Triathlon - Bike Trainer Recommendations? What's a good one?

Between work and family, I'm having trouble fitting in triathlon training. I'm concentrating on running, and I'm above-average on a bike. I've got swimming down. I could manage to spend 2 hours a day on my bike IF I could find some way to read while I do it. Are Cyclops-type trainers a good way to improve my cycling endurance or are they too non-road-like to be worth the money? Any specific brand/type recommendations?

Thanks
David

1upUSA makes the best in my opinion -- I love mine. There's nothing else quite like it.

http://www.1upusa.com/

i love my cyclops. In comparison to my parents trainers, mine doesnt make any sound.

I'm a fan of my Kurt Kinetic roadmachine - it's quiet enough that my husband doesn't mind reading in the same room and minus the stop signs and potholes, it really does feel like you're on the road (assuming you have a nice fan blowing on you).

I'm a fan of my Kurt Kinetic roadmachine - it's quiet enough that my husband doesn't mind reading in the same room and minus the stop signs and potholes, it really does feel like you're on the road (assuming you have a nice fan blowing on you).

Just checked one out at their website ... that does look a nice trainer! How high is the rear wheel off the floor when in the correct position? And does the front wheel sit in a special cradle to level the bike, or just sit on the floor? $330 at the site I was at, does that sound right???

The best cycling training purchase that I have ever made was the CycleOps Electronic + trainer. I had seen it recommended several times by coaches, but always stayed away because of the cost. It has an incredibly road-like feel to it, and comes with standard courses and training routines like intervals, climbs and fitness tests. With a PC hook up I can use the Netathlon courses and join live internet rides, which has been a lot of fun and definitely helped pass the time on the trainer. I haven't even come close to being bored on it yet.

The mag trainer is just slightly louder than fluid, but I have not been able to kill it either. I have blown the seals on two fluid trainers and won't try them again.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

I like my Cycleops Fluid 2. It's pretty quiet and smooth. I haven't had any maintenence issues and it's easy to tote around or put away. The road-like variable resistance always kicks in reliably.

For the Kurt Kinetic, the rear wheel is probably 2-3" off the floor and I got something to put under the front wheel. You could just stack up some books or something though if you'd prefer. I think I got mine for $295 at the 1upUSA site (which also carries the KKs for some reason). Good luck!