General Cycling Discussion - Which bike do you prefer to use on your indoor winter trainer? Road or MTB?

I'm about to get a new CycleOpts Fluid2 trainer for use this winter but need to go out and buy the front stacker/balancing block to use with it. I split my riding time equally between my road (Felt F80) and MTB (Specialized Rockhopper) and am trying to figure out which one I will put on this trainer. I was leaning towards my MTB as I'm the most comfortable on it. But, I'm trying to train for a charity ride next summer where you do back to back 100 mile days. I could mix and match and buy different stackers for the front tire, but that would probably be more of a pain in the butt then it was worth.

So which type of bike do you think would give me the best workout? What do you prefer on your trainer?

I use my Giant OCR3 racing bicycle on my trainer. I rarely ride that bicycle outside anymore because I have others I use for that, but I still like my Giant, so it's my trainer bicycle.

If you're training for a long ride, you might want to put the road bicycle on the trainer ... and that way you can ride your mtn bike outside in th snow.

I would just use whichever had either the smoothest tire, or the cheapest tire. Vibration is noticeable, and I've had lots of tire wear on trainers.

Did I ever mention that I hate trainers?

I would just use whichever had either the smoothest tire, or the cheapest tire. Vibration is noticeable, and I've had lots of tire wear on trainers.

Did I ever mention that I hate trainers?

Yes. Agree 100% on all counts. Slicks are best.

I HATE riding a trainer or running on a treadmill. I'd rather go out in the dark in 20F weather than ride a trainer. I'd also rather run even if it is much colder. Riding rollers is a bit better than a trainer, but I still cant manage to stay motivated for long workouts..

For some reason I don't mind a rowing machine as much, so I bought a slightly used Concept 2 erg.

Road. Once the studded tires go on two other bikes, then the road bike is indoors for the duration. Besides, an MTB on rollers isn't my idea of fun.

On rollers, do tires wear appreciably?

Honestly, I'd love to get a trainer that acts as a generator as well - it'd feel like I'm doing something...

On rollers, do tires wear appreciably?

Honestly, I'd love to get a trainer that acts as a generator as well - it'd feel like I'm doing something...

No. The milled aluminum is about the kindest surface most tires will ever see.

Ditto on the rollers, no noticeable tire wear whatsoever. The best thing about rollers is what they do for your pedal stroke. Spend a few days off the roads learning how to ride on your rollers, and then go for a ride, you'll notice a great improvement in your pedal stroke and balance immediately.

The bad thing about rollers is that you will fall off of them (many times), so don't set them near glass furniture, fireplace tools, or sleeping pets.

I only use the trainer a few days in the winter, normally I am riding all winter and only stay on if it is REALLY REALLY bad out. So the bike on the trainer is the road bike I ride in the non-wintry months.

If the weather is just too crappy out then it's my fixed gear on the rollers. I just rely on that for winter maintanance not for peak fitness. I look on the winter months to recover and do more xc skiing. I also hate the treadmill and will run outside in the local hills unless the snow is just too deep or the trails are wet and mucky.