Training & Nutrition - bike trainers vs. staionary bikes...

I'm starting to look for winter work outs and so i'm wondering what you guys would suggest as far as a staionary bike. Would you recomend to put my bike on a rear wheel trainer or would you say go with an actual stationary bike? I'm wanting to be able to practice my out of saddle pedal strokes and the trainier seems like it would atleast dig in to the frame of my bike if not bend the drop-outs. but also a true stationary bike doesn't sway at all.

any info or insight would be greatly appreciated

TNG

I think I am going to pick up a set of Kreitler rollers, have you considered that?

i have thought of that, was about to start looking around for them actually, i can't find any at a lbs but i was gonna start checking the internet.

thanks for the lightning fast reply

TNG

I'm wanting to be able to practice my out of saddle pedal strokes and the trainier seems like it would atleast dig in to the frame of my bike if not bend the drop-outs. but also a true stationary bike doesn't sway at all.

You could get a model that the fork clamps into. At least you would be supported in more than 1 place.

I assume you've spent a fair amount of time dialing in your fit and comfort, something that would be hard to duplicate on a stationary bike.

-murray

I have an older computrainer that works with a modified nintendo. It's hooked up to an old tv. The graphics are simple but I can see myself and a pacer on the screen as well as watts, average watts, speed, average speed, distance etc. The road feel is very good and you can work super hard without a wobble. As you know it's dull riding trainers, but I find that watching the pacer on the tv is a huge benefit for me that makes it more interesting. It's just like riding behind someone's wheel. You can make the pacer as strong as Lance and try to hold his wheel. It's great motivation. I know the newer computrainers have better graphics via a PC. They are expensive, but a great way to do intensity during the winter. I don't do long, slow rides on the computrainer during winter. I just bundle up.

I have a newer Computrainer. It really makes the indoor ride more interesting as you can program it to give you any course you want. I can program in a wind that as I do a loop moves from head wind to tailwind. I like toys what can I say. It even will show your pedel stroke in live time.

Cheers

The trainers I've used have only marked up my quick release skewer. I like using my road bike as it fits right. If you do use a trainer either cover your bike well to protect it from perspiration or use a really big fan to keep it evaporated before it drips on the bike.

ok so what is this computrainer? if there is a link that i could look around on that would be easier than for you to explain pass it my way and i'll take a look. i was looking through my raligh america supplier book tonight and i can get a roller for like $35 but the drums have no resistance. they just have the rubber band from the middle drum to the front drum. there is another one in there with 7 levels of resistance but it's a fortune some where around $280's and i dont wanna drop 280 on rollers so i was wondering if the non-resistance rollers would be a good trainer or what you all thought

TNG

Here is a link to explain the computrainer and their other products: COMPUTRAINER.COM (http://www.computrainer.com/index.asp)

Here is a link to explain the computrainer and their other products: COMPUTRAINER.COM (http://www.computrainer.com/index.asp)


Wow, darn interesting site, thanks!

heh, no problem. Those things are expensive though! I want the older one that park has that works through the modified nintendo, maybe that one's a little bit cheaper :)

One caveat about the roller option since this is what I've been using in the off season for years - if you have your bike carefully dialed in, things will be different on the rollers since the front wheel sits on top of one roller and the rear wheel sits lower between two rollers. A front fork mount might reduce that difference, but then you take away the real reason for using the rollers - balance and a more intense train. With a little fussing, howerver, you should be able to raise your seat slightly and drop the nose of the seat to perfectly match your road position.

I will be buying an electronic trainer (Cycleops Electronic +) because I love gadgets and also, I think the features, ESPECIALLY the Web Racing feature, will motivate me to use it a lot.

One caveat about the roller option since this is what I've been using in the off season for years - if you have your bike carefully dialed in, things will be different on the rollers since the front wheel sits on top of one roller and the rear wheel sits lower between two rollers. A front fork mount might reduce that difference, but then you take away the real reason for using the rollers - balance and a more intense train. With a little fussing, howerver, you should be able to raise your seat slightly and drop the nose of the seat to perfectly match your road position.

Wouldn't you be able to do this by propping the rear end of the roller base up (i.e. on a thin board, etc) to compensate for the drop in the rear tire height? I'm just taking a stab, I haven't gotten to ride with rollers yet, but it seems like it would work.

Sorry robgreen....just getting caught up on the forum tonight. You know, I never thought of trying to adjust the rear height if the rollers, but after you ride them for a while I think you'll see that you definitely DO NOT want to do anything that could reduce your stability! On the other hand....I can't imagine why some manufacturer hasn't thought of tweaking either the diameter of the front vs. rear rollers or maybe the height the respective rollers are mounted within the frame itself.

When some manufacturer finally manages to do this, remember....you and I figured it out first here in the forums so we've got the patent rights! Now....get back to the road and ride...!

I have a Lifecycle and a set of rollers. The Lifecycle has limited adjustments, but I love setting it on the hill profile and running it. With that said, I must admit that after riding the lifecycle my knees hurt. (The limited adjustments make it impossible for me to be totally comfortable.) Riding of the rollers, was difficult at first, but after getting the hang of it, it has made me a much better rider. My balance is greatly improved, as well as pedaling smoother.