Road Cycling - Winter Trainers

Yeah - I know it's still summer and I should be out riding.
But I'm at work - thinking about snow and what I'm going to do when I can't ride outdoors. I also figure there's probably some good deals to be had right now...:D

So what do you all recomend I look at?
My first reaction is CycleOps - Fluid... But the price may put my marriage into tilt mode...

I'll probably ride a couple (3) days a week. The goal will be to keep up the cardio and not let old man winter ruin the hard work I've put in on the old leg muscles.

I like the idea of being able to control the resistance. Instead of simply getting more resistance as I go faster. But then again I've never riden one so I can't really be the judge.

I had someone tell me to get a roller system - much more realistic and better for balance and stability.

As always your comments and critisism are gladly taken... with a:D

R:beer:

I have rollers and wind trainer. The roller will help with balance and bike controll. I have the Performance Travler II, it is a mag not fluid, but still very smooth and does have adj resistance. It was also hlaf the price of the CycleOps.
Having both I would say go with the wind trainer.
Dave

I have a Tacx Cycleforce One that I like. It's reasonably quiet and resistance can be adjusted manually, no matter what speed you're pedaling.

It would be better if you have the option to try a few before you buy one. I had one that was so noisy that I never wanted to use it, and when I did, it wasn't for very long.

Better yet...buy yourself some cross-country skis and save yourself from the mental torture of the stationary trainer :)

I have a Opps Magneto Trainer and I last winter I tried to use it three times a week for an hour a crack; I couldn't do it. If you plan on using a trainer three times a week you had better have alot of patience for staring at the same four walls. Granted you can always watch tv, but I suggest one or two days on the trainer and one or two days at a spinning class.

I just put the tour in the dvd player and spin away. I will do have to say if you are on rollers and watching the tour, don't try and lean into the corners. Yes, I got carpet rash one winter.
Dave

The Spinergy tapes seem to give you a lot of variation in resistance without needing to change the resistance of the trainer. They do this by using the gears, varying cadence, varying sit down and stand up.

I have a trainer with variable resistance adjustable from the bar, but find I did not use it with these videos.

I have this tremendous problem of burning out on the trainer and gradually doing it less and less as winter goes longer.

Would any of you be interested in a Bike Forums support group for folks doing trainers?

I am also considering going to the early morning spin classes at the rec center just up the street. Anybody have experience with spin classes and practice?

Damn I hate winter!!

I do NOT want to lose the hard-earned conditioning I have built up over this summer.

This is actually a pretty good time to think about winter trainers... they're still on sale here and there. Wait 'til fall or winter and you'll pay retail. Do a search in the Training and Nutrition forum, your question has been asked before, and the answers don't change that much.

Remember to set aside enough money for a big fan, too.

Staying motivated to keep using the trainer through the winter is a battle. It pays dividends in the spring and summer, but while you're on the trainer grinding away base miles and wondering if your clock has stopped, it's hard to appreciate.

I would say stay away from the wind resistence type of trainers. If you can plunk down the cash get a magnetic resistence type instead. I found the one reason I could not get into indoor spinning was the noise created by the fan. This past winter, I purchsed a CycleOps mag trainer (which is cheaper then the Fluid) and now enjoy listening to my tunes, at a reasonable sound level, instead of wearing headphones or having the computer blasting out the tunes.

I must say, I'm spoiled. I have the Computrainer. It cost a small fortune, but it was well worth it (IMO).

The computer connectivity is awesome. I love the ability to ride against my previous performances. The automoatic resistance adjustment (based on course attributes) makes it a much more realistic experience. The new mapping software they released allows you to program in your local routes with accurate topography!! I rode my regular summer routes all winter long even though we had snow on the ground most of the winter.

Sounds like you're looking for something reasonably priced, so this is likely not it. But, it is awesome!

I have Cyclops Fluid2 and Rollers.
I prefer the rollers to build cadence and smooth pedal
stroke. I really use the trainer in the winter to build miles
and maintain fitness.
The newest Cyclops (magneto? something like that) gets very
good reviews, its variable resistance without the hassle of
fluid.
Speaking of hassles. My fluid2 leaked, I contacted Cyclops and
they shipped new resistance unit the same day, and include
prepaid shippiing to return the old one. Very good cust service
I would recommend them to anyone.
If you're going for Rollers Kreitler are the best, hands down
(no pun intended!). If price is an issue Tacx and Cyclops both
make nice units.

Marty