Training & Nutrition - New trainer

I'm planning on getting a trainer over the holidays and need some feedback.
I'm planning on getting a fluid trainer as I've read that they are the most realistic. My spending habits are a bit cut back though because I'm saving up for a new road bike :D
I found a fluid trainer at Nashbar under their name for $174.99 Has anyone else used this trainer? I'm just worried about quality as other FT's I've seen are around $250 and up.
I'm also concerned about the wear on my current bike. I have a Trek hardtail and have put 1 inch wide slicks on it and want to put a road cassette on it as well, all to tide me over until I get my road bike. I've heard that using a trainer can put excessive stress on the head tube, and thus shorten the life of the bike. Has anyone else heard of this? If so does anyone have recommendations to limit this.

hey man, i got a new trainer last year, and i have hardly ever used it. I can sell u it for pretty cheap, and its brand new. Its a mag trainer with the handle bar mounted resistence lever. And since u dont live ery far from me, shipping will be a breeze! I havent heard anything about the excessive stress part, but i guess it could be true. A riser block might help that a little. And I just found a picture of it too....It retails for $159.99......make me an offer :) http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.html?SKU=14080&Store=Bike

Because of my inability to ride during the week (due to it’s dark by the time I get home) I have decided to break down and buy a bike trainer. I know that I definitely want one with variable resistance that can be changed remotely, but not sure if I should get one that the tire rides on or one that applies the resistance to the rim. Anybody have any experiences with either? What are the advantages (other than tire wear)?

Bobsled:
I have a cycleops fluid trainer the faster you ride the more resistance that is applied its not that you reeally notice a big differance though. To make it harder to pedal you just shift into a bigger gear
put an old tire on your back rim to save wear on your good rubber
catfish

Well I bought a used one from some one locally and it was the "inter-rim" type with no remote. Work well and to change resistance I just change gears. That's it. Thanks.

Originally posted by Bobsled
Well I bought a used one from some one locally and it was the "inter-rim" type with no remote. Work well and to change resistance I just change gears. That's it. Thanks.

and you can use it with a mountain bike or if it's like one of ours you can hook a tandem up to it as well.