magnetic or fluid?
 

I know there have been numerous threads on trainers, but I can't find the discussion that will answer my questions... So here it goes...

The recent drop in temperature here in Miss has been oh so welcome, but it has made me think about the coldness of winter (humid cold is just nasty when your winters are around 30F-40F and it rains pretty much for the month of January). So my choice is suck it up and wear lots of warm expensive clothing or buy a stationary trainer. I'm thinking I want to buy a stationary trainer. But I need one that will be relatively quiet - riding in the garage in the middle of winter does not sound pleasant.

Which do you prefer - a fluid or magnetic trainer? And - which models are the best that won't break the bank?

First off, where do you live in MS?

I was wondering the same. I need to know what to put on my Christmas list :p

I think generally the fluid trainers are of higher quality and are quieter. I prefer rollers above trainers though.

- been very happy w/my cycleops fluid 2 (Trek branded) trainer... nice and quiet, can listen to radio or watch TV while riding... bonus is that the wife unit doesn't complain about the noise, even while sitting in same room watching the tube!

:-)

Neither fluid nor mag. Check out the 1Up. A bit pricey at $300, but includes shipping, lifetime warranty and great customer service. The shipping is even paid for on warranty repair shipments. Incredibly small, quiet, powerful, smooth. Very realistic resistance as you shift through the gears.

MSCycler,

I live in Cleveland.

Funny...the wife will be in Cleveland tomorrow and Thursday with work. We live in Madison, MS. I have a Cycleops Fluid 2, and love it. I have not used it all that much...I just bought some arm and leg warmers the other day, so I hope to extend the outside riding before I go inside...

I cant comment on the magnetic, but the fluid is good...quiet, portable (although it heats up pretty good) fold nearly flat for easy storage, a bit pricey, but I got mine from Ebay (new in the box) for cheaper than the LBS.

On another note, you should come down and ride the trace some. I live about 4 miles from the trace and usually ride it quite often. Matter of fact, I am riding a century on the trace next weekend (Clinton--south for 50 miles and turning around and coming back). I am also riding a metric century this weekend, with about 10 miles of it being on the trace.

mscycler

I'm going to try to take some time in the Spring for a ride on the Trace. My husband and I have been wanting to get down there - life should settle down enough by spring. If your wife needs to know some good places for lunch, let me know. Cleveland has good lunch eats!

Sounds like fluid is the way to go. I'm intrigued by the 1UP as well. More investigating to do...

I just bought the 1up trainer, and I like it a lot. It's $299 with free UPS shipping, and as long as you don't live in Wisconsin, there's no tax either. It has an extensive resistance curve, so it's good for just about any workout.