djm123

Winter and Fall in the Northeast., I dont know what to call it but is there ANY type of device I could use as I have my mountain bike INDOORS now...Point being I want to elevate my BACK Tire ONLY...

Is there anything to keep the back tire off the ground so I get the workout of this bike INDOORS???

roadiejorge 

If you don't want to brave the elements then get a trainer which will allow you to workout on your bike at home. Personally I like to ride in the winter and only resort to a trainer when the weather won't allow it which is only when there is significant snow or ice on the ground, otherwise the cold is no problem since I have the proper attire. It's challenging riding through the cold months and those challenges make it more interesting than being indoors; besides you can't replicate the fun of riding through bitter cold headwinds on a trainer. My suggestion is to HTFU and ride through it.

djm123

Where would I find them? Picture, cost?

The Human Car

Just to name one source: https://www.performancebike.com/webap...ndoor_Training

roadiejorge 

The internet is a great resource as there are a lot of different trainers, but your local bike shop will be able to help you with questions so you can get a good sense of what's out there and what fits your needs.

Chacal

you could also check CL for used trainers.

But yes, if you invest similar money in proper clothing you could ride through the winter.

djm123

WOW how do you all do it through cold weather..? The trainers are a decent amount of money, money I dont have at the moment, what is the difference in a cheap one vs expensive one? All I want it for is to elevate the back wheels?

Second, lets talk about conditions, I have my bike in the outermost sprokets in both front and bike, hardest to peddle...Certain days I am able to come up hills that way, others not...now are the factors on this the temperature, slight wind?

I have really enjoyed the biking based on where I live...Being an ex runner with achillies problem, this is a nice way to see things. I know you can get a good cardio workout fast...but then again, you coast allot at times! .P)

roadiejorge 

Getting over the psychological block of riding in the cold is the first step, then of course comes getting used to the colder temperatures but if you get the proper gear you will be nice and warm; keep in mind the harder you ride the more heat you will generate. The winter is a challenge but certainly not too discouraging so I always recommend giving it a go. Now that the temperatures are dropping you'll start getting used to it so by the time we're in the low 30s it won't seem so bad. I love riding through the winter, it's challenging (the northerly winds will keep you honest) and parks/MUPs are empty so you can hammer away.

Keeping it in the highest gear is fine but mix it up as well because developing a good spin is important if you're looking to ride longer and faster. Coasting is all well and good on casual rides but otherwise it's better to spin through your ride to get the most of your workout.

Now as for trainers the cheaper ones will generally be louder and not as smooth as the higher end varieties, also the higher end models offer more resistance options. If you live alone and just want to spin the wheel around then go for a cheaper model, but if you want something that flows smoothly and can give you varied resistance at your finger tips (some have controls to change the resistance level without having to get off your bike) then look into the higher end varieties.

noteon 

Significant snow and ice is where it starts getting fun!

roadiejorge 

You're a braver man than I because the few times I rode in the snow it was slow going and slippery not to mention dealing with those metal plates on NYC streets which were pretty slippery, and that was when I had a mountain bike! Nowadays I wait for the snow to be plowed and I'm good to go.

Jakedatc

Depends where you live too... in RI i was riding a couple times a week outside.. snow free. I kept the temps to 35 and up but was fine with tights, jacket, toe covers, hat, mittens. Jan was the only month we had a bunch of of snow so i only rode once.. also didn't get my tights till part way through either so those helped immensely

ckobran

- Indoor Trainer (buy used on ebay if you want to get cheaply)
- Spin Class
- Ride outside weather permitting

songfta

Winter is also a great time to address areas of your fitness that cycling neglects - i.e. cross train! Activities like XC skiing, alpine skiing, trail running, swimming, weight lifting, soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball - all of them help round out a person's fitness profile. Most of these are more high-impact sports, which addresses one of the key shortcomings of road cycling: its load and impact factor on the skeletal system is low, which can lead to low bone density and osteoporosis. It doesn't take much in the way of cross-training to help combat this, so why not?

And it's good to mix things up - keeps cycling fresh and new. My other big love in sport is alpine skiing, so I tend to adjust my workouts accordingly once September rolls around: more time in the gym and running (e.g. sprint and agility drills, some trail running) to help get me back into prime skiing shape. Cycling has already left me with a strong aerobic system and with good leg and core strength (the latter achieved through off-bike workouts), so I'm already a step ahead.

And, as others have said, riding in the winter can be a lot of fun, too. Here in DC, I ride in the snow (when it falls), as it's often a better way to commute than other methods (the folks down here have no concept of how to drive in any kind of precipitation, especially snow). Furthermore, the balance challenges help my bike handling, which is a big plus. Needless to say, I ride the mountain bike in the snow.

Good luck!

bravo106

A few options for an indoor trainer. You could get a slick tire for the rear wheel (assuming your mountain bike currently has knobby tires on it) and get either a fluid or magnetic trainer. Fluid resistance is usually better than magnetic, and they tend to be more quiet as well. You can look to the usual sources for a used one if you're trying to save some $$.

If you don't want to swap out rear tires, you could look at something like a Minoura Rim Drive trainer, that has the resistance roller(s) against the rim instead of the tire. This means knobby or slick, the tire doesn't matter.

Having owned fluids, mags, and rim drives, I'd suggest going the used route and buy a 10-ish buck slick tire.

noteon 

Fixed!

roadiejorge