Basic trainers?
 

Kind of unchartered waters when it comes to bicycle trainers, so I'd like to pick BFs brains for best bang for buck to a bicycle trainer that is proven from experience to be durable & simple with basic functionality to be used on the rear of a trek hybrid bicycle.

I often read the term "trainer" & "rollers" be tossed around. I'm assuming they are both of the same terms? Or does "rollers" =13pxstrictly mean to be used with an existing wheel affixed to the bicycle? I would prefer to mount the bicycle as a whole in/onto the *trainer* & set the tension as needed, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't consider dismounting the wheel, just keep in mind that I will require the shifting of gears to "simulate" as much outdoor feel as possible to not become bored when using it during the unfortunate indoor cycling days.
I dont use apps so Zwift & Kickr etc etc is not a want as all the gadgets & meters are already equipped on the bicycle.
Just a simple & basic setup.

Was looking at these as options:

https://www.ebay.com/p/8023053737?ii...BoCvE8QAvD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kinetic-T-2...kAAOSwOK1eQf3k

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CycleOps-Fl...8AAOSwooxeuB6x

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Elite-Qubo-...temCondition=3

I’ve been using my Wahoo Kickr Snap for about 6 months now. I have just over 2,100 miles on it, all on Zwift. Not a single problem. I will say that doing spin down tests to keep the power numbers accurate would be a huge pain. I use my power meter as a source instead so I don’t have to do spin down testing.

Just noticed you wrote basic trainer. The Kickr Snap is a smart trainer. I’ve heard good things about the Kinetic model you linked. But no experience with it.

I have the Kinetic Road Machine that the OP has on one of the ebay links. The ebay ad doesn't mention if it comes with the InRide sensor. This costs about $40 if you purchase it extra.

My Kinetic RM is a solid workhorse trainer. I bought it last summer used and broken off Craigs List for $50. Fixed it and obtained the InRide. Since starting to use it in mid November I have put over 3000 virtual miles on it. If you have the InRide, there is a free app for your phone that work well giving you some training and exercises. In addition to the trainer and the InRide sensor I have added a special trainer tire that is quieter and longer lasting than a regular bike tire, I've added a front wheel riser and I bought a quick release for the rear tire that is made for the road machine. I have added a separate cadence sensor and use a heart rate monitor. I also use zwift, so I have it hooked up to my laptop and a flat screen tv and I also use my phone. You will need regardless a fan or two because riding one these things indoors will really make you sweat. With this set up as I describe you will get a fairly accurate reading our your wattage output.

So my opinions: For a wheel-on-trainer don't settle for anything less. Kenetic RMs are built like a tank and will last and last. There are maybe one or two other makes that are just as good everything else will not hold up to the abuse assuming that the user spends hours a week not minutes a year on the trainer. Some will be offended but there it is. For a budget or if not sure you want to go whole hog the Kinetic RM is a good choice. I say this in all sincerity but the day is coming when I will put a smart trainer in my family room, probably a Wahoo.

I would not write off a service such as zwift. There are umteen social rides, races, tours, training programs-on and on. It makes a tedious activity fun and entertaining. As mentioned 3000 miles on my Kinetic RM and Zwift over the winter and my riding buddies can no longer keep up with me, whereas i used to get smoked.

These are rollers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08436T2HW...osi&th=1&psc=1 - the training comes in with going like hell, because you'll fall over if you stop, and in learning to be smooth, because if you're not smooth, you could fall over. A trainer usually has a mechanism to adjust resistance, and a way of holding the bike up for those of us who have too much difficulty with rollers.

thanks for the post thomas. I dont think I'd have use for the sensor since I could just link the wahoo computer up to an app like strava if I wanted to entertain others with my poor rides. lol

rolling off rollers would have others ROFL for sure.

Kinetic Road Machine

Jump on facebook marketplace and craiglist. People buy these things and use them for one winter and discover how much riding on them sucks. Then they put them in a closet never to see the light of day again till they give up and sell them. Or they figure out how useful they are to keep your fitness during the winter but still suck to ride and buy a smart trainer and get rid of their basic trainer.
<-------Has a fluid trainer sitting in the closet taking up space after buying a smart trainer.

You want a fluid trainer.

Cycleops are great for the money for a basic trainer. The entry and mid range models are nothing fancy but they work.

I use sensors for speed, cadence and heart rate while using mine. Mostly I use the trainer for light effort recovery rides while watching TV, usually for 1-2 hours, watching my heart rate to be sure it's staying in Zone 1 or 2 at most. Occasionally I'll do interval sessions for 15-30 minutes, but mostly I do my workout rides outdoors when the weather cooperates. But I'm not good at doing light recovery rides outdoors, so the trainer is good for that. I tend to turn every outdoor ride into a workout, which defeats the purpose if I'm doing consecutive workouts without a rest.

Ditto, Canker's suggestion. I see lots of trainers on craigslist and Facebook. People try 'em over winter (or during the pandemic), get bored, sell 'em. The only problem is they'll often sit it in the garage or a closet for years before they sell 'em. The trainers will be fine, but dusty.

But I wouldn't expect to see any nearly new trainers bought in March during the pandemic shutdown for sale soon, although folks who've been out of work for awhile might be desperate.

I've got both, trainers and rollers.
I love my rollers far far more.
With my trainers, I focus more on strength training. And I can prop up a laptop and watch/stream videos as I ride in place.
But with rollers, I have to focus on balance, cadence, and being smooth. About the only entertainment I can provide myself on rollers is music via earbuds. But riding on rollers does something more than what trainers can do, and that is smoothness on the road. After my first winter with rollers and back onto the roads, I can easily tell I spent less energy balancing myself and my cadence was higher and smoother. This has translated to at least 1/2mph faster and I feel less tired on longer runs.
It's hard to explain, but I feel rollers gives better results.

Pretty much not that serious & a trainer will be the way

friday1970 has a very good point. Depends on your goal. I use a Racermate II, which is so old I can't find an image of it via a duckduckgo search. (Google would probably find one for sale.) It allows me to keep some aerobic capacity going in the winter, and even a 20 minutes a week prepares me to keep pedaling (rather than pedal-coast-pedal-coast) when I first hit the road in the Spring. It also keeps my butt broken in, so I don't have to deal with that pain when the weather gets good. But I'll be happy with 1500 miles this year. The trainer does what I want done.

If I were doing bigger rides or racing, I'd want to get the riding skill that rollers help develop.

^This. ​​​​​I got a cobwebbed Kinetic Road Machine and climbing block for free off Craigslist from someone who recently bought a Peloton. Two years ago, I bought rollers and a pair of training tires off CL for $25. Prices are generally higher this year, but there are still bargains to be found from people decluttering or upgrading.

Had a kinetic road machine and replaced it with this (progressive resistance model). Very happy I did:

https://www.feedbacksports.com/produ...table-trainer/

folds up small, quick to setup. Works with thru-axle as well.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a48a8bebdd.jpg