As requested, this is a bit of a repeat of something I posted elsewhere but some may not have seen it.
Since indoor training is now likely to be a bigger part of my life from here on, I've been gradually building up my indoor set up. I call it Thunderbird 7.
First was the multi-adjustable ergo bike with the dirty great flywheel and double reduction gearing:
In the 4th gear of 7 (that's a Nexus 7 speed hub gear), at a cadence of 100 the flywheel is turning at ~ 600rpm. I'm not exactly sure how much the flywheel weighs but north of 30kg I'd say.
Chair is needed close by as I have to sit down to undo my walking leg attachment and screw on my bike leg attachment.
Then I added an SRM (I also have the adjustable length SRM cranks) which will go on when my buddy comes over one day to help me swap the BB out as I don't have the right tool (this SRM will end up on my road bike and will be replaced with another I have waiting to go on):
Now I have a PCV with dual port to hook up the online option and have all the data available on a large screen in front of me as well as any pre-programmed work-out. I haven't invested in a dedicated laptop as yet, I haven't quite found that necessary but it's on the long list of eventual improvements.
All combined with a DVD/CD player, sound system and TV screen I threw together for not much $:
And a weight plate with a very convenient hole to fit over the pedal for calibration checks of various power meters for $A15 (£8). I'll add a bit more weight with an extra plate soon:
Then I picked up an industrial grade fan for ~ A$200 (£82):
It's a beauty, really moves the air big time. In fact, I would go to say that training without having something of this order of air moving over you is sub-optimal.
It also protects the equipment as well, since I am no longer dripping like stupid as the sweat is being dried off my skin as it appears, all I really end up using the towel for is to wipe my brow.
Ha - I just spotted the pile of Championship medals sitting on top of the SRM box
There's a couple of others lying around somewhere...
Since then I have placed the perspex protective cover over the flywheel, which is kind of handy 'cause I can place a drink bidon on it and don't have to be concerned about how the towel hangs. And not that I have a cat, but if I did, the chances of it getting killed have been dramatically reduced.
The cover did change the cadence - speed relationship as the air inside swirls around. I basically just use one gear higher than I did sans cover for similar power.
Here's a sample of a 2x20 workout from Thursday:
My next trick will be to get an MP3 player / iPod (yeah, that's right, I don't have one LOL) to load good training music onto as sometimes the CDs just aren't long enough. I wonder if that CD/DVD could play MP3 discs?
The other element of the project I was originally looking at was a way to control the resisitance through some form of electromagnetic braking. I haven't pursued that idea since, well, it works, works well and if I need to keep up a power level, then it's all up to me.
Since indoor training is now likely to be a bigger part of my life from here on, I've been gradually building up my indoor set up. I call it Thunderbird 7.
First was the multi-adjustable ergo bike with the dirty great flywheel and double reduction gearing:
In the 4th gear of 7 (that's a Nexus 7 speed hub gear), at a cadence of 100 the flywheel is turning at ~ 600rpm. I'm not exactly sure how much the flywheel weighs but north of 30kg I'd say.
Chair is needed close by as I have to sit down to undo my walking leg attachment and screw on my bike leg attachment.
Then I added an SRM (I also have the adjustable length SRM cranks) which will go on when my buddy comes over one day to help me swap the BB out as I don't have the right tool (this SRM will end up on my road bike and will be replaced with another I have waiting to go on):
Now I have a PCV with dual port to hook up the online option and have all the data available on a large screen in front of me as well as any pre-programmed work-out. I haven't invested in a dedicated laptop as yet, I haven't quite found that necessary but it's on the long list of eventual improvements.
All combined with a DVD/CD player, sound system and TV screen I threw together for not much $:
And a weight plate with a very convenient hole to fit over the pedal for calibration checks of various power meters for $A15 (£8). I'll add a bit more weight with an extra plate soon:
Then I picked up an industrial grade fan for ~ A$200 (£82):
It's a beauty, really moves the air big time. In fact, I would go to say that training without having something of this order of air moving over you is sub-optimal.
It also protects the equipment as well, since I am no longer dripping like stupid as the sweat is being dried off my skin as it appears, all I really end up using the towel for is to wipe my brow.
Ha - I just spotted the pile of Championship medals sitting on top of the SRM box
There's a couple of others lying around somewhere...
Since then I have placed the perspex protective cover over the flywheel, which is kind of handy 'cause I can place a drink bidon on it and don't have to be concerned about how the towel hangs. And not that I have a cat, but if I did, the chances of it getting killed have been dramatically reduced.
The cover did change the cadence - speed relationship as the air inside swirls around. I basically just use one gear higher than I did sans cover for similar power.
Here's a sample of a 2x20 workout from Thursday:
My next trick will be to get an MP3 player / iPod (yeah, that's right, I don't have one LOL) to load good training music onto as sometimes the CDs just aren't long enough. I wonder if that CD/DVD could play MP3 discs?
The other element of the project I was originally looking at was a way to control the resisitance through some form of electromagnetic braking. I haven't pursued that idea since, well, it works, works well and if I need to keep up a power level, then it's all up to me.