scvroadie

The long thread started to have a discussion about trainers over the weekend. Since I didn't have a chance to follow-up until now, I thought this would make a great thread. There are lots of trainers on the market and none of them are any good if you don't use them. But I think the two best units on the market are the 1UP and the Kurt Kinetic. Which trainer, if either, is better? Both are similarly priced, and have lifetime warranties. Below is a review that was posted earlier in Bike Forums. The review is very thorough.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/222654-kurt-kinetic-road-machine-vs-1up-trainer-review.html

I have the 1UP trainer, I had it a little over a year now. I also have most of the Carmichael and Spinerval DVD's. Those make a difference. I could not just get on the trainer and spin, I need some direction. That being said, I enjoy riding the trainer much more that spin class. The workout with the DVD's is great, interval training with proper recovery between intervals. My improvements in outdoor cycling are much more evident after using the trainer with the DVDs, than with the spin classes.

I miss the social aspect of spin class, but I don't miss the lousy music and lousy instructors. There are good instructors with good music, bu most spin instructors offer nothing more than an aerobics class on a bike. I bet if you took a poll, 75% of spin instructors don't own a bike, yet they are teaching a class utlizing a bike.

merider1

Thank you for starting this. I'm going to buy a trainer this year because I found myself forced to "gym" it on rainy days this past winter when I really wanted to be on my bike. I'm with you on the spin class, only the 24 hour super-sport at which I pay way too much money to be a member, we do have a couple of excellent spin instructors, both of whom do own bikes. But I've heard the contrary for other gyms from several cyclists, for sure!

Anyway, nice review and I'll keep this in mind when I start shopping for a good quality yet affordable trainer.

jsigone

I never really liked spin classes or their bikes, I don't like the weak resistance their bikes have compaired to a real trainer or the real road/dirt feel. Seemed more of a dance class on pedals then anything else.

merider1

Well, I think if you start with spinning at the gym before buying a road bike, it's a whole different experience. I certainly see the value in the classes, but having a trainer can only be an advantage, I'm sure.

jsigone

the prob I had with the spin classes were mainly the machines. The did not offer enough resistance at anthing over 100rpm. The resistance was all low cadence (40-60) stuff which was bad for my knees and the high cadence w/o resistance was bad for my knees. It got to the point where I can't even touch the bikes at the gym cuz it was pointless and painful somedays. Now I just go to the gym to swim.

I have a cheap Performance house brand trainer that I love using for warm ups to my races. It has great resistance and higher you spin, the harder it gets. So I can do hammer session or spin sessions w/o any knee problems. And gets me plenty pumped up for the race.

merider1

Forgive me for being dorky (my usual), but when you say Performance house brand, do you mean Performance sells their own type of trainer?? Seriously, I need to buy one, and I really do not want to pay over $200. You give your a nice endorsement - should I consider it? (and is it quiet or super noisy?)

roadfix

I've got an old Performance brand trainer too. I think Minoura used to make their's at one time.

socalrider

Fixer

I am pretty sure you are right, I have a performance trainer from a few years back and it looks exactly like the Minoura 850 Mag Trainer. Been working great for the last couple of years with no issues..

Don't forget to get a riser block with your trainer purchase..

merider1

Thank you! I probably would have forgotten and cursed all the way back to Performance in Pasadena.
But can you answer: is this brand noisy? I live in an upper apartment and am friends with my neighbor below. I'd like to keep it that way!

BigSean

Ill bring mine to Solvang and you can use it till I see you again, or I can sell it to you. Ill ride in the cold, just not the rain. I can usually get out and ride at some point. I have a hard time staying motivated for the trainer. Ill be going back to the gym this winter to try and get my back in shape. Its a Performance fluid trainer with tensioner.

socalrider

The Mag Trainers are pretty quiet compared to older styles of fan trainers which were very noisy.

merider1

That is so sweet of you, Injured (what is your real name, by the way, as it seems so odd to keep calling you Injured! ) I would love to give it a spin and would consider buying it from you.

herbm

Thanks for the great info...I am interested in a trainer also....I particularly found the info about using DVD's very good... I never thought of that...great idea and a good way to be motivated and get a good workout...

What about tracking cadence/rpms and distance...I have front mounted computers and I dont think they can do any hookups to rear wheel or crank for cadence, distance on trainer...do most trainers come with cadence and distance read outs?
thanks
h

jsigone

I used a treadmill mat from wally world to dampen the sounds from the trainer. I fold it into thirds so it's really dampening the sound to the ground. Works good too and very stable. Think it was $10 at wally world then performance for the same thing. I live upstair too.

You can stack phone books under the front wheel holder to help simulate the geometry from climbing.

BigSean

Sean

thomson

Have you considered riding in the rain?

shakeNbake

Hmm, I'm actually going to my first spin "class" tonight at Bally's. I need extra pedalling time. Do they use clips?

I'm clueless.

scvroadie

Most trainers don't. What I have done is set up an old '86 Centurion Ironman bike, that I updated with all the current gearing, shifters, etc. I've have set this bike up the same as my current road bike. This is now my beater bike and is set up on the trainer always ready to go. For a computer 1up sells a wired Cateye unit that gives you cadence, mph, time riding, & distance ridden from the rear wheel for $39. Its a wired unit, they also have a more expensive wireless unit, here is the link.

https://www.1upusa.com/computer.html

jsigone

most will have SPD clips, some people bring their pedals and wrench too to swap out their stuff.

nesdog

I purchased a trainer from Performance about a year ago for under $100. Simple type with 3 adjustments which we never touch because we pick up the resistance via gear shifts.

As we live in a house, and have outfitted a workout room with trainer, treadmill, TV, fan, etc. noise is not an issue.

We have quite a few Spinervals tapes/DVD's that my wife and I use. Love 'em. Get a great workout and come out of there sweating. The VHS tapes are half price ($15). We even have a treadmill workout from Coach Troy!

Rather than drag our bikes up the stairs, I placed my old 10 speed Peugeot in there as a permanent fixture. I added a Cateye 3 for cadence. Got to say I don't mind rainy days as much anymore!

Sheldon

merider1

Why yes, Jim, I rode 103 miles in the the Solvang rain, hail, sleet and lightening fest (okay, it only rained for about 40 miles of it and then cleared up but it sounds more impressive if I say 103 ). I also rode 75 miles in it (and a FULL 75) when I rode the tour of three harbors first century in Feb (I finally decided "screw it", only rode the 75 and then had beer and gumbo). Not to mention the countless times I've been caught in it. I think I've had enough and I want a trainer.

thomson

Oh, I know you are capable of riding in the rain, nothing will slow you down. I was just wondering if you enjoyed it. I guess you don't (I am pretty good at reading things )

ronjon10

Computrainer! You know, if you've got a spare $1500 under your pillows or something. I always wanted to try those.

ovoleg

I rode in the rain once...What a bastard of an experience because after I got home I had to clean the bike for 30+mins...

I use the trainer once a week or so...It gets pretty boring after 2minutes of being on the trainer though.

herbm

Thanks...I was looking on the performance site, and they had a couple of trainers that looked like they had builtin cadence/distance readouts...
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=21068
this might be better if the wife and I both want to use it....will have to continue the research!
thanks for all the great info
h