General Cycling Discussion - Indoor trainers

Any comment to help me to buy a magnetic tire (not rim) indoor trainer ? Any comment on Minoura, Tacx, Blacburn models and others ? Any comment on reliability, noise, levels of resistance, etc.

I don't know if I'm going to buy a model with a computer tellling me the numbers of watts produced. Interresting but expensive feature I think, but when you don't race, heart rate is probably enough.

Thank you .

I have used a Blackburn mag trainer for many years. I bought a middle-budget model, short on features, but it gets the job done.

You might want to have a look at Minoura's Ergo-50, which drives from the wheel rim, and not the tire...

... thus being quieter, and won't ruin your rear tire after 500 to 600 indoor miles.

Do get a trainer that will allow you to change the rolling resistance with a remote lever. My trainer requires that I dismount and switch the mag unit to a harder or easier setting. (I leave it in a mid-position, and use the bike's derailleurs to get the level of effort I want.

As for computer displays, I've chosen the budget solution here as well.. I've rigged my "training" bike so the computer is driven off of the back wheel. Some bike computers can be ordered with rear wheel drive mounting kits, but I just cut the existing cable and soldered in a meter or so of similar wire. (Shielded coax is best, and if you have an old computer mount to cut up, you can use its wire... But small gauge twin lead such as from a cellphone charger, answering machine or modem power supply will work just fine.)

This way, I can track all of my real-road-type ride data even if I am forced to spin in my living room.

Also... indoor trainers make very good workstands, especially if you're fettling the derailleurs, chain or cables. The stand will hold up the bike, and allow you to test your repairs without leaving the garage.

I've used the Minaura mag trainer for a few years and it has served me well. A minimum of noise and it's simple to use and set up. Like Cambronne, I just leave it on a middle setting and use the bike gears to change workload. I set up a computer by putting the mounting bracket on the trainer itself and attaching the sensor with a twist tie, which I'll just cut off when I take the bike outside. A little awkward to see the computer but there's no splicing of wires involved. I can see it by just looking back under my left arm, so it's not that bad. To make the trainer really effective the Computrainer, used with either a computer or the nintendo version is great. We had one set up at our workplace last year and it sure beats using the trainer alone. Hope this helps.

Dave