Guide: The Turbo Trainer is your friend - which one should you Buy?
Turbo trainers are convenient training devices that allow you to cycle indoors on your own bike away from the weather. They are great to keep your legs spinning throughout the year but especially in the autumn and winter months. The rear wheel of your bicycle is typically suspended from the unit, and when pedalling the resistance provided replicates the ‘feel’ of being out on the open road.
Why use a turbo?
If you watched Team Sky’s Chris Froome win his third Tour de France you probably could not fail to notice that his post-stage interviews were largely conducted as he warmed down on a ‘wireless’ turbo trainer. Whilst ‘wireless’ turbo trainers are useful for warming up and down before and after races, an ‘indoor’ turbo trainer really earns its keep in the colder months when weather or darkness discourage you from riding outdoors. By training indoors, perhaps when the roads are icy, or you don’t have time to do a full outdoor training ride, you retain your fitness throughout the year and can also perform set structured training sessions without any interference from the weather or other road users.
Choosing a trainer: which is best for me?
Your choice will ultimately depend on your budget but factor in the type of sessions or amount of training you plan to do on it. If your training time on the turbo is going to be significant then it’s likely you’ll want to invest in a more sophisticated model. You might need to consider your neighbours and choose a quieter unit or your space to store it may be limited.
What type of turbo trainers are there?
There are many different styles of turbo trainers available to purchase and now an increase in the popularity of new ‘Smart’ trainers which can connect to social training ride programmes such as Zwift and TrainerRoad. The more sophisticated trainers are interactive and can be used with the associated software playing a laptop, television or even a projection screen in front of you. The main choice between the different trainers is the style of the resistance unit which vary in both price and feel.
Got you interested and want to see more?
READ OUR FULL TURBO TRAINER GUIDE HERE
VIEW ALL TRAINERS HERE
Best Gravel Bikes 2026
What actually makes ‘the best’ gravel bike in 2026? A clear guide to choosing the best bike for how you actually ride.
What is a Gravel Bike?
Gravel bikes are changing how people ride. Sitting right in the middle of road and off-road, they're fast on tarmac and stable on loose ground. Comfortable over long distances and ready for whatever the ride throws at you.
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More cyclists than ever are seizing the opportunity to take their rides off-piste in search of freedom and adventure. But to do so, you need the right tool for the job - a gravel bike. The Ribble gravel range consists of four frame materials. Each of these offers something a little different in terms of ride quality, longevity and performance characteristics. So how do you decide which frame material is right for you?
Tyre Choice and Pressures for UK Gravel
Tyres can make or break your gravel ride. This blog cuts through the guesswork on width, tread and pressure, showing you what actually works for UK conditions.
Getting the right set up is half the battle
Getting your gravel bike set up right is the difference between enjoying the ride and counting down the miles. This blog breaks down the key adjustments that actually matter, from saddle height to bar position and tyre pressure, without drowning you in jargon.
Why Gravel Riding Works In February
February gravel isn’t about hero rides. It’s about quiet trails, mixed surfaces and riding for the sake of it. This blog dives into why Ribble staff and the Outliers keep choosing gravel when winter drags on, from traffic-free routes to bikes built to handle proper UK conditions.
Post Ride Checks That Keep Your Gravel Bike Running
Winter wrecks bikes. This blog shows you how to fight back in five minutes flat. No tools, no faff. Just the simple checks that stop small issues turning into expensive problems. From wiping down grit to spotting tyre cuts and keeping your chain alive, it’s the bare minimum that makes a massive difference. Ride more. Fix less. Your future self will thank you.
Winter Gravel Clothing Guide
Winter gravel isn’t about suffering. It’s about turning up and staying comfortable. This guide shares no-nonsense kit advice from Ribble staff and the Outliers on what actually works in a UK February.
Best Road Bikes for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Getting Started
New to road cycling and drowning in jargon? This guide cuts through the noise. We break down what actually matters on your first road bike, from comfort to gearing, and show you which options suit real UK riding. No hard sell. No tech waffle. Just straight-talking advice to help you choose a bike you will actually enjoy riding.
When To Service Your Bike? A Practical Guide for Every Rider
Looking after your bike doesn’t start and end with a clean after riding. Regular servicing keeps it working at its best, no matter how often you ride. The tricky part is knowing when a service is needed. Too early feels unnecessary. Too late and the problems have already crept in. This guide breaks it down simply so you can ride more and worry less.
Staying Motivated: Winter Wisdom From The Ribble Family
When winter kills your motivation, even the pros feel it. The difference is they’ve built strategies that keep them riding when willpower runs out. Here’s how they stay consistent, break through the slump, and keep the pedals turning through the toughest months.
10 weeks down and far from decided: here’s why to join now
Ten weeks in and building momentum. Join the Ribble Winter Racing Series now - your best 10 results count. Race hard, miss weeks, progress.