Low cost trainer
#4
I got the basic fluid one from Performance bike.
lifetime warranty and i picked it up in store. So far, the gears on my bike give me enough resistance levels for good spinning, no out of saddle work though, but most can't do that.
lifetime warranty and i picked it up in store. So far, the gears on my bike give me enough resistance levels for good spinning, no out of saddle work though, but most can't do that.
#6
I bought one used on C.L. this year for $40 and another off Ebay a few years ago - no problems at all. You can find good deals in both places.
__________________
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1991 GT Karakoram, 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, 1989 Spectrum Titanium,
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1991 GT Karakoram, 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, 1989 Spectrum Titanium,
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 6
From: New England
Bikes: Trek 1.1
Got the trainer for Christmas and had it set up in 5 minutes. Seems like pretty nice quality for the price and just did my first session with as much satisfaction as can be derived from not actually going anywhere.
Last edited by Sculptor7; 12-30-09 at 09:57 AM.
#8
The best time in my area to buy trainers from CL is in the summer time. When winter rolls around the price seems to go up quite a bit.
Bike Island.com has a pretty reasonably priced trainer but I don't know how good it is.
Bike Island.com has a pretty reasonably priced trainer but I don't know how good it is.
#9
I had a cheap one from Performance, a Traveller, which I was not very happy with. It does not offer enough resistance to climb with, which is something I like to do. I have since found a reasonable deal on a Schwinn Spinner Elite and no longer use the trainer.
#10
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
I use nashbar's magnetic trainer with adjustable resistance.
I think it was $59 on sale. Works for me.
The Magnadyne was my all-time favorite, but boy, it rusted out fast.
I sold my rollers. I must have underpriced them, they were gone in hours on CL.
I'd like to get a good used spinner cycle, but so far, $300's about the norm.
For that, I can buy a bike.
I think it was $59 on sale. Works for me.
The Magnadyne was my all-time favorite, but boy, it rusted out fast.
I sold my rollers. I must have underpriced them, they were gone in hours on CL.
I'd like to get a good used spinner cycle, but so far, $300's about the norm.
For that, I can buy a bike.
#11
Not much experience with this trainer, but I would suggest to either get a trainer specific-tire (or a cheapo tire) to save the live of your rear tire if it is in good shape and expensive. Tires get worn on trainers worse than they do on the road.
#13
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 6
From: New England
Bikes: Trek 1.1
My trainer ($64 from Price Point) does not seem too loud and as I posted previously the quality seems really nice. No rough edges, nicely finished in paint and chrome, etc. The only thing I need is to know what level of effort I am expending vs what I use when actually on the road. Just using a guess from previous road experience. trying to err on the side of more effort. Also would like to get another computer for the rear wheel so I can see what speed I am maintaining.
#14
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
+1 Yep, I use some light blue CST's that would make me vomit otherwise. When my wife said "they're pretty," they went straight to the trainer pile.
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,116
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
A trainer is one of those things where it makes little sense to spend for more than the basic. I have a crappy old Nashbar trainer and it does everything it's supposed to do: support the bike and provide resistance.
Get the cheapest one you can.
Get the cheapest one you can.
#16
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 6
From: New England
Bikes: Trek 1.1
I doubt that the sweat I worked up yesterday on my $64 trainer is any less valuable than if I had spent much more on one.








