Training & Nutrition - Which spin bike?

I've been usiing a Cycle-Ops fluid trainer with an old bike for many years, and both recently fell apart. I recently rode a spin bike at the gym and liked it a lot, and am thinking of getting one to replace my old set up. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good one: one that can be adjusted to feel like my road bike, that's quiet, and durable? Thanks!

I wouldn't recommend a spin bike at all. Just get a set of rollers or even a trainer for your road bike. If you're doing a lot of riding, the geometry is quite important. That said, I like spin bikes, too, but once a week is plenty. A road bike on rollers is the thing.

I would rather buy a set of rollers and another bike, than a spin bike!!!!! I have tried multiple spin bikes and really struggle with trying to get it to fit comfortable. I would rather have my own bike on rollers. Just my $.02

Rollers scare me--I don't want to fall...

Rollers scare me--I don't want to fall...

Very valid concern. What are training for though? If you are training to compete, rollers help immensely with balance and overall coordination (think keeping a straight line while inches from other riders). If you are just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, roller's benefits are negligible. Just buy another cheap trainer on sale at one of the megamarts or craigslist.

Again, IF you are ever thinking of competing or riding in a group in close quarters, rollers are really beneficial and are worth the learning curve. Just park the roller in a doorway so that you have something to grab onto if you loose your balance. In no time you'll find yourself riding smoother than ever.

Rollers scare me--I don't want to fall...Yeah, put 'em in a doorway - a narrowish doorway, with your shoulders in the opening when on the hoods. I probably fell off a dozen times when I was learning, but all I ever got were a few pedal scrapes on my calves.

I'm not training to compete, I'm training to...train. For fitness. I've been using an old bike with an old trainer. Both are shot. I figured that for the cost of fixing the bike and getting a trainer that isn't broken, I'd be in spin bike territory. It's less about the money, though, than it is about getting a set-up that's comfortable and quiet enough to use with the three Spinerval DVDs I own on days when I don't feel like going outside, or can't. Thanks.

I don't have one but these look nice

http://www.lemondfitness.com/

PS Your fluid trainer should have a life time warranty

Anyone have experience with the Kurt Kinetic Rock & Roll trainer? Rollers purest may sneer, but it looks like you could get the best of both a trainer and rollers....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIboBC_-FRE

And I agree, get a trainer or rollers, not a spin bike. Go to the gym if you want a spin bike ride...

I spin many times a week. But I would not buy a spin bike. The cost to buy a good one will let you buy decent rollers AND a very high end trainer (plus a computer to attach to it).

I vote for the LeMond bike. It's smooth, has a great set up, and has the computer attachement for speed, cal burned, hr, cadence, and miles per hour. It's a lot more interactive than the other spin bikes, and because it's belt driven, you have to really work on keeping a nice smooth pedal stroke. You can't cheat with resistance either, which is nice compared to the other spin bikes.

koffee

So
cuffydog


what did you do?

Well, being somewhat indecisive, I haven't pulled the trigger yet, except to shoot down--on the basis of what you all recommended--the spin bike. So, I'm going to get a new trainer, and almost bought the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine last night, but got sidetracked by the 1up trainer after watching a Youtube video of the two. The 1up was essentially silent, which I found quite attractive. But in the reviews of the 1up, there seemed to be a problem with the resistance unit going bad. So I emailed the 1up folks, who also sell tons of KK Road Machines, and said I was choosing between the two, and they said the problem with resistance had been fixed, and that the 1 up was the better machine. Which may be true, but may not be true, and I can't figure out a way to find out. My goal is to have a setup I don't have to think about, once it's up and running. If anyone has a recent 1up, please weigh in. But, bottom line, I will have a new trainer, and not a spin bike, by week's end. Thanks to most of you!

Final update: I ordered the Kurt Road Machine. Phew!

Out of all the choices, the best one is the one you will use!

Actually, I'd use any of them, I think. After all, I've been using a broken down bike on a broken down Cycle-ops trainer for quite a while, so anything is going to be better than that! But thanks for all the help here.

You will not be sorry with the Kurt, I believe it will come wiht a 6 lb flywheel. What you are going to find is this is good for intervals however to get a better simulated effect of long rides you will want to cosider the additional 12 lb flywheel that can be attached. I actually just talked to Pam at Kurt today and ordered the 12 lb flywheel for mine. To determine if you can attach the additional flywheel you will have to look at the flywheel bolt and see if it has been drilled and tapped. If so then you can call PAM and order the machined flywheel made for our trainers. You will not find this option if you go to the Kurt web site. I should get my flywheel next week.:thumb:

Thanks, Gugs. I'll check that out. I've only used the trainer to do Spinervals and Sufferfests. I'm really looking forward to the Kurt, which should be here by mid-week.

For anyone else interested, Schwinn makes a nice indoor bike now that measures wattage/power, calorie output (based off power reading), cadence and speed, and heart rate. That was a schweeeeeeeeeet ride when I got on one last week!

If being comfortable is important, look at a recumbent exercise bike.

I couldn't convince the wife to use the bike on a wind trainer, but, she said she would use a recumbent. i was hoping to find a decent one on craigslist in the $100 range, but, came across a really nice life fitness RT8. The guy wouldn't budge from his $300 price, so, i gave in.

Man, am I glad I did. This is a fitness club quality machine and it requires no batteries or power cord. It is extremely smooth and quiet. I can pedal at a very high resistance/cadence without turning the boob tube volume up.

I have been intrigued by bent bikes for a while now and riding this thing with zero discomfort has me even more interested.

Wonder how i'd look in a beard? :)

One other thing: I put a Cateye Strada cyclometer with cadence on my trainer bike. It's a cheap--about $40--way to get a read on effort.