Move your favourite cycling route to your living room with a bike trainer.
Theresa Schieder
Leader Portfolio Development Do-It, Garden & Household
Theresa.Schieder@digitecgalaxus.chSport
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