Inexpensive Bike Trainer?
 

Looking for an inexpensive trainer just to build strength in my legs. I don't need any gauges/extras, just a basic trainer. Recommendations?

Thanks

What constitutes inexpensive to you?

There's a house full of them on Amazon starting at $39.95, which I consider cheap? I guess I could go double that, maybe a little more?

Consider local/used on CL. Lots of people buy one and hate it.

I will second the CL search, lots of people buy them and most don't keep them.

Any idea of what do look for & have you seen CL prices?

in my area when they do pop up usually more so in spring but a cyclops or Kurt magnetic version are $100 or less easily. The fluid trainers usually $150ish. They unusually go fast but they show up often.

I have a Kurt Smart and its fantastic, and is great with Zwift.

Dunno what Zwift is, but tell me about the Kurt Smart, please?

https://www.kurtkinetic.com/trainers

here is the website......

Shows all of their options. You will see these normally on CL

Way outa my price range.

I got one of those cheap Amazon trainers and found that it was a significant disappointment. Setup and everything were not bad but the resistance was terribly low and not adjustable. It wad impossible to get enough resistance to do intervals without spinning out in top gear.

I now have an older cycle ops given to me bu my uncle and it's a much more solid and reasonable machine.

Id suggest getting a name brand trainer used or new, and have something that works.

retail yes, on craigslist or like place much cheaper. Seriously you can get a really cheap trainer but you do get what you pay for.

What is your budget I guess??

I'd look for a used 1up USA trainer.. they're built beefy and very straightforward.

Buy a Cyclops new they are not all that bad. I had a wind trainer for years was fine. The mechanism in back went bad lifetime warranty. They sent me a new one, I sold my used for a about $90. Bought new Cyclops Fluid trainer almost silent and it works great. Worth every penny when below zero and i need a work out. Sometimes trainers used correctly can actually be better than on real road for some types of workouts.

Ditto, Cycleops. Solid basic trainer. They come up often used because most folks lose interest quickly. Or a tiny handful get really serious and want a full zoot smart trainer.

I've had a Cycleops for a year, from a friend who'd had it in his garage for years. Works great. Really helped last year when I was recovering from injuries and illness. By the time I was able to get back on the road I still had about 75% fitness. I still use it once or twice a week to loosen up the legs before a workout ride outdoors, or for short interval sessions.

I think I've seen this one before.

Thanks

Last fall I bought a new fluid trainer from Nashbar, on sale for $109.19 shipped. It has worked surprisingly well, absolutely no issues so far. With my power meter I was able to use Zwift & TrainerRoad. I used the trainer all winter until the outdoor riding became somewhat regular.

Thanks.

I have a 20 year old Nashbar fluid trainer that's rusty and noisy and the tightening knob fell off years ago so now I have to use a vise-grip, but I'll be damned if it still does what it does.

There's a siilarly priced trainer on Nashbar now?

I didn't say or suggest that. But...

It's currently $119.99 and "free shipping eligible." Again, it has worked famously, no issues. There's a magnetic for 15 bucks less. My reading led me to go with the fluid trainer.

https://www.nashbar.com/travel-trac-...-cmpfl/p915875

Buy a used Fluid trainer off Craigslist. Cycleops and Kurt Kinetic are probably your two best options. There should be plenty of relatively cheap ones ($100-$150) available as more people upgrade to direct drive trainers, like Wahoos.

I'll add that I had that Travel Trac trainer, and it does not compare to a CycleOps or KK.

If it were me, I would get basic rollers. It's within your budget and you would also have something that will improve your bike handling skills and balance. Yes it takes practice, but learning them is also fun...at least it was for me. Once you get the hang of it you will be off to the races. What's could be better than a "treadmill" for your bike? (other than smart rollers) which you do not need.

Thanks.You guys keep me from flying in the blind. :)

You said trainer but I got house brand rollers pretty cheap and they're more fun.