10 Items to Upgrade your Winter Turbo Trainer Setup
Well, it’s getting cold now, the clouds are gathering more often in the sky, and I feel that darkness is looming upon us. I am a big fan of winter training. My background as a personal trainer has always taught me that summer fitness is built in winter.
At the start of winter, I always upgrade my indoor setup. It might be something small like an Ipad holder or a new turbo, but I believe it’s essential to keep it fresh, and it helps with my motivation. So in this article, I want to show you 10 upgrades that you can do to your home turbo set up.
A New Turbo Trainer
Recently, there have been some crazy advancements in technology, and Turbos have got seriously good, from rumble control to specialist fans and even complete bike setups. To start our list, here are 3 picks of new turbo trainers you need to know about.
Wahoo KickR Smart Trainer and KOM Climber bundle
Casually this turbo will make you feel like you are climbing, and it’s one of the best turbos on the market. I rate it! It’s the go-to for many pros and throws out some accurate data. It was not cheap and came in just shy £1300, but it’s worth it.
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Elite Directo-XR T Direct Drive
I started my indoor cycling with an Elite Zumo and still to this day own it. It’s been brilliant, and I highly rate it, knowing it is their bottom-level model. It’s impressive. The Directo-XR T is at the higher end of their models and is something. A class-leading 3600w high power and accuracy of 1.5% is epic. Coming in at about under £650 is impressive.
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Saris M2 Wheel on Smart Turbo Trainer
I don’t think wheel-on turbo trainers get enough credit on the market. They are effortless to use and come in so much cheaper knowing you don’t have to buy a cassette like a direct drive turbo trainer. The Saris is a excellent example of a top-end wheel-on smart trainer. Coming under £390, it’s quite a steal.
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Epic Accessories
I'm classing the following items as epic accessories because these will give a completely different experience. When the lockdowns hit, a lot of us got Turbos pretty sharpish, so yours might be really up to date. If so, these products can add much more value to what you have already.
Lifeline Rocker Plate
There’s quite a lot of rocker plates on the market, but one that stands out for me is the Lifeline. This is a range made by Wiggle, and they are of a high standard, and they are priced low compared to others on the market. The rocket will give you a natural riding feel and help replicate outdoor training. It was £200, and I feel come winter these will be tough to find.
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Lifeline Trainer Table with the Sockets
Another beauty from the lifeline range. This turbo trainer table with sockets is cool and cleans up your training space well. I can highly recommend it for anyone who doesn’t like wire trailing everywhere. It comes in at £105 from Wiggle, and I think it’s a Epic Product.
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Elite Sterzo Smart Steering frame with Ant+
You might have heard the rumors you can steer indoors now. Elite is at the top of their game when it comes to this and has fired the Sterzo at us in full force. I think adding this, especially for mountain bikers, is a big plus for any training setup. £69 from the legends at PROBIKEUK, why not.
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Turbo Trainer Protection Mat
Yeah, we have all sweated that much. We have left a puddle on the floor before. It’s completely normal. To make sure I don’t damage my floor, I use a mat. I also find that it makes it a little quieter too. This one from Amazon is a steal at about £30
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Garmin Dual Heart Rate monitor
I wish I had started using a heart rate monitor sooner. The data is so valuable it's insane not to. I have been through my share of a few but have found awesome stuff using the Garmin Dual monitor and found it remarkable because it can connect Bluetooth and ANT+. £53 on PROBIKEUK. It’s a bargain and currently on offer.
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Lifeline Sweat Net with Phone Holder
Yeah, it’s true I have ruined many a handlebar and stems through getting them a bit too sweaty. For £10 you can stop this issue. Wiggle has got your back.
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Apple TV
Last but not least, I have seen a massive amount of riders switching cross from IPADS and LAPTOPS to Apple TV. Amazon can sort you out with this one the next day! Give yourself a better experience and enjoy the Zwift miles.
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