Originally Posted by rms13

I've never owned a trainer and never wanted to own one but right now I'm not able to put in the time I want on the bike. But I usually have some time around 10pm where I could do an hour on a trainer so I am interested in getting one to supplement.

I have been researching but it's a huge rabbit hole. I want something simple and cheap. I have always heard that fluid is much better then mag trainer. I have seen some cheap fluid ones for about $120-150 online that have a lot of good reviews. But then I start reading more and more about smart trainers. I don't want to spend $1000 but $300-500 might be ok if it's a smarter investment then the cheaper ones. But I also don't have a viable computer or iOS device so anything I get would have to work with a mid range Android phone. Zwift is the popular virtual cycling app but it seems like that would require me spending a few hundred more on a computer on top of an expensive trainer so that is out. I think I'm fine zoning out on a trainer and listening to some music.

What I think I want is the most road like feel that's possible and something that lets me get out of the saddle and sprint without toppling over AND ability to broadcast speed/cadence/distance to an Android app on my phone and record that data along with heart rate from my chest strap. The Wahoo Kickr Snap seems like a good option but that's at the absolute top of my budget and truthfully more then I want to spend.

There is this:

https://www.performancebike.com/shop...rainer-40-5708

$230 and seems to meet the minimum of what I want. But it also seems like there are some cadence/speed sensors that I could buy separately and use with any trainer to get speed/cadence/distance data to my phone.