Foo - Advice Please: Rollers or Trainer

EDIT - Thanks for all the advise Foo Rats! I ended up with a CycleOps Mag +. Will update after I have some miles on it to let you know how I like it.

I am really depressed about the lack of saddle time lately, so have decided I would like to get a trainer or rollers. I have a budget of $200. II will be riding indoors after kids go to bed. Single story house, so neighbors not an issue, but do not want something really noisy. Any input is greatly appreciated.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=230015

I asked they same questions a few months back in Road Cycling, see above.

Bought a house, so I ended up with neither.:(

But should be getting sorted out for next winter:)

If you don't concentrate, rollers can be extremely noisy when you go through the drywall! :eek:

Rollers work on bike handling skills and trainer stand works on Aerobic conditioning.

A good trainer will be about $250.00 or so. There are mag trainers for $99 from Dick's Sporting Goods, but they are so noisy that your neighbors 3 miles away will complain. The best trainer is the Kurt Kinetic, it's a fluid trainer. If you go rollers, I'd look at this
http://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Roller-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000BT8VPG

If you go with the PVC rollers, you get a cr@ppy roller set up. Have padding beside you to avoid crash damage to you!

Vega, the room has brick walls, but the ceiling is sheetrock!:D

Tom, I will probably end up with a trainer, though I like the idea of rollers for some reason. Thanks for your input.

Thanks for the link to that thread, Flyingscotsman, lots of good info. I knew I could search, but really wanted the advice of FOO, as it will be honest and funny, not "search function is working" like the roadies did to you before offering TONS of advice.

If anyone else has any ideas, toss em at me. Going to the LBS tomorrow. Have $100 in gift dollars and then I have talk the wife out of the rest. Should not be too hard, as she has a gym membership so she can workout with her girlfriends. I use the monthly fee she pays as leverage when I need bike money.:D

Did you watch the rollers video in the thread?

I think for me I would prefer the trainer but I would also buy another wheelset for the trainer and repalce my computer

Did you watch the rollers video in the thread?

I think for me I would prefer the trainer but I would also buy another wheelset for the trainer and repalce my computer
Kurt also makes a rear wheel sensor computer that works well for the road too. Gives wattage, speed, elapsed time and miles as well as AVG and Peak and current speed.

Did you watch the rollers video in the thread?

I think for me I would prefer the trainer but I would also buy another wheelset for the trainer and repalce my computer
tried to but my craptastic browser would not open it. Did not try too hard. I have cheap tires on my steel Falcon, will probably just keep it in the trainer and save the Trek for the road. No need to switch skewers etc. that way.

rollers are better in a lot of ways - but more of a PITA. Every bit as tough as an aerobic workout, and they really work on your handling skills. But wowsers - lose you concentration for a sec and BAM, you're sailing across the living room. I can clip into my trainer and watch a movie while I'm pedaling. Can't do that with rollers.

Trainer is also more compact, see how little space I need. By the way, put a carpet runner under it! Don't forget a front wheel riser either!
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/trainer004.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/trainer003.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/trainer002.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/trainer001.jpg

I'm going with a CycleOps Fluid 2, but not from an LBS unless it's on sale.

Brick? At least you won't have to worry about repairing the walls. :D

Nice pics, Tom. Do you always ride your trainer with a tool bag under the saddle? Hey, never know when you might have a flat and need to make a repair away from the garage. :p

Nice pics, Tom. Do you always ride your trainer with a tool kit under the saddle? Hey, never know when you might have a flat and need to make a repair away from the garage. :p
I also road race that bike on long, unsupported or minimal support races, and the bag is clamp mounted to the saddle.

EDIT: It's just easier to leave the bag on.;)

I'm going with a CycleOps Fluid 2, but not from an LBS unless it's on sale.

Brick? At least you won't have to worry about repairing the walls. :D
I was given $100 gift certificate to my LBS, so I am leaning towards a trainer. They are good people and my family have traded with them since I was a kid. They have the Fluid2 for $299, not sure if I want to spend that much.

I was given $100 gift certificate to my LBS, so I am leaning towards a trainer. They are good people and my family have traded with them since I was a kid. They have the Fluid2 for $299, not sure if I want to spend that much.
Fluid2 or Kurt is about = in quality. I think you'd not be real happy with a magnetic or fan trainer, both are noisy and don't give as good a workout.

I was given $100 gift certificate to my LBS, so I am leaning towards a trainer. They are good people and my family have traded with them since I was a kid. They have the Fluid2 for $299, not sure if I want to spend that much.
I just saw a CycleOps Fluid 2 for $330 at an LBS here. I'm gonna check around in the coming week, and if I can't find it cheaper here, and if I can't find it online cheaper (including shipping), I may just bite the bullet. I really like the CycleOps.

Jeff, I just got my roller belt in so my rollers will be usable this weekend. Come on by and see if you like the rollers deal. I say you buy a trainer so we can trade off every few weeks and get the best of both worlds. :)

Can I mention one other option? Take the money, get a winter beater and get out and ride. ;)

I bought a nashbar fluid (no resistance settings) with a riser block this past week for just under $135 before shipping. I'm happy with it.

Nice input, at this late (or early?) hour, Cat. Would you wish to have variable resistance?

Can I mention one other option? Take the money, get a winter beater and get out and ride. ;)
I do that too!

Catatonic,the Kurt's resistance goes up as the rpm does + has a magnetic drive on the fluid resistance unit, so no shaft or bearings to eventually develop a leak on the living room floor. :D

Uh, Tom. Why are you already awake? Or does Vega just not know how late/early it is? <very serious Vega look>

Uh, Tom. Why are you already awake? Or does Vega just not know how late/early it is? <very serious Vega look>
It's early, but I got up early to see a snowy sunrise and get pics for my brother. He misses snow badly! (Lives in Cebu in the Philippines). We're finally getting snow!

Way-ul, the natural question poses itself: are you gonna post these beautiful pics? And will your bro' send you pics for posting from the far east? Maybe we need a sunrise thread? :D We can get some, maybe, from the DMZ?

Way-ul, the natural question poses itself: are you gonna post these beautiful pics? And will your bro' send you pics for posting from the far east? Maybe we need a sunrise thread? :D We can get some, maybe, from the DMZ?
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Snowday003.jpg

Brrrrr! Ah'm gawn ta baid! Brrrrrr!

Brrrrr! Ah'm gawn ta baid! Brrrrrr!
Sleep tight! (Tucks covers!)

:D Thanks, Tom! <snuggling in for a good sleep>

You can get the Kurt Kinetic for almost $200. Look here: http://www.gottaridebikes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TRN0001&Category_Code=KKT&Product_Count=5

$275 less 15% on your first order and free shipping. Comes out to $233. If I remember right, the shipping is free, but the extra weight surcharge you still have to pay. Something like $10 or so.

Kurt is a great company. Mine came and the legs weren't right or something because it wobbled. They replaced it immediately. And I do mean immediately; they sent the replacement frame the next day and included a box and UPS return label to send the defective one back after I transferred the resistance unit.

For me, I went with the trainer because there's no way in hell I could concentrate on a roller and ride it long enough to make it worthwhile. I park mine in front of the TV, put on a show or pop in a DVD and can at least distract myself from the sheer boredom that is indoor riding. If I tried that on a roller, I'm sure I'd get an up close and personal view of whatever was playing on the TV!!

Hey All,

Thanks for all the advice. Since I had $100 in gift cert. for my LBS, online was not really on option. Went to the LBS and spent quite a bit of time riding the entire CycleOps Line. Although the Fluid 2 was nice. I could not tell that much of a difference in it and the Mag + as far as noise was concerned. The Fluid 2 did offer a more realistic riding experience as far as resistance, but I just did not think it was big enough to justify the added $100 in price. I do like the fact that the Mag 2 offers me the ability to just spin or crank up the resistance with the bar mounted lever. Ended up with the Mag + for $199.

Jeff