So i'm considering a trainer. I'm looking for one compatible with my 700 CC road bike as well as my wife's 26 in bike. I've seen a trainer on Amazon for $50, i've seen expensive ones for $600. I'm not sure what the difference will be between those options. I don't even know what features I care about, I don't have a cycle computer on my current bike. The purpose of the trainer is for if I don't get out super early I can still get a ride in when I have all the kids with me at night. (also to encourage the wife to ride more.... that is really the motivator). I tend to lean more towards the $50 version but if there is a big quality difference and benefit I could talk myself into the $200 range.

Any suggestions or recommendations?

I spend alot of time on the trainer and would recommend one with a better resistance unit if you're planning on spending any time on one at all. I use a Kinetic Road Machine.

youtube "GCN Trainer"

should have all the info you need

i quite enjoy my "smart" trainer because it provides a level of interactivity to keep me interested. sitting and spinning against a fixed resistance, or fiddling with it manually, i imaine could be tedious.

Once you decide what you want, keep an eye on Craigslist. They pop up there.

I spend a lot of time of my rollers, and I recommend them over a dumb trainer any day. I have the cyclops rollers with resistance. I can tell that my balance and bike handling skills have improved.

Can't imagine anyone being motivated to ride more by a trainer, those things are miserable.

Trainer rides are better with a Campy drive train.

I have the Tacx Vortex Smart because I paired it with Zwift, and am happy with it. It does a good job of simulating elevation.

Darn right!

"Trainers


Because: Life"


pay me my ad campaign consultancy fee now.

My wife is funny, she can get motivated to run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike a lot easier than actually going outside. I think it's mostly the commitment factor, if she ends up far away she will be stuck but at home she's safe and can bonk.

Do rollers give resistance? I had never heard of them until about two weeks ago. The idea of rollers is very appealing to me but I don't know if my second half will be comfortable with them

Depends on your goals and budget. On the high end, you have electronic trainers over $1200+ and can get one as cheap as around $100 new.

I would spring for at least a decent fluid trainer. In the northern hemisphere, spring is coming, so you should be able to pick up a decent used fluid trainer on Craigslist for cheap. I'd look for a CycleOps or a Kurt Kinetic. Otherwise the $100 run of the mill Nashbar or Performance Bike fluid isn't too bad.

A smart trainer plus Zwift makes training indoors tolerable. I averaged 10 hours a week on the trainer this winter and am starting the season off stronger than I've ever been. Having a smart trainer hooked up to a permanent trainer bike in front of two displays with Zwift and surfing the web ala a special desk I made for the trainer makes indoor rides not bad. Honestly my best workouts are indoors - I can simulate any type of ride I want, including indefinitely long low cadence/high power mountain simulation. The biggest hill in my state is 3.4 miles, 837 ft at 5% average gradient. The smart trainer lets me simulate any mountain in the world, all from the convenience from my house.