When daylight is to a minimum or the weather really stinks, a turbo trainer can be a good way of maintaining your fitness and getting you ready for the next big ride or race. The CycleOps JetFluid Pro is an expensive investment but for those serious about their fitness, it’s a dependable bit of kit.

The key of the JetFluid is the PowerTuned flywheel that makes it feel just like you’re riding on the road. It’s very smooth and the power curve is consistent. There’s no manual setting of the resistance, instead you simply use the gears on your bike and the harder you pedal, the higher the resistance the flywheel provides. It’s a very consistent power curve.

Because the flywheel is very well cooled and operates at lower temperatures, it’s very quiet, which is handy if you live in a flat and have other people living in close proximity. I’ve used turbo trainers in the past that sound like an aeroplane is taking off in your kitchen. It’s also very sturdy, the folding metal frame is reassuringly heavy and stays planted on the floor even during the most intense workouts. The left leg can also be extended to level things out if used on an uneven floor.

The Quick-Lock cam lever is fast and easy to use and it takes a matter of minutes to fit the bicycle into the trainer. It can accommodate wheel sizes from 650c to 29in, making it ideal for road cyclists and mountain bikers alike. I use mine mostly with a road bike, but there’s nothing to stop you slapping your mountain bike in it or your commuting flat-bar bike. If you’re going to use a mountain bike, it’s best to fit a slick tyre to the wheel for the best performance.

The price sets it apart from the entry-level trainers and yes it sure is expensive (though you can spend a lot more). I’ve been using this actual trainer for the past couple of winters and it’s been absolutely reliable. I’ve used cheaper trainers but they’re commonly very noisy and not that stable, and the feeling of the JetFluid’s resistance makes it worth the extra investment. If you’re planning to make turbo sessions a frequent part of your training, then I reckon it’s worth spending the extra.

They’re not a lot of fun, and commonly referred to as tortuous. And that they are. But what they are is an invaluable method of maintaining and improving fitness when you can’t face the outdoors, or you want to do some very structured and specific sessions. It’s never going to replace riding outdoors, it’s not trying to do that, but if you want to supplement your outdoor riding with some hard indoor sessions, the JetFluid Pro is a highly commendable trainer.

Verdict

Very smooth and realistic riding experience that is extremely quiet and accommodates any road or mountain bike wheel size.

Price: £315

More information: CycleOps JetFluid Pro Turbo Trainer

What CycleOps says:

1. PowerTuned technology provides smooth, realistic accelerations and inertia.
2. Cooler operating temperature delivers long-lasting performance and stable progressive power .
3. Pro Series frame offers quick installation and removal of bike with ability to lock resistance unit in place for transport and storage.