Being new to the concept of "Winter" (just moved back to New England from SoCal after 40 years), I've started considering the purchase of an indoor trainer for the upcoming winter. What style trainer do you use and why? Yes, I've seen the amusing "first time" roller vids on YouTube.... I would like to use my bike rather than a cycle machine trainer. Currently in an apartment so noise is of some concern, but not a deal buster.
Thanks

Welcome to 50+ and BF, first off, hope you like the gang here. Billydonn has a lot of trainer experience from the winter months, he does a regular group spin with some local guys on them in the dark and stormy cold times. I believe they all are on "turbo" trainers and not rollers. I am currently looking at a Trainer from Bike Nashbar, had rollers in the late 70's and enjoyed them a lot. Takes a few times to get used to the balance required but they can give you a work out. The turbo style are usually fluid or magnetic resistance types, not sure which is better so I will follow your thread with interest. Several members use them and will relpy here.

Bill

I have been using rollers the last couple winters (remnants from my riding days in the eighties).
The rollers help me for my pedal stroke but don't have much resistance.
They do take a higher level of concentration at all times.
Heading out today to purchase a mag trainer to supplement it.
One of the reason is also that i like to cross train for general fitness during the winter and go back and fort from treadmill to bike to free weights in 15 minute segments.
Have done hour plus sessions on the roller but get really bored.
Having the spare bike setup on the trainer , i will even be able to just hop on in regular sneakers for a five minutes easy cool down.
I may also pick up a used rear wheel and use some inexpensive tires for the trainer.
In regards to type of trainer (mag , fluid). The Cycle ops mag trainer was recommended to me by a former pro. This is the model he uses for group trainer sessions at his bike shop.

If you want quiet, then a fluid trainer like the Cyclops Fluid trainer is pretty quiet. I use a Preformance adjustable fluid trainer that is not as quiet as the Cyclops but at about 1/2 the price. If you will be using a multi geared bike the adjustable feature of the trainer is not really needed as you can change gears to make it harder or easier. The mag style trainers I've seen produce more nosie than the fluid trainers.

I also ride rollers and use the Preformance model that usually is on sale for $129 using which ever discount is available that day. Last winter I put skate board wheels on the trainer and utilize bungee cords to enable the trainer to move forwards and back. The movement allows me to be more aggressive on the rollers.

No matter what trainer type you use, a tire with traction bars will scream.

Here is a clip of the roller system in use that shows how it moves when I'm out of the saddle, and at the end, how the guide wheel on the front will keep the bike on the rollers.

https://i489.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/MVI_2805.mp4

There are several threads scattered around about trainers and rollers in apartments. For a trainer consider either a mag or fluid type, one with the resistence remote lever is nice. Rollers can run from cheap to more than a nice bike, some come with bike supports.

Set up a fan in the room to help with cooling, and drape a towel over the top tube to help catch the sweat.

Rollers versus trainers: the debate continues, there are advantages to both so if possible I'd say to get one of each and switch back and forth. Some rollers also come with a mag type resistence add-on which somewhat negates the need for a trainer.

I did a search on trainer vs rollers and came up with nine pages:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...+vs+rollers%27

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...read-read-this


https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...+vs+rollers%27

I've never had a trainer. Always used rollers just because the skill I felt I needed most (and IMO the best place to start) is spinning circles. I do go to the gym about 4xwk and use one of their video bikes which gives me resistance training.

I like how your dog stayed out of the way until you put a foot down. Our dog would be trying to put a ball on the moving bike to get me to play with him.

This may explain the dog:

https://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8195...ng-the-rollers

The kind I never use.

+1 Or, one that collects dust. I try to ride through most of the winter. However, if it's so bad I can't even ride with the studded Nokian A-10s, then I ride the cheapest trainer I could find. Right now that's the Travel Trac Comp Mag Trainer from Performance Bike.

Be a Fred and uber L337(that's uber leet or uber elite for non computer geeks)--get this =====> https://www.proform.com/webapp/wcs/st...2_29511_177903 Only costs $1300 + tax + S/H + maintenance plan(optional).

Image grabbed from https://www.girlgeekchic.com/wp-conte...rance-bike.jpg

Ahh, that would explain the dog.
The viglink redirector messed up getting to the video though so I had to work at getting there, sort of like using rollers but without the dog.

OMG! one of these in the back of a pickup truck with PopeMobile camper top..... The bride could drive me around! Great for parades too. Seen the ad on TV. Seriously?

I have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine that I bought July 2011 for my PT after knee surgery.
Not sure if I'll use it this winter or tough it out and ride outside on the cold days.

If you can afford the cost get a Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll. Looks like a fun ride.

https://www.kurtkinetic.com/kinetic-video-i-80-l-en.html

Kreitler rollers with the wind/fan resistance and the flywheel. Great machine!

I have the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll. The resistance machine works great, especially with the larger flywheel but you can put that on a Road Machine. The Rock and Roll is a gimic. The Road Machine would have been a better choice.

Thanks to all for your opinions - Going to try both, starting with CL used units, then upgrade from there after I form my own opinions.

Like most, I really don't like trainers, but they do have their place. I have had a couple. The best is my kurt that I have had for about the last 4 years, it has been very good for me.

I've got a Blackburn fluid trainer, and I'd stay away from that brand. It works, after a fashion, but not as well as I'd hoped. I'll probably get a Cyclops fluid trainer to replace it, once some money shakes loose from somewhere.

Trainer vs. rollers...depends what you want to accomplish. If you just want to keep spinning through the winter, rollers are a good bet. If you're doing targeted workouts, the trainer is probably a better idea. I'm in the latter situation; kinda tough to do climbing repeats on rollers!

Concerning noise...the trainer's the least of the equation. Most of the noise comes from turning up the TV so I can hear it over the noise of the box fan, which is going full blast to keep me reasonably cool.

Debating the merits of trainers is like discussing the different colonoscopy preps. The best still ain't that much fun.

Dang, you've got that right! At least I'm on the bike when on the trainer.

Just out of curiosity--those using the Kurt Kinetic, or perhaps other trainers, do you just use the skewer that is on the bike, or, at least in the case of the Kurt Kinetic, the skewer that comes with the trainer?

Also, since I'm thinking of one, what is the lower limit for storing/using the trainer? I would be using it in an unheated garage. The only reason for consideration is to be able to ride/exercise in bad weather and I may be getting carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand in January(means I can't ride the roads for a minimum of 3 weeks).

+2

+1

Use a cheap skewer. aka the one the comes with the trainer.

I use the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine trainer and am very happy with it. I find it easy to mount/dismount my bike in its supports, it supports the bike in a sturdy manner, it is relatively quiet, and it provides a smooth, realistic "ride". I bought my trainer as a Christmas present for myself in 2011, used it throughout last winter, and saw such an improvement in my cycling fitness that I continued to use it this past spring and summer, though not as frequently as during the winter. It has become an integral part of my physical fitness program.

Bikey Mikey: To answer your question--one uses the skewer which comes with the trainer. It is of a slightly stronger construction than the OEM skewer from the bike, and its end "hubs" are made to be gripped by the trainer supports.