Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

What Trainer to buy?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

What Trainer to buy?

Old 12-12-05, 10:37 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Monument Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 902

Bikes: Seven Cycles Odonata

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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
Monument Man is offline  
Old 12-12-05, 11:29 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,706
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
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.
Fred Smedley is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 10:27 AM
  #3  
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 46
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
jwarf is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 10:30 AM
  #4  
Jacko nose historian
 
theshoemaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Salt Lake City!
Posts: 671

Bikes: 2006 52cm Trek 2200, Specialized Rockhopper (gets infrequent use unfortunately)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by jwarf
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?
theshoemaker is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 10:32 AM
  #5  
Know Your Onion!
 
badkarma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 2,011

Bikes: Kestrel Talon, Motobecane Le Champion SL

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
badkarma is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 10:35 AM
  #6  
Bye Bye
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Gone gone gone
Posts: 3,677
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
cyclops fluid 2.
rock solid so far. (2nd winter on it)
quiet.
bmike is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 07:48 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Monument Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 902

Bikes: Seven Cycles Odonata

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
this is the fluid trainer on sale at performance. The travel trac century fluid plus trainer. anybody know if this is any good?


Monument Man is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 08:14 PM
  #8  
RiverCity
 
reneuend's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SouthEast Indiana
Posts: 423

Bikes: Trek Pro 5200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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?
reneuend is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 08:19 PM
  #9  
DocRay
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
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.
 
Old 12-13-05, 08:20 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I 2nd the CycleOps Fluid2...great road feel and quiet!
clayb is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 08:35 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Latitude 42○13'44" Longitude 71○41'42" Elevation 223 ft.
Posts: 925

Bikes: 2006 Merlin CR Works w/DA 10

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by theshoemaker
Who'd you buy from?
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.
Markedoc is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 08:37 PM
  #12  
Coastal NC
 
oneradtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,040

Bikes: 2004 Trek 5200 w/ Ultegra

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
oneradtec is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 08:49 PM
  #13  
Style-challenged
 
platypus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 918

Bikes: Colnago C-50 Extreme Power, Bianchi Pista, Somec single-speed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
platypus is offline  
Old 12-13-05, 10:41 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
bransom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: St. Louis area
Posts: 372
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm very happy with my CyclOps Fluid 2. No problems with it and it whips my butt.
bransom is offline  
Old 12-14-05, 07:28 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 156
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The reason I paid the extra for the 1Up is lifetime warranty including all shipping costs necessary for service. Great road feel. Quiet.
Shut up & ride is offline  
Old 12-14-05, 07:38 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
rcapilli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 57
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
rcapilli is offline  
Old 12-14-05, 08:03 AM
  #17  
Ant
Senior Member
 
Ant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 233

Bikes: Trek 1200 : Trek 3700

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I got a Cycleops Magneto for about $200. Really nice. Pretty quiet and good resistence.
Ant is offline  
Old 12-14-05, 08:09 AM
  #18  
He drop me
 
Grasschopper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Central PA
Posts: 11,664

Bikes: '03 Marin Mill Valley, '02 Eddy Merckx Corsa 0.1, '12 Giant Defy Advance, '20 Giant Revolt 1, '20 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1, some random 6KU fixie

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
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.
__________________
The views expressed by this poster do not reflect the views of BikeForums.net.
Grasschopper is offline  
Old 12-14-05, 09:03 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
eandmwilson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: All your base (miles) are belong to us
Posts: 606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
eandmwilson is offline  
Old 12-14-05, 09:14 AM
  #20  
.
 
bbattle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,760

Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times in 11 Posts
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.
__________________
bbattle is offline  
Old 12-15-05, 11:44 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Monument Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 902

Bikes: Seven Cycles Odonata

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
Monument Man is offline  
Old 12-15-05, 11:52 AM
  #22  
OMG! i'm a DURT gurl!!!!
 
caligurl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HOT, sunny socal desert
Posts: 4,939

Bikes: 2007 specialized stumpjumper FSR expert, 2006 specialized ruby pro, 2004 specialized dolce elite, 2005 specialized hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
hubby and i both have a cycle ops fluid 2
__________________
OCP and PROUD!
"OCP is not just about attitude, it's a way of life!"
life's too short to ride a crummy bike..........
caligurl is offline  
Old 12-15-05, 11:56 AM
  #23  
TCR
Riding Heavens Highway
 
TCR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sunny SoCal
Posts: 1,778

Bikes: '04 Giant TCR

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like my cycleops.

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

__________________
https://vvbc.us
TCR is offline  
Old 12-15-05, 12:14 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Stone Mtn
Posts: 178

Bikes: too many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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 !
ccdisce is offline  
Old 12-15-05, 12:31 PM
  #25  
MWW
Team October Lake Effect
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Posts: 169

Bikes: KHS Solo One (2003), Cannondale 29er (2007), Giant Iguana (2001), Cannondale SystemSix (2007, race set-up), Gitane Sprint (trainer), Cannondale CAAD 8 back-up, Cyclocross 2005 (105/Ult), Cannondale Ironman TT 2006

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
MWW is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.