The long thread started to have a discussion about trainers over the weekend. Since I didn't have a chance to follow-up until now, I thought this would make a great thread. There are lots of trainers on the market and none of them are any good if you don't use them. But I think the two best units on the market are the 1UP and the Kurt Kinetic. Which trainer, if either, is better? Both are similarly priced, and have lifetime warranties. Below is a review that was posted earlier in Bike Forums. The review is very thorough.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=222654
I have the 1UP trainer, I had it a little over a year now. I also have most of the Carmichael and Spinerval DVD's. Those make a difference. I could not just get on the trainer and spin, I need some direction. That being said, I enjoy riding the trainer much more that spin class. The workout with the DVD's is great, interval training with proper recovery between intervals. My improvements in outdoor cycling are much more evident after using the trainer with the DVDs, than with the spin classes.
I miss the social aspect of spin class, but I don't miss the lousy music and lousy instructors. There are good instructors with good music, bu most spin instructors offer nothing more than an aerobics class on a bike. I bet if you took a poll, 75% of spin instructors don't own a bike, yet they are teaching a class utlizing a bike.
merider1
10-09-06, 02:42 PM
The long thread started to have a discussion about trainers over the weekend. Since I didn't have a chance to follow-up until now, I thought this would make a great thread. There are lots of trainers on the market and none of them are any good if you don't use them. But I think the two best units on the market are the 1UP and the Kurt Kinetic. Which trainer, if either, is better? Both are similarly priced, and have lifetime warranties. Below is a review that was posted earlier in Bike Forums. The review is very thorough.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=222654
.
Thank you for starting this. :) I'm going to buy a trainer this year because I found myself forced to "gym" it on rainy days this past winter when I really wanted to be on my bike. I'm with you on the spin class, only the 24 hour super-sport at which I pay way too much money to be a member, we do have a couple of excellent spin instructors, both of whom do own bikes. But I've heard the contrary for other gyms from several cyclists, for sure!
Anyway, nice review and I'll keep this in mind when I start shopping for a good quality yet affordable trainer.
jsigone
10-09-06, 02:47 PM
I never really liked spin classes or their bikes, I don't like the weak resistance their bikes have compaired to a real trainer or the real road/dirt feel. Seemed more of a dance class on pedals then anything else.
merider1
10-09-06, 02:51 PM
I never really liked spin classes or their bikes, I don't like the weak resistance their bikes have compaired to a real trainer or the real road/dirt feel. Seemed more of a dance class on pedals then anything else.
Well, I think if you start with spinning at the gym before buying a road bike, it's a whole different experience. I certainly see the value in the classes, but having a trainer can only be an advantage, I'm sure.
jsigone
10-09-06, 03:06 PM
the prob I had with the spin classes were mainly the machines. The did not offer enough resistance at anthing over 100rpm. The resistance was all low cadence (40-60) stuff which was bad for my knees and the high cadence w/o resistance was bad for my knees. It got to the point where I can't even touch the bikes at the gym cuz it was pointless and painful somedays. Now I just go to the gym to swim.
I have a cheap Performance house brand trainer that I love using for warm ups to my races. It has great resistance and higher you spin, the harder it gets. So I can do hammer session or spin sessions w/o any knee problems. And gets me plenty pumped up for the race.
merider1
10-09-06, 03:19 PM
I have a cheap Performance house brand trainer that I love using for warm ups to my races. It has great resistance and higher you spin, the harder it gets. So I can do hammer session or spin sessions w/o any knee problems. And gets me plenty pumped up for the race.
Forgive me for being dorky (my usual), but when you say Performance house brand, do you mean Performance sells their own type of trainer?? :p Seriously, I need to buy one, and I really do not want to pay over $200. You give your a nice endorsement - should I consider it? (and is it quiet or super noisy?)
roadfix
10-09-06, 03:22 PM
I've got an old Performance brand trainer too. I think Minoura used to make their's at one time.
socalrider
10-09-06, 03:27 PM
Fixer
I am pretty sure you are right, I have a performance trainer from a few years back and it looks exactly like the Minoura 850 Mag Trainer. Been working great for the last couple of years with no issues..
Don't forget to get a riser block with your trainer purchase..
merider1
10-09-06, 03:33 PM
Fixer
Don't forget to get a riser block with your trainer purchase..
Thank you! I probably would have forgotten and cursed all the way back to Performance in Pasadena. :D
But can you answer: is this brand noisy? I live in an upper apartment and am friends with my neighbor below. I'd like to keep it that way!
BigSean
10-09-06, 03:46 PM
Forgive me for being dorky (my usual), but when you say Performance house brand, do you mean Performance sells their own type of trainer?? :p Seriously, I need to buy one, and I really do not want to pay over $200. You give your a nice endorsement - should I consider it? (and is it quiet or super noisy?)
Ill bring mine to Solvang and you can use it till I see you again, or I can sell it to you. Ill ride in the cold, just not the rain. I can usually get out and ride at some point. I have a hard time staying motivated for the trainer. Ill be going back to the gym this winter to try and get my back in shape. Its a Performance fluid trainer with tensioner.
socalrider
10-09-06, 03:49 PM
The Mag Trainers are pretty quiet compared to older styles of fan trainers which were very noisy.
merider1
10-09-06, 03:53 PM
Ill bring mine to Solvang and you can use it till I see you again, or I can sell it to you. Ill ride in the cold, just not the rain. I can usually get out and ride at some point. I have a hard time staying motivated for the trainer. Ill be going back to the gym this winter to try and get my back in shape. Its a Performance fluid trainer with tensioner.
That is so sweet of you, Injured (what is your real name, by the way, as it seems so odd to keep calling you Injured! :p ) I would love to give it a spin and would consider buying it from you. :D
herbm
10-09-06, 03:54 PM
Thanks for the great info...I am interested in a trainer also....I particularly found the info about using DVD's very good... I never thought of that...great idea and a good way to be motivated and get a good workout...
What about tracking cadence/rpms and distance...I have front mounted computers and I dont think they can do any hookups to rear wheel or crank for cadence, distance on trainer...do most trainers come with cadence and distance read outs?
thanks
h
jsigone
10-09-06, 04:00 PM
I used a treadmill mat from wally world to dampen the sounds from the trainer. I fold it into thirds so it's really dampening the sound to the ground. Works good too and very stable. Think it was $10 at wally world then performance for the same thing. I live upstair too.
You can stack phone books under the front wheel holder to help simulate the geometry from climbing.
BigSean
10-09-06, 04:04 PM
That is so sweet of you, Injured (what is your real name, by the way, as it seems so odd to keep calling you Injured! :p ) I would love to give it a spin and would consider buying it from you. :D
Sean
thomson
10-09-06, 04:23 PM
Thank you for starting this. :) I'm going to buy a trainer this year because I found myself forced to "gym" it on rainy days this past winter when I really wanted to be on my bike. I'm with you on the spin class, only the 24 hour super-sport at which I pay way too much money to be a member, we do have a couple of excellent spin instructors, both of whom do own bikes. But I've heard the contrary for other gyms from several cyclists, for sure!
Anyway, nice review and I'll keep this in mind when I start shopping for a good quality yet affordable trainer.
Have you considered riding in the rain?
shakeNbake
10-09-06, 04:26 PM
Hmm, I'm actually going to my first spin "class" tonight at Bally's. I need extra pedalling time. Do they use clips?
I'm clueless.
scvroadie
10-09-06, 04:27 PM
Thanks for the great info...I am interested in a trainer also....I particularly found the info about using DVD's very good... I never thought of that...great idea and a good way to be motivated and get a good workout...
What about tracking cadence/rpms and distance...I have front mounted computers and I dont think they can do any hookups to rear wheel or crank for cadence, distance on trainer...do most trainers come with cadence and distance read outs?
thanks
h
Most trainers don't. What I have done is set up an old '86 Centurion Ironman bike, that I updated with all the current gearing, shifters, etc. I've have set this bike up the same as my current road bike. This is now my beater bike and is set up on the trainer always ready to go. For a computer 1up sells a wired Cateye unit that gives you cadence, mph, time riding, & distance ridden from the rear wheel for $39. Its a wired unit, they also have a more expensive wireless unit, here is the link.
http://www.1upusa.com/computer.html
jsigone
10-09-06, 04:29 PM
Hmm, I'm actually going to my first spin "class" tonight at Bally's. I need extra pedalling time. Do they use clips?
I'm clueless.
most will have SPD clips, some people bring their pedals and wrench too to swap out their stuff.
nesdog
10-09-06, 04:31 PM
Thanks for the great info...I am interested in a trainer also....I particularly found the info about using DVD's very good... I never thought of that...great idea and a good way to be motivated and get a good workout...
What about tracking cadence/rpms and distance...I have front mounted computers and I dont think they can do any hookups to rear wheel or crank for cadence, distance on trainer...do most trainers come with cadence and distance read outs?
thanks
h
I purchased a trainer from Performance about a year ago for under $100. Simple type with 3 adjustments which we never touch because we pick up the resistance via gear shifts.
As we live in a house, and have outfitted a workout room with trainer, treadmill, TV, fan, etc. noise is not an issue.
We have quite a few Spinervals tapes/DVD's that my wife and I use. Love 'em. Get a great workout and come out of there sweating. The VHS tapes are half price ($15). We even have a treadmill workout from Coach Troy!
Rather than drag our bikes up the stairs, I placed my old 10 speed Peugeot in there as a permanent fixture. I added a Cateye 3 for cadence. Got to say I don't mind rainy days as much anymore!
Sheldon
merider1
10-09-06, 04:31 PM
Have you considered riding in the rain?
Why yes, Jim, I rode 103 miles in the the Solvang rain, hail, sleet and lightening fest (okay, it only rained for about 40 miles of it and then cleared up but it sounds more impressive if I say 103 :p ). I also rode 75 miles in it (and a FULL 75) when I rode the tour of three harbors first century in Feb (I finally decided "screw it", only rode the 75 and then had beer and gumbo). Not to mention the countless times I've been caught in it. I think I've had enough and I want a trainer. :D
thomson
10-09-06, 04:36 PM
Why yes, Jim, I rode 103 miles in the the Solvang rain, hail, sleet and lightening fest (okay, it only rained for about 40 miles of it and then cleared up but it sounds more impressive if I say 103 :p ). I also rode 75 miles in it (and a FULL 75) when I rode the tour of three harbors first century in Feb (I finally decided "screw it", only rode the 75 and then had beer and gumbo). Not to mention the countless times I've been caught in it. I think I've had enough and I want a trainer. :D
Oh, I know you are capable of riding in the rain, nothing will slow you down. I was just wondering if you enjoyed it. I guess you don't (I am pretty good at reading things :D )
ronjon10
10-09-06, 05:06 PM
Computrainer! You know, if you've got a spare $1500 under your pillows or something. I always wanted to try those.
ovoleg
10-09-06, 05:18 PM
I rode in the rain once...What a ******* of an experience because after I got home I had to clean the bike for 30+mins...
I use the trainer once a week or so...It gets pretty boring after 2minutes of being on the trainer though.
herbm
10-09-06, 05:25 PM
Most trainers don't. What I have done is set up an old '86 Centurion Ironman bike, that I updated with all the current gearing, shifters, etc. I've have set this bike up the same as my current road bike. This is now my beater bike and is set up on the trainer always ready to go. For a computer 1up sells a wired Cateye unit that gives you cadence, mph, time riding, & distance ridden from the rear wheel for $39. Its a wired unit, they also have a more expensive wireless unit, here is the link.
http://www.1upusa.com/computer.html
Thanks...I was looking on the performance site, and they had a couple of trainers that looked like they had builtin cadence/distance readouts...
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21068
this might be better if the wife and I both want to use it....will have to continue the research!
thanks for all the great info
h
merider1
10-09-06, 05:34 PM
Oh, I know you are capable of riding in the rain, nothing will slow you down. I was just wondering if you enjoyed it. I guess you don't (I am pretty good at reading things :D )
:lol: No, no...not capable! Which is why I don't care for it. Plus, I don't like water in between my toes. It creeps me out. :p
merider1
10-09-06, 05:35 PM
I rode in the rain once...What a ******* of an experience because after I got home I had to clean the bike for 30+mins...
I use the trainer once a week or so...It gets pretty boring after 2minutes of being on the trainer though.
Try riding on your trainer with an Ipod. :D
BigSean
10-09-06, 05:36 PM
:lol: No, no...not capable! Which is why I don't care for it. Plus, I don't like water in between my toes. It creeps me out. :p
When did this turn into a "what turns you on thread"?:lol:
roadfix
10-09-06, 05:39 PM
I haven't used my trainer in a while actually. Although I have used it recently on a couple of occassions to hold my bike up next to a large mirror for self-fitting sessions...:p
DaveSANYYZ
10-09-06, 05:46 PM
Just to give this thread another spin...
I got myself rollers 2 months ago. Was looking for a trainer/roller and decided on a roller thinking it'll improve my paddling stroke and riding in a very straight line. After 2 months of very infrequent use, I still can't ride it without being focused. I definitely can't watch a movie/surf the net/read a book while using it. This is my first "trainer"/roller (Kreitler), and to me it is noisy enough that I won't use it during early morning/midnight hours. YMMV.
merider1
10-09-06, 05:48 PM
When did this turn into a "what turns you on thread"?:lol:
:mad:
BigSean
10-09-06, 06:03 PM
:mad:
sorry M.E.:o My mind is warped from my ride yesterday.:p
merider1
10-09-06, 06:08 PM
sorry M.E.:o My mind is warped from my ride yesterday.:p
You're forgiven:D Besides, Sean, I'm always joking. It's in my nature!
BigSean
10-09-06, 06:44 PM
You're forgiven:D Besides, Sean, I'm always joking. It's in my nature!
:p
herbm
10-09-06, 06:49 PM
Interestingly the trainers on both Nashbar and performance that have displays are both magnetic..is fluid that much better? Should I not look at mag?
thanks
jschen
10-09-06, 06:51 PM
All I know is that I like my Kurt Kinetic trainer. My sisters (not avid cyclists themselves) researched it and pitched in to collectively buy it for me for Christmas last year. It's stable, the resistance is smooth and reasonably natural feeling, and while loud, it's not unbearably loud.
bitingduck
10-09-06, 08:04 PM
Just to give this thread another spin...
I got myself rollers 2 months ago. Was looking for a trainer/roller and decided on a roller thinking it'll improve my paddling stroke and riding in a very straight line. After 2 months of very infrequent use, I still can't ride it without being focused. I definitely can't watch a movie/surf the net/read a book while using it. This is my first "trainer"/roller (Kreitler), and to me it is noisy enough that I won't use it during early morning/midnight hours. YMMV.
I much prefer rollers over a trainer.
Most of the kreitlers have relatively (or even really) small drums and relatively high resistance, which isn't as good for spinning a lot. I like the biggest drums I can get and if I want more resistance I put it in a bigger gear or spin faster. I got some of the performance rollers that fold in half and have aluminum drums last summer, and they've been fine for times I needed them. I think it's a track thing-- you see very few trainers at big track events, and mostly see large diameter rollers-- everybody wants to keep the leg speed up.
And when it's raining I ride at the lumberyard...
DaveSANYYZ
10-09-06, 09:44 PM
I have a problem with picking up reviews from the internet. Got the smaller version of Kreitler because some reviewers say they roll too easily and requires the killer headwind unit (additional $). So I went cheap and got the polylite (intermediate) version from Performance.
Anyhow, I can pedal thru the full range of my 50/34-12/25, but anything short of the lowest combos and it requires a bit of work. Dripping wet only after 5 mins in top gear. Either I'm really, really weak or the reviewers are supermans. :lol:
As for being able to do other things while on the rollers, it'll take me quite some time before I'll get there.
caligurl
10-09-06, 09:45 PM
cycleops fluid 2.... both hubby and i have these....
tprevost
10-09-06, 10:08 PM
cyclops fluid 2.... both hubby and i have these....
ditto... seems to work fine (although I don't have anything to compare it to :rolleyes: ) I've only used it maybe 10 times; most of which were when I still had my cast on earlier this year...
t~
bitingduck
10-09-06, 10:20 PM
Anyhow, I can pedal thru the full range of my 50/34-12/25, but anything short of the lowest combos and it requires a bit of work. Dripping wet only after 5 mins in top gear. Either I'm really, really weak or the reviewers are supermans.
I think they like to mash on rollers or something-- I'm pretty strong and I find high resistance rollers really unpleasant to ride. I know riders who aren't as strong who like the small diameter ones. I can work up a good sweat on the big ones and it leaves my legs loose.
Haufigga
10-10-06, 12:23 AM
Just to give this thread another spin...
I got myself rollers 2 months ago. Was looking for a trainer/roller and decided on a roller thinking it'll improve my paddling stroke and riding in a very straight line. After 2 months of very infrequent use, I still can't ride it without being focused. I definitely can't watch a movie/surf the net/read a book while using it. This is my first "trainer"/roller (Kreitler), and to me it is noisy enough that I won't use it during early morning/midnight hours. YMMV.
Kreitler, noisy? Wow. Kreitler is one of the best rollers made and suppose to be pretty quiet. What size drum did you get?
I think rollers are great. But I've got both. I use them for different reasons, but I use my rollers much more than my trainer.
If you got $$$s, you want to get Velodyne. Best trainer IMHO, but costs more than most bikes and quite big too.
ovoleg
10-10-06, 01:45 AM
cyclops fluid 2.... both hubby and i have these....
why not just use the same one when the other isnt?
DaveSANYYZ
10-10-06, 06:50 AM
Kreitler, noisy? Wow. Kreitler is one of the best rollers made and suppose to be pretty quiet. What size drum did you get?I've never heard other rollers/trainers in action, so I can't compared mine to others. It just felt a little noisy when I'm using mine (on a trainer mat). I have the polylite (3" drums w/plastic end-caps).
socalrider
10-11-06, 03:36 AM
REI has the CycleOps Mag on sale for $119 through the 15th.
Thanks...thats seems like a good deal...
So a mag is ok to get as opposed to fluid?
markw
10-11-06, 10:16 AM
I love the 1up trainer. It's cnc'd aluminum and is quiet. It also folds darn near flat for storage.
http://www.1upusa.com
herbm
10-11-06, 11:22 AM
I love the 1up trainer. It's cnc'd aluminum and is quiet. It also folds darn near flat for storage.
http://www.1upusa.com
Thanks Mark..
That does look like a nice unit...
I am still confused aobut mag vs fluid???
DaveSANYYZ
10-11-06, 11:35 AM
I have no personal experience; but this is the conclusion I came up after researching on this 2 months ago:
mag:
- cheaper
- low/zero maintenance
fluid:
- potential leakage for cheaper ones after a while
- need to find one with good warranty because of potential leakage problem
- better "road-like" feel since the resistance is not linear with speed
BigAlMN
10-11-06, 11:46 AM
There is a world of difference.
I had the Fluid trainer; sold it after going to a roller. Wanted another trainer and bought a used mag trainer. The linear resistance makes the fluid trainer far more predictable, friendly, translates better to the rolling resistance of a road ride. Wish that I had spent the little extra for the fluid.
I found that the Kurt Kinetic had the better. stronger models and a far better warranty.