Marto32

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for an indoor trainer but I'm looking to stay under $150. I was wondering if any of you have experience with trainers at that range, and if so, what are some good brands?

I'm looking for:
-Very low noise level
-Easy to set up
-Reliable

I'm currently looking at this one: https://www.amazon.com/F2-MAG-Trainer...=38A8VBDJTEM4N

datlas 

Trainers suck.

Rollers rule.

And you can get a set for about 100 bucks!

Marto32

I think a roller will be a bit too big for my apartment. I did consider it though.

Marto32

Anyone?

jrobe

IMO spending money on a cheap trainer like that is a waste of money. I learned this lesson the hard way. Indoor training on a cheap trainer is miserable.

Save a little more money and buy a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and have it for the rest of your life (do a search here on this trainer). Here is a good place (with the 15% off coupon and free shipping). https://catalog.bicycleoutfittersindy...-kinetic-1253/

dpeters11

I would also recommend using a trainer skewer when using your bike on one, and a block/ring for the front wheel .

Marto32

How quiet are those? I have a very grouchy downstairs neighbor...

Tundra_Man 

I'll take it one step further. Indoor riding sucks. Winter riding rules.

I bought a set of rollers a couple years ago. After a few uses I decided it's like chewing gum for the mind. I don't watch much TV, so that doesn't appeal to me as a way to pass the time while riding indoors either. I finally just built up a winter bike and started riding year-round, only to discover it's a heck of a lot of fun.

As a bonus, winter riding whips me like no fair-weather workout ever has. The absolute toughest ride I've ever done was a 6 mile jaunt through 5 inches of fresh snow. I had to keep stopping every few minutes to let my heart rate come down from the stratosphere. Took me nearly a week to fully recover from a 1.5 hour ride where I averaged 4 mph.

I should just sell my rollers as all they do is take up space and gather dust.

banerjek

If you're looking for very low noise levels, fluid trainers are quieter than mag. All are easy to set up.

As far as which ones are good and can be had for under $150, YMMV with the cheap ones. I've been using a fluid trainer from performance for years, and it still works great.

gregf83 

I would recommend a KK trainer. You should be able to pick one up for under $150 on ebay. Try and buy one from someone living in a milder climate and chances are it will not have been heavily used. KK is a great trainer but it still doesn't compare to riding outdoors.

urbanknight

A folded up roller doesn't take up any more space than a trainer, but if you want a trainer, I have a Blackburn that's almost 20 years old and holding up fine. The resistance unit isn't very smooth, but it sure is reliable.

kh6idf

I have the ascent mag trainer from Performance (bought the cheapest trainer mainly for my wife to get used to clipless pedals, but she also made good use of it for training). It seems to work fine and the quality is better than I was expecting. Not sure about how much noise it would make downstairs, a fluid trainer might be better. But on a carpeted concrete floor it's not very noisy.

datlas 

I agree with you, assuming the roads are not icy.

However, you gotta admit riding rollers for an hour is not as bad as riding a trainer for an hour.

And the rollers are much better at enforcing good form, while a trainer reinforces bad habits.

Marto32

I'm not excluding winter riding but I need something for the weekdays when i don't have time to get out.

How long is the setup time of the roller vs a trainer? A roller honestly sounds like the better option but it seems large and heavy...

Caymem

PM sent.

wacomme

I have a 1 up trainer that I like quite a bit.

jrobe

I just typed in "trainer" in the search engine for thread titles and got at least 100 threads asking almost your exact same question. You would have enough reading for the next few days just from the threads this months. If you typed in "trainers, rollers" you would get another 100 threads comparing the pros and cons of each.

Tundra_Man 

Mine's aluminum. It weighs maybe 20 pounds. To use it you just set it in place, unfold it, make sure the band is in the groove on both rollers and get on the bike. Probably takes 2 minutes. Putting it away is just a matter of folding it up and sticking it in the corner. Mine leans up against the wall so it only takes about 2' X 1' of space.

darb85

kurt Kinetic Pro Road Machine. awesome!

duckracer

I have a Cyclops mag trainer with the remote resistence lever that works great and has not had any issues. Got it at my LBS for $149.00 with the remote.

theREEDeffect

My Cycleops fluid trainer is very smooth and fairly quiet. But trainers are boring as hell to use. And they don't feel like riding on the road, because if you stop pedaling for a moment, it feels like you've come to a complete stop.

urbanknight

Both are about the same. For rollers, you unfold it, put the belt in place, and put your bike on top. With a trainer, you unfold it, place your rear wheel in it, screw the holders on, and adjust the flywheel against the tire. Rollers don't wear down your tire like trainers do, and you get good work on form. Both are boring as hell, though. If it's just a matter of daylight, invest in some good lights and actually enjoy your ride.

Machka 

Nashbar Fluid Trainer ... I've had mine for years, and it's pretty good.

fogrider

am I reading the calendar wrong? I mean september in coming...even night riding is fun if you have nice roads with street lights.

if you're concerned with noise going through the floor, you might want to have a foam mat.

Machka 

Actually today is September 1 ... the first day of spring. But it is still quite cool and rainy so we'll be on trainers for another month yet. October should be a better month for weather.