Minoura Trainers- Good deal or just plain cheap?
08-27-05, 10:44 PM
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Minoura Trainers- Good deal or just plain cheap?
I've been reading up on trainers and it seems like everyone loves 1up, Kurt Kinetic (Bob Roll approved), and CycleOps.
I've been looking around on eBay and I see a lot of Minoura trainers comfortably under $200. What's the deal? Are magnetic trainers really that much worse than fluid trainers? If so, what is worse about them? More noise, less resistance, bad "road feel," durability, or what?
It's been said that there are good/bad fluid trainers and good/bad magnetic trainers. Just for comparison, who makes the best magnetic trainer?
I'd definitely be willing to sacrifice some "road feel" and smoothness for $100 or more. Even the best trainer is still a boring old trainer, right? On the other hand, I don't want to save $100 now and have to drop $300 on a better trainer 2 years down the road.
Anyone have any experience with Minuora trainers?
I've been looking around on eBay and I see a lot of Minoura trainers comfortably under $200. What's the deal? Are magnetic trainers really that much worse than fluid trainers? If so, what is worse about them? More noise, less resistance, bad "road feel," durability, or what?
It's been said that there are good/bad fluid trainers and good/bad magnetic trainers. Just for comparison, who makes the best magnetic trainer?
I'd definitely be willing to sacrifice some "road feel" and smoothness for $100 or more. Even the best trainer is still a boring old trainer, right? On the other hand, I don't want to save $100 now and have to drop $300 on a better trainer 2 years down the road.
Anyone have any experience with Minuora trainers?
08-27-05, 11:01 PM
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FWIW- I have a Blackburn Fluid trainer that I picked up at my LBS for about $110. So quiet I can ride in the living room while my wife is watching t.v.
08-27-05, 11:15 PM
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I got the 1up trainer and like it so far. Well built and adjustable in height so you dont need a block in the front... but for the cost ($300), you could get a nice fluid trainer, a block and still have money left over.
https://www.bicyclebuys.com/Items01.asp?NavID=main - cycleops fluid 2 $230 shipped. they also have a "elite fluid trainer" for $180 shipped.
That said... I like my trainer just fine, havent had any problems with it at all, but if I had to do it again, I'd probably just get a cheaper one. The trainer is quiet but my bike is noisy. I accomplished nothing by spending more.
Oh, the trainer folds up pretty well. I dont know if all of them do or not but this one can get stowed under your bed if you're short on space. Mine never goes anywhere since I just leave my bike in it.
https://www.bicyclebuys.com/Items01.asp?NavID=main - cycleops fluid 2 $230 shipped. they also have a "elite fluid trainer" for $180 shipped.
That said... I like my trainer just fine, havent had any problems with it at all, but if I had to do it again, I'd probably just get a cheaper one. The trainer is quiet but my bike is noisy. I accomplished nothing by spending more.
Oh, the trainer folds up pretty well. I dont know if all of them do or not but this one can get stowed under your bed if you're short on space. Mine never goes anywhere since I just leave my bike in it.
08-28-05, 07:09 AM
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Alright, I'll be more specific.
I'm looking at the Minoura Mag 850, preferably with remote. I can get it at Pricepoint or eBay for $120, and the shipping is actually cheaper on eBay (strange, huh?). Here it is: https://cgi.ebay.com/MINOURA-MAG850-R...QQcmdZViewItem
If I'm patient I can probably score one under $100. So what gives? It doesn't look as cheap as something like this https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BICYCLE-TRAI...QQcmdZViewItem
How would it compare to one of the three I mentioned above, say the CycleOps Fluid 2? I'm most concerned about getting plenty of resistance. I don't care as much about feel, storage, name, or even noise.
I'm looking at the Minoura Mag 850, preferably with remote. I can get it at Pricepoint or eBay for $120, and the shipping is actually cheaper on eBay (strange, huh?). Here it is: https://cgi.ebay.com/MINOURA-MAG850-R...QQcmdZViewItem
If I'm patient I can probably score one under $100. So what gives? It doesn't look as cheap as something like this https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BICYCLE-TRAI...QQcmdZViewItem
How would it compare to one of the three I mentioned above, say the CycleOps Fluid 2? I'm most concerned about getting plenty of resistance. I don't care as much about feel, storage, name, or even noise.
08-28-05, 07:16 AM
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I had a Minoura Mag Turbo and hated it. VERY VERY noisy. I got a CycleOps Magnito for $185 at my LBS...they had run out of the Fluid2 so I gave it a shot. Pretty good for what I need.
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08-29-05, 12:23 PM
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Hey, the CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer is on sale at Performance right now online.
$220... there's a 20% coupon out there... and team performance points.
there might also be a valid $.99 shipping coupon too. dont know if its still good or not though.
If i didnt already have a trainer, I'd get this one. It's the best overall price I've seen on them so far.
$220... there's a 20% coupon out there... and team performance points.
there might also be a valid $.99 shipping coupon too. dont know if its still good or not though.
If i didnt already have a trainer, I'd get this one. It's the best overall price I've seen on them so far.
