Do any of you use spinning cycles for your off season training? Ive been looking at the type that are more road bike related, like the Schwinns and such. What type do you have? What are things to look for on them? Im thinking about getting one for the winter, instead of tearing up my road bike on a trainer.

I've seen a lot of folks suggest spin classes as a good way to get/stay in shape. Make sure that a unit you purchase will accept your pedals and is pretty adjustable. You'll want to match your on the bike position as well as you can.

I often thought of getting one myself. Over the years, I've had cheap consumer stationary bikes which were crap......but of course, back then I didn't know any better. Today if I were to get one, I would definitely spend the bucks and get a commercial unit similar to ones found in spin classes. I just hope I don't start hanging clothes over the handlebars.....

Why not just get a fluid trainer and use your road bike? Much cheaper.

Teski

Nah... Our downstairs bedroom has been converted to a workout room so I was thinking to put something more 'permanent' where others can train on as well.

George!

How about picking up a used bike, and a trainer should actualy be less money and alot more versatile.

I am thinking about a spinning bike too - prices aren't that bad - $700 or $800. A good trainer is what - $200 or $300 plus the cost of a second bike? I took spinning classes last winter and actually enjoyed the spinning bikes.

I don't own one, but while waiting for a tune-up, I hopped into a yellow lemond stationary bike and it was immediately the most comfortable bike I've ever been on. It seemed highly adjustable, so mirroring your road bike probably won't be a problem. Also very quiet. Give it try.

Why would you have to get a second bike? just use the one you have and throw a cheap tire on the back?

Last Sunday, I got certified as an indoor cycling coach by the Schwinn Fitness Academy, so I spent most of the 9 hour day on one of their indoor cycles. It is a quiet, comfortable, and excellent machine. The club where I work ordered the pedal set up which has the clip on one side and the SPD cleat on the other. It also has a built-in LOOK pedal: You put your foot clip cage and twist out like a clipless pedal and the clip comes off revealing a LOOK set-up below. Pretty ingenious almost all-purpose pedal.

All those good things said, I don't think I would buy one for home use. The saddle height adjustment is made for quick change at the beginning of the class. It is easy for the height to be off a centimeter or more on a "good" adjustment. That's OK for a 45 minute class, but I think most of us go for longer on the home trainer. For that you need the precise height. Even using my 1970s 10-speed beater on my trainer, I still think that I have better resistance options than a club bike. I am going to see this winter, if I can really duplicate the class intervals, etc. on my home trainer.

Longrider, have you taken any indoor cycling (spinning) classes at a gym? If you haven't, you might want to in order to see how these machines are made for the class and if they will work for your home training. For me, even indoors, I want to do road training on a road bike. On the other hand, if noise is an issue a club type bike might be a good choice. Also, if an indoor cycle will keep you and your family training, then it might be the best thing.

Rich