Originally Posted by
Trakhak
Check Craigslist. People who have bought smart trainers often list their previous non-smart trainers for sale cheap. Here are
some listings in San Jose.
Basic magnetic or fluid resistance trainers are also available for not much more than a hundred dollars new from Amazon, Walmart, etc. Magnetic might be better, if only because there's no potential for fluid leaking out of the resistance unit.
Smart trainers have been dropping in price. Here's
one on sale at Amazon for under $250 that is compatible with Zwift, MyWhoosh, etc. Immersive smart trainer resistance software like Zwift, etc., makes using a trainer much more engaging. It's like POV video gaming, but with sweat.
If you don't already own a bike trainer, maybe set up the one you buy for your brother in your house so you can familiarize yourself with it before presenting it to your brother. Unless he lives far enough away for that to be impractical, in which case, consider sending links to videos that explain how to use whatever equipment you end up choosing for him.
I just checked Facebook Marketplace, just for Wahoo Kick'r products, and holy hell, there are a LOT of trainers for sale out there!
My experience with dumb trainers is that I would be mentally exhausted from trying to keep myself going long before my legs got tired. I'd suggest getting a Smart trainer - a cheap, used but working one - because it's possible he'll end up wanting one relatively soon and there's no sense buying twice. A Smart trainer can be used like a dumb trainer but the opposite is not true.