How To Set Up A Turbo Trainer

Turbo trainers or ergo trainers are great training tools. Here are GCN's tips for setting yours up.

Turbo trainers are a great way to keep in shape if you don't always have the time or inclination to train outdoors. You can make turbo training easier on your bike and surroundings with GCN's top tips. Once you've got everything in place, check out one of our training videos!

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[gcn]

Hugo Underhill They might not be entirely crazy. I would check with BMC themselves though.

[planespeaking]

Yoga mat from tesco is way cheaper than swanky elite one. Remember to stand up off saddle every 5 minutes to keep blood flow. That's all I got...

[WestysPlaylistHub]

Ive just bought one. last year I was torn between watching the cycling events such as TDF and the Giro or going for a bike ride. now i cab do both at the same time. Happy days

[simonsmith]

I've just got first trainer ..and on second go I noticed a lot rubber on mat ..
how much pressure or how tight should I put the roller to tyre please ??

[luckharold]

I've always preferred the rolls (3 rolls), because they give us a stronger and more close to a real ride on the road training. But recently, a friend reminded me that the rollers that fix a wheel are only dangerous because the rider's weight and movement in a sprint can force and bend the frame of the bike. Did not know there own tires for indoor training, I'll see if I can find them in Brazil to use the wheels reserves. Grateful.

[Nickpedler]

Use a thin camping mat made of foam between the floor and trainer. It helps to deaden the vibrations and noise.

[Rbr]

All very good advice. The only thing I do differently is checking the pressure with which its locked in back. Too tight and I've noticed it's difficult to get out, too loose and you wobble. I do use GCN training videos but I must admit, fluid trainers are tough.

[rwri]

Broke my Cervelo r2.5 on a turbo trainer a few years ago, rear dropout came loose from the chain stay, so yes indeed they can break bikes. Best use a steel or alu frame for safety. Definitely no alu glued carbon fiber.

[borjastick]

In Corona virus lockdown France I have just ordered a trainer. Yes we are banned from cycling outdoors at the moment. Can't wait to relieve cabin fever with a twenty minute ride out every day.

[onlyAerik]

I just had an interesting thought.  If you had an electronic bike that uses simple resistance or regenerative breaking to build up energy in the battery, for use in assisting later, could you set it to one of those charging modes to adjust the resistance of the total setup?

Has anybody in GCN tried setting up that type of e-bike with a trainer to see what that's like?

I smell a great GCN science project.

[kamst]

Please remember that you're creating an instructional video for people at all levels. You need to go through ALL the steps and not take any for granted. One of the first steps was to replace the quick release, not everyone knows how to do that. You just mentioned it and went to the next step and now I'm stuck!!

[alexdewuk]

Great video dude, you should be a presenter on the ONE show!! I'll tweet them requesting this!!. My road bike is beautiful but was thinking for set up ease is it OK to use my old mountain bike, with MB tyres as my "Indoor" bike?, any issues with this? Many thanks Alex

[kwacker]

Sufferfest video is the way to go. Time flies in as pain flies out:-)

[harry.sekhon]

How much contact should the roller have with the rear tire? Reckon do a water dab test to see tyre imprint on floor and try to match with the roller pressure? The resistance changes on my trainer depending on how far the roller is pressed into the tyre.

[Atoyota]

I use a thick towel ... not a 'special' mat for beneath the bike. I also have music set up for specific songs at specific energy levels (rhythms) and times for sprints and cool downs...  easily converted to genre of preference.
As i mentioned in their previous video, my wish list is for a direct drive trainer, to avoid the hassle of switching the rear tire.
I've also  seen "bike bra's" to keep dripping sweat off your bike...  fools and their money I guess. Another towel draped over the bike or the ability to give it a quick wipe when done would avoid that expense. 
Trainers are critical to maintain your progress in the off season, just an hour or two 3 times a week is all you need.

[euanwalker]

the roller on my trainer is adjustable so you can set how hard it presses against the tyre. how much should this be?

[speakingvolumes]

I always put some protection on the top tube of the frame to prevent the sweat from damaging the paint. Might be a tip...

[macacephalosaurus]

If you need a cheap mount for a smartphone on your bike, a mid size hose clamp works very well. Just tighten it on a handlebar or tube and put your phone inside.

[paullally]

Just wondering about the tyre to roller tension, how much for a smooth ride?

[jsprhrmsn]

Film your regular rides with a GoPro (or any other actioncam) and use them with your indoor trainer/rollers. Like this it's less boring.