I've been doing the Spin classes at the local Y. Whether you go to a class or have a mag/fluid/whatever trainer at home, the important think to remember is you're getting out what you put in. We have Keisers at our Y and I like to add 2 to 5 more gears to whatever the instructor is saying. It is only a 40 minute class, so I try to make it as worthwhile as possible and go HARD. Maybe I've adapted to sweat more, but when I leave that class, I look like someone has hosed me down, and I'm the only one to look like that.

Dalameda, I think we have the same bike, but there isn't a central readout. One thing I have noticed is there is a variance in resitance levels on these bikes and the gym has to calibration them to get them all "equal".

It is much easier to gauge your effort in a group ride on the road. You're either leading, hanging or being dropped....