Fifty Plus (50+) - Indoor Stationary Trainers

I hate accumulating much stuff that just adds bulk to what I drag around the country with me, from one job to another. But this is the time of year that I really need to do something about bike riding when it's so damned cold outside.

I know this is the wrong time of year to be buying one of those stationary trainers, that you clamp the rear of your bike to and grind away inside. But I'm about to break down and get one, if for only the next couple of months.

Do you have any experience with the things? What do you suggest?

I'm about to give into a Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer since the snow's not going to melt this weekend. It and the fluid trainer from Kurt Kinetic seem to garner the most recommendations when searching BF on the topic. I can get the Cycleops locally for sure.

Younger friends still racing locally all use the Cycleops Fluid 2. <cough> So does pcad... <cough><cough> Don't let that disuade you. :D

I have an older Blackburn stationary trainer and a set of rollers. Since I bought the rollers the stationary trainer became a glorified bike stand.

I agree with seemonkee, i.e. rollers are overall better for you and your form and if you want resistance some brands (Krietler and Tacx for sure) have fans to increase the work load.

Rick / OCRR

I'm about to give into a Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer since the snow's not going to melt this weekend. It and the fluid trainer from Kurt Kinetic seem to garner the most recommendations when searching BF on the topic. I can get the Cycleops locally for sure.

Younger friends still racing locally all use the Cycleops Fluid 2. <cough> So does pcad... <cough><cough> Don't let that disway you. :D
I bought the Cycleops Fluid 2 last year and have found it to be quiet and smooth. If you have to work out inside it is a good unit.

I have both Kreitler rollers and a 1UP USA stationary trainer and highly recommend both. The trainer is now used for resistance training / interval work and specific things like jumps, one legged drills, etc. I ride rollers on "recovery" days to work on overall balance, bike handling skills, and smoother pedal stroke. Haven't gotten to the point yet where I'll do the one legged drills on the rollers, but that day is approaching.

I agree with Timtruro. The Cycleops Fluid trainer works well, is quiet etc. I know some of you can ride in ice and snow (and presumably in the dark), but I can and do get a good workout on the trainer.

I have an old Minoura Team Mag Turbo that I found at Goodwill for $11 a decade or so ago. Well worth the money; much better than not riding at all.

I just bought a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Fluid and it has been really nice so far. I have access to spin bikes also but prefer the trainer if I have a choice. Whatever you buy, don't forget to consider its noise level. The CycleOps wheel block is very effective.

I got a Kurt Kinetic road machine for Christmas this year. Its great, quiet enough for me to watch tv while working out. I didn't get the wheel block, I just put a book the I didn't like under the front tire.

Now I just need the computer that for the rear wheel and cadence.

I have a 1-Up and a Computrainer and rarely use either these days. I'm just burned out on the trainer. Both are good trainers but neither is fun.

I have a fluid trainer and a set of rollers. Both have their benefits. Fluid trainers have a resistance curve that is closer to road riding than the resistance of the mag trainers. Having a computer that lets you see cadence is important as well as using a HR monitor. It does take some time to get into the mind numbing mode and be able to spend up to 2 hours on either. Doing a verity of drills and intervals will allow for less tedium while on the equipment. At first 30 minutes is a goal, then 45 minutes and so on. After a bit you begin to just adapt to the workout because that is what you are doing. As for being boring? I think doing core and resistance work is more boring than either the trainer or rollers.

I got a cheap Blackburn trainer at Christmas, mainly because I'm a wimp when it comes to riding when it's cold. I won't have to use it much, since it's not cold here for long, but a sweaty, forgettable hour on the trainer beats shivering.

I bought a fluid trainer last winter. It is, as many have pointed out, mind numbingly boring. I either listen to music/audio book or watch television.

I did almost 2 hours while watching a basketball game this afternoon. Now if the snow and ice from last weekend would melt I could get back outside. I missed my first week of commuting for the first time since last February.

I have owned and ridden Blackburn, Cycleops Fluid 2 and Kurt Kinetic trainers and also have Kreitler rollers. As AJet states above, rollers and trainers both have merits. If I could only have one, it would be a trainer and would be a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. It is the smoothest and quietest in my opinion.

Most important, is to find the motivation to push yourself whether that be through Spinnerval CD's, Sufferfest videos or Cardio Coach MP3's. Some get inspired by music but watching Archie Bunker reruns will get you 10 minutes exercise spread over 30 minutes.

I recently purchased a program ($50) caller TrainerMic that allows training interval and online race competions on you laptop. Lots of fun and comes with a pick-up, magnet and cable.

Given you hate hauling things around with you, I'd buy the cheapest trainer I could find and leave it behind when I had to move on. The cost would be a whole lot less than a spinning class or membership in most health clubs and you could leave it with someone who doesn't already have one.

My experience is that there is a big difference in the quality of trainers. Yet, despite riding very good trainers and very cheap ones, I end up hating them all. So, getting a cheap one and thinking of it as a short term use object or throw-away (although recycling it to a new owner would be better) would be my route.

Given you hate hauling things around with you, I'd buy the cheapest trainer I could find and leave it behind when I had to move on. The cost would be a whole lot less than a spinning class or membership in most health clubs and you could leave it with someone who doesn't already have one.

My experience is that there is a big difference in the quality of trainers. Yet, despite riding very good trainers and very cheap ones, I end up hating them all. So, getting a cheap one and thinking of it as a short term use object or throw-away (although recycling it to a new owner would be better) would be my route.

Can't argue with this approach, if that's what teh OP wants. I've had both the Cycleops and the Kurt, and the Kurt is quieter and smoother. I sold my Cycleops. The Kurt is quiet enough to watch TV.