Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.
Marlin523
06-28-04, 09:14 PM
Not sure where to start this thread, but I'm a road cyclist considering either a trainer, rollers, or a spinning cycle. I picture myself planted in front of a TV riding those rainy days, nights, etc. What would you reccmmend and why?
Thanks for your responses
Well you start a thread by asking a question! And then you read other forums about the same thing.
I read several forums and asked questions on each forum and found that the one trainer brand that came the most was Cycle Ops (also known as Cyclops), and the one model that came up consistently was their Fluid 2. Armed with that info I went to my LBS where they had me try 4 of Cycle Ops trainers; the Wind, Magnetic, Magneto and the Fluid 2. The Wind was too loud and did not have a natural road feel, no adjustment to tension it more, but is the cheapest. The Magnetic was quieter but it still did not have that natural feel, goes up to about 350 watts but have to adjust the tension setting, and those are around $160, great for the casual user who doesn't want to spend a lot of cash. The Magneto is the best bang for the dollar, it's very quiet, smooth with a natural feel, it automatically adjusts the tension depending on cadience and can go up to 450 watts, which is more than enough for the average rider, cost is around $210. The next one is the Fluid 2, again very quiet and has a natural road feel, the auto tension, but goes up to 750 watts (Lance Armstrong can crank 750 sustained watts for 1 hour just to show you how hard this thing can get), more for the racer wanabe on a budget at about $260; this is the unit I purchased because I felt it gave me enough headroom I could grow into it. There is also a Fluid TT with a computer that will set you back about $600, for the racer with no money issues. All Cycle Ops come with a lifetime warranty, a cheap skewer (so you don't mar your good one), and a training video.
Rollers are good if you want to improve balance and spinning techinques, but they do not have the workout capability that the trainers have. Ideally you should have both, BUT that can get expensive so I just have the trainer.
A decent spinning cycle can cost over $800 plus take up space; your better off staying with a trainer, most of these trainers (if not all) can fold up and be put in a closet or trunk so you could take it on a car trip (bike on rack-trainer in trunk); try doing that with rollers or a spin cycle.