There are so many options when it comes to turbo trainers, but what is the best option for you as a track cyclist?
Turbo trainers can be broken down in to two categories: Smart trainers and not smart trainers.
Smart Trainers require power and have features like erg mode to hold you at a certain power. They can also be used with apps like Zwift and Trainer Road to give you a real life road like experience.
Non smart trainers don't require power to give you resistance and if you want to read power you'll likely need to have a power meter on your bike which will then enable you to use online apps like Trainer Road.
The opinion of Track Cycling Coaches is that there isn't currently a one size fits all trainer out there. Lets take a look at the Lemond for example:
The Lemond Revolution is a manual trainer that is great for race days. it requires no power so you can warm up anywhere you want. It provides you with instant resistance as soon as you start pedalling. What I mean by that is you're not waiting for a computer to work out that you've just started an activation effort and it needs to give you more resistance. The Lemond is fan driven with a flywheel so the feedback is there as soon as you press on the pedals. It's a sprinters best friend. A downside to the Lemond is that it is noisy as hell! It sounds like a jet engine. It's intimidating hearing it on race day which is one reason we love the Lemond Revolution. It's a shame they don't make these new any more, if you see one for sale I would highly recommend buying it!
Now lets take a look at a Wahoo Kickr smart trainer. It's great for endurance riding and using with apps like Zwift. You can simulate gradients and its super quiet compared to a Lemond fan driven trainer.
Come race day you're going to need to find a power source. I will add that there are trainers out there that don't require a power source like the Tacx Neo but they have other issues and are super laggy when used without a power supply.
In our experience here at Track Cycling Coach the Wahoo is not the best tool to do maximal efforts on because it just doesn't give the right feedback or stimulus compared to a manual trainer like the Lemond. It either cranks on too much resistance or doesn't give you enough and your cadence goes through the roof. Winter miles when it's wet and freezing outside is when a smart trainer comes in to its own. Ride in online races or with your usual club group online. Keep yourself entertained with a movie or two because it doesn't sound like you're running a jet engine Lemond trainer and you'll actually be able to hear yourself think.
We at Track Cycling Coaches think both smart and manual trainers still have an important defined purpose for track cyclists and until something comes along that can tick all the boxes we will be using both as part of our race day prep and winter training schedules. Long live the Lemond!
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