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The trainer sucks

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Old 11-09-11 | 07:22 AM
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The trainer sucks

Just sayin'.

On the up side, Angel is on at 5 am.
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Old 11-09-11 | 07:47 AM
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I like it in some way I dont even understand, I don't even bother with "distractions" (music/tv) while on a trainer. Its still not bad enough outside to go on it though.
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Old 11-09-11 | 07:54 AM
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Yes, a trainer sucks.
Much like a treadmill, but your sweat drips instead of flies around.

I've had several, and just never liked sitting still on a real bike.

Last year, I decided to ride year-round, and was in better shape in the spring for it.

I've decided to look at used club-type spinning trainers; made for the purpose.

Last edited by RobbieTunes; 11-09-11 at 08:18 AM.
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Old 11-09-11 | 08:00 AM
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The entire concept kinda sucks
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Old 11-09-11 | 08:11 AM
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I use a trainer and accept it for what it is. It is nice to go down to the basement on shorts and a t-shirt when it is freezing outside. Plus I find I save a lot of the prep time I waste when I ride outside. No looking for the rights gloves, socks, scarf and making sure you have all the right tools.

Downside is, yes I am in my basement with nothing to really see but the cats litter box.
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Old 11-09-11 | 08:26 AM
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From: between Milwaukee and Sheboygan in Wisconsin

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Pics, or it didn't happen. And, no, I do _not_ want to see anyone here riding their trainer or rollers with sweat dripping all over the bike and floor, but it might be interesting to see how people have their trainer/roller set up. Some have book or magazine holders clipped to the handlebars, some have a TV, some a computer, and I can imagine a wireless keyboard velcro'd to the handlebars and browseing bikeforums while pedaling to nowhere. Other sections of the site have had similar threads, so make it C&V related somehow.

I picked up a rigid set of rollers off a curb recently that someone threw out, just needs cleaning and a new belt. It even has a fan resistance unit. I also got a set of folding rollers off the local CL a few weeks back, so I should be set to have one in the basement and the other out in the frozen garage, so no excuses for me this winter.

Show your setups, please, I need some ideas.
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Old 11-09-11 | 08:33 AM
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I've got mine patiently waiting under my daughter's crib. *Cringes as he looks outside as it's sleeting which is turning into snow* Good thing I have a nice collection of bicycling videos and movies now and have the tv in our room hooked up with the satellite.
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Old 11-09-11 | 09:12 AM
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I actually like the trainer. I make sure I have a fan, beverages and my phone nearby. A good movie helps to pass the time, but once I get into the habit of trainer time, I miss it if I don't do it.
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Old 11-09-11 | 09:18 AM
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my solution is to move to California.
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Old 11-09-11 | 09:23 AM
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But try and find some scrapple in the land of tofu.
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Old 11-09-11 | 09:24 AM
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Maybe the only good thing about a trainer is you can wear your ear buds and turn on the music...

My paranoia will not allow me to wear ear buds on a regular ride...
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Old 11-09-11 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by slowtostart
I actually like the trainer. I make sure I have a fan, beverages and my phone nearby.
I had a trainer, beverages, and try to avoid my phone. My fan kept yelling at me to "clean up that garage, eh!"
I gave my trainer to a 25-year old triathlete girl. For a while, that image kept me going.
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Old 11-09-11 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by KOBE
It is nice to go down to the basement on shorts and a t-shirt when it is freezing outside.
I have a sudden urge to track down a set of rollers.
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Old 11-09-11 | 10:04 AM
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I have a C&V (80's) Schwinn trainer. I can't fit a 130OLD bike in it, and I hate "wasting" a C&V bike on the trainer. Guess I'll rig up some throwaway SS for it.

But I really liked my night ride last night. It was in the 60's, cool but nice so no extra clothing required, - and like usual, I was OTB (along with a few others) on all the climbs . Unfortunately I doubt this warm weather will last much longer.
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Old 11-09-11 | 10:06 AM
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I've been trying to decide if the trainer goes in front of the TV or does it get a computer.. haven't made up my mind yet.
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Old 11-09-11 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by -holiday76
my solution is to move to California.
Sweet Jesus, man, don't spread it around.
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Old 11-09-11 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by KOBE
But try and find some scrapple in the land of tofu.
Says the guy who stares at cat**** while he rides.
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Old 11-09-11 | 10:27 AM
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The right half of the garage is my domain. The left is occupied her her car, gardening tools, and some outdoor items that have been brought inside for the winter, but the right side is all mine. I have a nice workbench, a rack along the wall to hold my bikes, a utility sink and a couple of repair stands, one of which is holding my current C&V project. There is also a Tacx VR trainer hooked up to an old PC that my work was going to recycle. Now I use it to ride through a virtual Dutch landscape 5 night a week. At least until the days get long again.
Sometimes it is kind of nice in there. I know what the weather will be like, the dog or a kid hang out to watch, and there are no cars, no flat tires, no running out of water. The conditions are very controlled. But by the Spring, I am more than ready for the randomness that only a 3 hour ride after work can bring.
So I appreciate the trainer. My mind wanders, I think about the races coming up in February, and I think about friends I have lost, and friends I still have who would be grateful just to be able to spin on a trainer.
For that reason, I love the trainer.
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Old 11-09-11 | 10:41 AM
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This year my plan is to ride outdoors if it's dry and indoors in an unheated porch when wet. The back porch should be cold enough to keep me from sweating so much.
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Old 11-09-11 | 11:40 AM
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Has C&V ever put together a team for Fat Cyclist's "100 Miles of Nowhere"?
https://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/03/24...es-of-nowhere/
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Old 11-09-11 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by iab
On the up side, Angel is on at 5 am.
Hey, my cousin was one that show! (Okay, I never watched it either.)
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Old 11-09-11 | 12:51 PM
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No way I could do 100 miles on a trainer. My mind wanders after 20 or so to jobs I should be doing around the house.
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Old 11-09-11 | 01:08 PM
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I can handle it for about 30-45 minutes every morning but after that, my ADD kicks in and I reach my boredom limit. Still, 45 minutes on a trainer is pretty decent exercise.

By the way, I have my vintage steely hooked up to it and it gives me a chance to put some milage on it.
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Old 11-09-11 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Ex Pres
I have a C&V (80's) Schwinn trainer. I can't fit a 130OLD bike in it, and I hate "wasting" a C&V bike on the trainer. Guess I'll rig up some throwaway SS for it.

But I really liked my night ride last night. It was in the 60's, cool but nice so no extra clothing required, - and like usual, I was OTB (along with a few others) on all the climbs . Unfortunately I doubt this warm weather will last much longer.
That's the perfect use for a crappy old gaspipe bike. Who cares how heavy it is, as long as it fits reasonably well and the back wheel is round. It's not like you have to push it up any hills and no one is gonna see you riding it.
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Old 11-09-11 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Velognome
The entire concept kinda sucks
You mean the concept of winter?
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