General Cycling Discussion - help with choosing an indoor trainer

I am a novice biker interested in building up, but to accomodate my work schedule, have to bike late at night.

So I am looking for a quiet indoor trainer that is stable. Are wind trainers all too loud to use, they seem the easiest to work with, changing resistance with shifting.

Are some makes more stable than others on the floor. Rocking the stand and creating noise would be a problem for me using the trainer at night.

I would like to spend less than $200 if possible. Local shops carry Cyclops trainers, but I've been browsing on-line too. Please recommend make, model, best site to order from. Thanks in advance.

I have and like the cyclops fluid trainer its quiet and efficient stable and sturdy, there are others on the market some people perfer rollers anything is bettr than not riding
catfish

My local dive shop, which I trust- talked my into a Mindora- Interim Ergo. The tire does not make contact with a cyclinder at base of tire; but trainer has resistance wheels that makes contact with the rim. I like the unit. Works well for me..

I have both Cyclops Fluid 2 (squared)
and rollers.
The fluid 2 is stable, quiet, and you don't have
to adjust resistance as it is variable resistance unit.
I have earlier model and the original resistance unit
leaked, I contacted cyclops and they sent new one out
(and return prepaid to send back old one). I am VERY
impressed with cyclops, a class outfit who stand behind
their products.
Which do I prefer? The rollers
there are a few other threads about the differences/preferences
see:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9803&highlight=trainers

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8057&highlight=trainers

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=818&highlight=trainers

you can do a search on trainers and find lots of info.

Marty

Performance brand trainers are decent.

i bought a cyclops fluid 2 for winter training... it is so smooth
good for days you want to try ladders.
p.s. it was more than 200 tho.

thanks everybody for the quick and thorough responses. I went and looked at cycleops trainers in the store but decided to get it on-line for less. the fluid 2 model is only $220, whereas the local store is selling it for $300.

http://cycletechinc.com/trainer.htm

Thanks again.

1upUSA (http://www.1upusa.com/) trainers... simply the best stationary trainer I have ever owned! It is well worth the extra $$$ and the customer service is undeniably the best I have ever seen!