Triathlon - cycle trainer. too many to choose from

Any advice on choosing a cycle trainer. there are lots to choose from at a wide range of prices. Let me know what you have how you like it. etc.

Cyclops fluid. Go with the fluid. They are much quieter and smooth. I have the cyclops and have never had any trouble with it. Regardless of what brand you choose...go with the fluid over mag or wind.

I don't use a trainer as I prefer rollers. I currently have a set of the Kreitler rollers and they are fantastic. If you are set on a trainer then I would recommend the Kurt Kinetic. I did some research a while back when I was considering one. The Cyclops Fluid is probably one of the most common but you can pick up the Kurt Kinetic for about the same price on ebay. The advantage of the Kurt Kinetic is that it can not leak. The drive shaft does not go into the fluid reservoir and thus there is no seal to leak. The drive shafts is driven via a magnet pretty ingenious. The cyclops fluid has a drive shaft into the fluid reservoir and has the potential to leak over time. Just my two cents.
If you are looking to get a cheap one. PB has the travel tracs for about $150. We just picked one up for my mother in law for Christmas. I got a sweet deal on it from PB and ended up paying $100.

Definitely go with the fluid.

Cyclops Fluis 2 or Kurt Kinetic(which can leak, but it is VERY rare. The Cycleops fluids used to leak like crazy but I think they fixed that with the Fluid 2.)

I recently got a Cyclops Fluid and I love it. It's very quiet. I would recommend getting a climbing block to go along with whatever you choose. It just helps keep the bike more stable.

Search these forums for 1Up and Kurt Kinetic as these get recommended most frequently. These threads also have advice on cooling, sweat thongs, safety, tires, how to amuse yourself, video, etc. The BikeForums Search function may be imperfect, but if you use an uncommon but specific term such as "1Up" you will find numerous relevant threads.

Edit: Just did a search on "1Up" as the keyword. 15 good threads in the last year.

Has anyone tried Performance Bike's Travel Trac I-Force? I was considering it but found a sweet deal online for the neon green 2008 Kurt Kinetic Road Trainer before I could get into the store to test out the I-Force. I can't find any forum where it's recommended but only because no one seems to have tried it yet! When I did get to the store I was amazed how quiet it is, but that's in a large store where sound dissipates and there are lots of distractions. No regrets - I'm happy with my KK but just wonder if anyone is going to give this new technology a shot?

-- Joolie

Fluid sucks. They leak. Mag and wind suck too - not dependable.

The #1 best all around no doubt A+ numero uno trainer best engineered most reliable problem free...........

The 1-Up. They sell at a discount on eBay. Shipping is lightning fast, too.

I am my sis bought ours 3 years ago. Best investment I made in my training. Period.

'nuff said. Buy a 1-UP.

One of the things that everyone seems to say in response to getting a trainer is definitely go with fluid. I have seen some responses where people say to stay away from the fluid if you are going to do spin classes. My situation is this:

I am new to biking and am training for a century in March. I am a clydesdale and out of shape. Over the past couple of months I have built up enough to do anywhere from 30-50 miles on my group training rides every Saturday. Given the fact that there are so few daylight hours during the week, I need to supplement my training with a trainer. I plan on doing spin classes at my LBS a couple of nights a week. Basically, I need to get into much better riding shape and find some way to get better on hills. They are my kryptonite.

I know I need to get in lots of good, old fashioned saddle time which I know that the fluid would be great riding in front of the tv at home. But, since you can't adjust the resistance on a fluid, I can't help but think that the mag is the way to go.

I bought a Cycleops Mag+ today but then saw someone selling a twice used Clycleops Fluid for $30 less than I paid for the Mag. So, what would you do in these circumstances?

Why not rollers?

I only have a few hundred miles on my rollers, but I think it has helped me technically with my riding. I am a clyde and only been biking for about 6 months after a 25 year hiatus. It seems to me rollers were a better option than a trainer.

I bought a Cycleops Mag+ today but then saw someone selling a twice used Clycleops Fluid for $30 less than I paid for the Mag. So, what would you do in these circumstances?

What's $30 when you think about it? $0.08/day over the course of a year. If you decided to go Mag, you bought a Mag, just enjoy your new Mag and stop looking over your shoulder! :)

-- Joolie