Making a bicycle into an exercise bike?

lindos90

I would like to be able to change my ordinary bicycle so I can use it as an exercise bike at home to help with my fitness and confidence before going out on cycle paths. I've looked at a couple of you tube videos about 'making' something from wood or metal, but both are beyond my ability. I've looked on amazon and I'm a bit bamboozled, prices starting from about £150 upwards. I would like something as cheap as possible (obviously) but at the same time I don't want something that's going to be false economy either. Does anyone have any recommendations for something I could buy that would do the job at a reasonable price? tia x 

calleyw

I assume you are referring to what is called a turbo trainer used by cyclists to train in the middle of winter?  I can't recommend any as don't use them myself.  But you can get them from about £50 upwards.  At that price they wont be the best but if you are only going to use a short time then will get you by in a pinch.  Or look towards the second hand market.

Yours

Calley x

macman

On ebay from about £40. Used, half that. 
At the most basic level, it's simply a pair of rollers and framework to hold the rear wheel off the floor, and some way to apply variable resistance to it. 

ianto11

Or if you're feeling adventurous, these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tracx-Rollers/324184103431?hash=item4b7ae0da07:g:4kwAAOSw51xe0~9L&LH_Auction=1

lindos90

ianto11 said:

Or if you're feeling adventurous, these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tracx-Rollers/324184103431?hash=item4b7ae0da07:g:4kwAAOSw51xe0~9L&LH_Auction=1

I think I might need a bit more practice before something like that, I don't want to be making any videos for ''You've Been Framed"  although that would definitely offset the cost and then some!

lindos90

Callyw and macman, I've looked on ebay and amazon, but can't spot anything much less than £150. Maybe I'm using the wrong wors to search with, I'll try the phrase 'turbo trainer' and see what comes up.

lindos90

Ohhh bingo! Thank you, loads coming up when I use 'turbo trainer' I had no idea thats what they were called, I was just using key words like 'bike frame exercise' doah! Fantastic, thats saved me at least £100 

calleyw

lindos90 said:

Ohhh bingo! Thank you, loads coming up when I use 'turbo trainer' I had no idea thats what they were called, I was just using key words like 'bike frame exercise' doah! Fantastic, thats saved me at least £100 

Lindos90, glad to be of help.  I only know the name due to a few of my friends are in to cycling.  Other wise I would not know what they are called. I know halfords had one for £50 but it was out of stock.  And sometimes places like aldi and lidl have been know to do them.  But not much good if you want it now.

Enjoy

Yours

Calley x

gettingtheresometime

If you're going to get a turbo trainer have a look at joining Zwift....hubby uses it for  the cycling & we both use the running side of it as well.

helps keep boredom at bay & challenges you

Nebulous2

Turbo trainers have a lot to offer, but there are some pitfalls.

They can be noisy and annoy neighbours, particularly in a flat. A mat underneath helps. Fluid ones are quieter. It is also worth raising the front wheel to level the bike. A riser costs about £15 but for one of my turbos I use a brick, which works fine. Sales of turbos have been exceptional during lockdown and stock may be in short supply.

They can be boring and many people simply don’t use them. Zwift has been a game changer for me. It feels a bit like a computer-game but has been cleverly done to interact with others and has revolutionised indoor training. 

Good luck. Getting out on a bike in good weather is unbeatable, but indoors certainly has quite a bit to offer. 

Romb678

Just go outside and run. It's the cheapest way