What Trainer to buy?
 

Hi, Up here in Massachusetts it's getting kind of cold and icy and snowy, and I've been off the bike for a while. I'm looking to buy a trainer so that I can get some indoor rides and keep up a high level of fitness. I used to commute 40 miles per day, but I got a new job, working from home, so the commute has gone down to 0. And I just don't like riding when it's below freezing. I've got all the gear for winter rides, but I'd like to try a trainer.

So which models, let's say under $200 would work well for a guy 6'1" and 180? Or, more simple, is a trainer under $200 going to be acceptable?

I found the following model at Performance for $150 on sale from 229 or so. (click here ). My buddy has a Kurt Kinetic which is around $270. I'd like to say that I'd use it around 3x per week, doing roughly 20 miles per "ride", or approx 1 hour, for a few months during the winter.

I'm sure that this has been asked a million times....but...(oh and yes I did try to search) sorry I just had to ask. click here

We have Blackburn wind trainers. Although they make wind noise, they are realistic in road feel and are very simple with only beaings at each end. Ebay items for under 40 dollars, but watch the shipping price as they weigh lots.

I would't go too cheap on the trainer. Just picked up a Cycle Ops Fluid 2 and love it. I got the 06 model for $250 online. Nice trainer, quiet and it'll last you forever.

Who'd you buy from?

I have the 1-up usa trainer (1upusa.com) and I have been very happy with it. It's not terribly cheap ($299 with free shipping and no tax if you live outside Wisconsin). It's the only trainer I've ever owned, but it's very quiet and it has a good variable resistance curve.

cyclops fluid 2.
rock solid so far. (2nd winter on it)
quiet.

this is the fluid trainer on sale at performance. The travel trac century fluid plus trainer. anybody know if this is any good?


http://www.performancebike.com/produ...00/40_2318.jpg

I'm stuck in the snow too. I'm about to buy a Kurt Kinetic for $275.00 free shipping. I normally ride 20 miles per day on hilly terrain along the Ohio River. Will this trainer serve me well or will I be disappointed?

Fast advice:
buy a fluid, make sure it has a flywheel of at least 3lbs, avoid Cyclops (high fail rate). Magnetic is quieter. Kurt Kinetic is excellent, Minoura fluid is very nice. 1UP is very good.

I 2nd the CycleOps Fluid2...great road feel and quiet!

Fluid 2 $227 delivered from www.agees.com

As far as "high failure rates" I haven't heard that for a long time - I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

I am now using CyclOps fluid 2. It's been working great. If you can afford a few extra bucks then get a Kurt Kinetics fluid. I think the Kurt is the best all around fluid trainer. It's built a little better than the rest.

I've got a Tacx Swing, and it's worth a look with its variable resistance settings. put that sucker all the way up and you'd swear you're riding up a 20% grade.

I'm very happy with my CyclOps Fluid 2. No problems with it and it whips my butt.

The reason I paid the extra for the 1Up is lifetime warranty including all shipping costs necessary for service. Great road feel. Quiet.

Cycle Ops Fluid 2 without a doubt. I bought one this year. My first trainer. It's Quiet and really does feel like you are on the road. I rode 5 other trainers while at the bike shop. This one has the best feel to it.

I got a Cycleops Magneto for about $200. Really nice. Pretty quiet and good resistence.

I also have a Cyclops Magnito which I got on closeout last season for $185. Works pretty good...nice and quiet and ok resistance. I was actually thinking of getting a Fluid^2 this year as my wife was talking about wanting to get on the trainer too.

My brother and I both got the Performane Travel Trac Century a few years ago. Very quiet, very dependable. I wouldn't bother with the progressive resistance model--just shift up. DO get a block--for $6, it is worth it.

What are the differences between a trainer and a roller and which one should a newbie get first? I'm not a big fan of my wife's elliptical trainer and the bikes at the gym are always taken by slugs that keep maybe a 60rpm cadence while they watch tv.

so i just ended up picking up the same trainer as my neighbor, the kurt kinetic. i found it online with two included DVDs and free shippnig. cool.

hubby and i both have a cycle ops fluid 2

I like my cycleops.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

http://www.performancebike.com/produ...00/40_0722.jpg

I have a Cateye Cyclosimulator which comes with a fan for wind resistance and a magnetic drag disk for hill simulation. It computes wattage and while it may not be as accurate as a PowerTap SL, it was available 10 years ago when the resistance unit on my Sears stationary wore out.
I use it for 'off road' (when I cannot get out)training summer and winter
The magnetic portion for hill climbs as it has % slope on the LCD display.
Typical power 330 watts for 5% grade at 12 mph.
575 watts for 32mph sprint for 30 secs
and for me 225 watts for level3
Yikes the price has gone up 100 bucks sice I bought it 8 years ago !

My votes are Cyclops or Kurt Kinetic; can't go wrong with either. I've had others and switching made a huge difference.

I've not had luck with mag trainers because they lack sufficient resistance when you want to stand up and hammer, and do not accurately reflect road resistance. Don't waste your money on a mag trainer.