So I caved and bought a KK road machine yesterday.

I've had two 30 minute runs on it...here is my report:

People are correct about two things: 1) it is very difficult to maintain focus (I had both my iPod and MTV on (muted for visual stimuli)). 2) it gets hot! even with a dual fan blasting, i was dripping sweat all over the carpet (the LBS was out of sweat catchers)

That said, I wasn't trying an specific work out...more just to try getting used to it (30 minutes at about 160bpm...need to install my cadence sensor back on my rig).

It's surprisingly loud. I found I had difficulty hearing the TV when it was set at normal levels (hense the ipod...i live in a basement suite so i try to be as quiet as possible). I wonder if they can hear me upstairs (nix the 1am riding idea :-P)

I found it a little awkward to set my bike into it, but i assume this gets easier with practice.

Finally, I have a question about tire wear....I normally run Schwabe Ultremo's and didn't swap them off for test runs. I haven't inspected them closely for a while but it would appear that the trainer caused a lot of premature wear (hairline tears) and caused the tire do go 'shiny' (best way to describe it)

Have I fried my tires? I know they encourage (non dual compound) slicks (I have some old ones I was going to swap on)....ultremo's are triple compound i believe...I just didn't expect so much wear after an hours riding time.

I had the tension set as per instructions. Little to no slipping (unless I purposely broke the tire loose)...

An old towel works pretty well for catching sweat. I can't help you out with your tire question but it seems strange that it would wear so quickly.

I do think it is loud for me as well so I set up speakers for the television next to the bike. I figured it was just because my room is small and it amplified the noise. I find it noisier than in my friend's garage (door open) with 2 KK, a cycleops and another older magnetic.

So I caved and bought a KK road machine ...

It's surprisingly loud. ...

Finally, I have a question about tire wear....I normally run Schwabe Ultremo's and didn't swap them off for test runs. I haven't inspected them closely for a while but it would appear that the trainer caused a lot of premature wear (hairline tears) and caused the tire do go 'shiny' (best way to describe it)

Have I fried my tires? I know they encourage (non dual compound) slicks (I have some old ones I was going to swap on)....ultremo's are triple compound i believe...I just didn't expect so much wear after an hours riding time.

I had the tension set as per instructions. Little to no slipping (unless I purposely broke the tire loose)...
Get a Continental Ultrasport Hometrainer tire. This is a dedicated trainer tire made to run cooler (and maybe quieter) than an outside tire. Search BikeForums for several threads on them. Note that getting it on your rim may give you a workout even before you use your trainer.

Would wireless headphones work for the TV?

For the sweat issue I found that placing a yoga mat under the trainer does wonders. I have been using the same mat for three years now. As for the tire, I used a Kenda tire on mine all last season, I also rode the same tire on the road for around 2,500 miles, never had a problem. I am going to use a Continental training tire this year though.

As for the boredom, I find that watching a few episodes of family guy really helps me get through a session. Either that or put in a good action movie.

Get a Continental Ultrasport Hometrainer tire. ... Search BikeForums for several threads ...

Since the BikeForums Search is not working at present, find the threads using Google Advanced Search. In Google Advanced Search you should restrict the domain to "www.bikeforums.net" and seach for "hometrainer". Several posts on how these tires are quiter, cooler, and a challange to mount on rims (probably due to the same properties that make them good on a trainer).

cycling DVDs are pretty handy (training ones not legends of the TdF or things of that nature), they give you a specific workout as well as keeping you focused. I've blown through an hour before i knew it using them.

As for sweat....on the floor its disgusting...on the bike it can be damaging.....you may want to throw a towel over your rig

and +1 on the continental training tire.....it's far better than a regular tire

thanks for the feed back. i did end up throwing a towel under the bike so it would help prevent my small apt from smelling like a gym...

It would be cheaper to buy an old Conti wire bead tire thats been sitting around for awhile than that indoor trainer tire.

Been using a Conti gatorskin wire bead 5 days a week since October while on the trainer with no issues. Picked it up for 10 bucks at a shop.