Hello again everyone, seems I spend a lot of time lurking here and learning a lot, but not saying much. That is changing today. The first significant snow of the season is going to drive me inside. It is schedlued to hit here in SE South Dakota late Sunday night and all day Monday. I am going to need an entry level trainer with a few caveats.

1. A price range of Under $300.00

2. Some portability so I could take it with me as I travel for business (I haul the bike already)

3. Easy to connect and disconnect

4. Something that my 65+ year old father could also use

I am plainning on getting 2, one for him for Christmas and one for me to reduce my fat @ss. I would consider myself an "ultra" clyde so it needs to be well built. I have read a little about these and just get confused.

Any Suggestions? Thanks in advance for your input.

I'm not purporting to be an expert, as I'm just getting started using a trainer myself, but I got a pretty good deal on a Blackburn fluid trainer and included heart monitor (http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-Blackburn-Bike-Cycling-Fluid-Trainer-New-NIB-230_W0QQitemZ7202527080QQcategoryZ36141QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) plus free shipping, on eBay. I've used it three times, once with my fixed gear that doesn't have QR skewers, and it clamps down on the wheel very securely, feels very sturdy, and seems pretty heavy duty. I'm +250 and over 6'4". Plus, it folds very flatly. It is pretty heavy to be toting around, though, unless it would just be going from car trunk to hotel room and back, while on the road.

A price range under 300.00? You can get the best for 300. Kirt kinetics or a 1up usa. 1up has a lifetime warranty on the whole thing. Free shipping. It also has adjustable legs for use on unlevel surfaces. Most or a lot of the others dont that I've seen.

www.1upusa.com

I had a 1upUSA and couldn't get enough resistance on it (I am a Clyde also). It is well made and looks like it would last forever, but I wanted higher resistance for part of my workout. My problem may have partially been the bike I was using with it (an older MTB) which did not have very high gearing. I finally sold it and bought a spinning bike (LeMond Revmaster) and have enjoyed using it.

I just bought a Nashbar fluid resistance trainer and LOVE IT! I am also an ultraclyde (350+, 6'7"), and find the trainer incredibly sturdy with solid resistance for my needs. I paid $179 ... under $300 is definitely doable!

Thanks for the help, I have already purchased a Cycleops Magneto. It should be here today or tomorrow. I hope it works ok. I will let you all know how it works for a big guy like me <300 pounds>.