aggarcia

With all the cold and/or wet weather we have been having lately in Houston. Any thoughts about bike trainers. I just bought one, used it last night and I am not sure if I should keep it or return it. The lat thing I need is expensive equipment that I do not use. Any thoughts good or bad about a trainer?

big_heineken

I bought one for $5 at a thrift store. I like the idea of it, but riding inside is just too boring for me. My gf, however, doesn't mind riding inside, and she uses it regularly.

StephenH

People up north seem to swear by them, I don't care for the idea- much rather be moving when I'm pedaling.

adamrice 

Mine was indispensable when recovering from injuries that prevented me from actually riding on the road. I had a Cateye--no longer manufactured, but highly regarded. Eventually wound up getting rid of it.

Agree that it's boring. I would set it up in front of the TV and watch an old movie or something, but could rarely bear to stay on it for even one hour.

a77impala

I live in South Dakota and ride outside if the temp is above 30 degrees and the wind isn't more than 15 or 20 mph. I do not ride
if it is raining.
I do have a trainer, rode outside all but three days in Nov, inside every day this month, temps in single digits for highs.
I am going to be in Austin late Jan and Feb and looking forward to warm weather riding.

aikigreg

kurt kinetic or nothing.

scattered73

what about rollers?

ridethepanther

My mother-in-law gave me a trainer for Christmas this year and after using it for the first time last night, I had the same thoughts as the OP. Especially considering that I could use the money to buy some good cold weather gear and just ride outside.

I also realized that I get out of the saddle a lot and make compensations for my less-than-ideal bike fit when I'm riding on the road. On the trainer, I was having numbness issues after 20 minutes and struggling with having to over-reach after 40. Maybe instead of extra cold-weather gear, I can get a shorter stem and better saddle....

dewaday

Being one of those northerners, I'd go nuts without a trainer. When there's 2 feet of snow on the ground, 6" of frozen gray slush along the road edge, and a thin crust of rock salt everywhere, I loves me trainer. The secret is to use it for training and not for just riding, I actually work harder and more focused in the winter then any other time. Do intervals, do speed cadence work, do one legged drills, do 20 minutes at threshold and repeat. If that don't work, put on a movie like Gladiator and pedal along with the narrative, you'd be surprised at how hard you'll push. Or, just live in a southern clime and complain about the 5 days a year you can't ride . Me, I love the hate.

clarkgriswold

I live in an area where there is no safe bicycle riding without at least a 10 minute drive, and I usually run routes that take over 20 minutes to get there by car.

I can jump on the trainer for 30 minutes on a day I don't feel like getting out in the elements, however it's not a substitute for real riding, and I can't ride more than a 60 minute session without going bonkers.

I did pick up some 'cold' weather gear and plan on HTFU'ing more often.