Patriot

I have it from a pretty good source, that Santa thinks I've been a good boy recently, and might bring me a good trainer for Christmas, maybe a Cycleops Fluid-2. Just wondering how many hours a day these things can go, and how long do they last?

Also, I have Vittoria Rubino Pros on my bike, but was thinking of finding something with a bit more wear resistance for a trainer. What would you recommend for longevity?

Toxanadu

i find that the continental training tires last. i think i have the 2000 series now.

late

Hi,
Santa should do some research before Xmas, start with the old posts here. Just go to Walmart and get a cheap tire, or nashbar and whatever is on sale for $5-10. Trainers eat tires like crazy.

Patriot

I know they eat tires, but is there a tire that will last? I don't want to keep buying cheap walmart tires (they don't sell 700x23 anyway), if I can spend a little more, and get one that will last.

late

Nashbar has a Pasela on sale. But it won't last.
If you can fit one with inverted tread, that would last a while.

feltdude

Find the thickest training tires you can find. The fluid squared should last years and years.

53-11 alltheway

I had a Fluid 2.....it has a very stable frame. Unfortunately I sold it because it was boring as hell.

I did impress me as a top quality trainer though. If I bought another trainer I wouldn't hesitate to get the fluid 2. Don't waste your time with the quirky magnetic trainers or noisy wind trainers.

MacMan

I dunno about this. I rode my hutchinson carbon comps on the trainer all through last winter and then rode them for half of the summer before buying a new set. I put over 2200 miles on them with trainer miles and they are soft race tires.

geneman

I'm glad someone else said it. My trainer does not eat tires either. Is everyone cranking the trainer against the tire too much?

-mark

lotek 

I have a fluid squared, and it sure didn't eat my tires.
Just be sure the roller contacts the tire, and that you don't
have too mcch pressure and you'll be fine.
The Fluid2 should last years. . . even if you use it for 2 or 3 hours
a day 7 days a week.

Marty

Markedoc

Have used both Fluid 2 and Computrainer - neither eats tires, although it "looks" like it might wear them a little quicker. Just save your beat up road tires for the trainer ...

feltdude

I should clarify, my trainer tires are fine on the Fluid Squared.

My Vittoria Diamonte Pro Light's begin to melt after a few minutes. Seriously.

MacMan

I want your bike. Gimme

Patriot

I noticed that Performance Bike has some of their brand name trainers which have pretty much the same fluid setup as the Cycleops, but for the same price you can get the attachment for adjusting tension, and mph indication, etc. Are their trainers any good?
I told Santa to just go to our local Performance shop, talk to the rep, and spend a good $300 for something fairly decent, since Santa knows about as much about trainers as I do, which is almost nothing.
I am hoping Something good will end up under the tree.

Unless there is a specific Performance brand trainer y'all recommend?

late

https://www.kurtkinetic.com/bicycling_magazine.php

sidewinder

I've had a cheapo Supergo magnetic trainer for over two seasons. It is not "quirky" and it does not eat tires. In fact, my only complaint is that it is noisy, but for about $90, I'm not complaining too loudlly.

feltdude

I am not a Cycleops *****, but it's smooth, quiet and durable. If you're going to fork over money for a trainer, I don't see why you wouldn't get the best.

Fox Farm

I dunno. My personal trainer at the gym is 24 and he looks pretty fit...

Fox Farm

Seriously, buy the best and cry once as the old saying goes. Or, as one trainer manufacture says, and I am sort of paraphrasing, 'the pleasure of a good deal on a lesser product will soon be replaced by disspointment when it either breaks or wears out prematurly.' Al Krietler.

Fox Farm

Some one send me a dictionary...

F1_Fan

www.m-w.com

Red2000SS

I have to agree.. The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine is the finest fluid trainer out there. It will never leak and is very smooth.

Avalanche325

I have a 1upusa. It does not eat tires and has a lifetime warranty.

It is also a time machine. If I am thinking, "OK just 10 more minutes", and I look at the computer 10 minutes later, only 2 minutes have passed.

Trouble

The 1UpUSA is a mechanical resistence unit, you want a fluid resistence trainer.
The Cyclops Fluid 2 is NOT the best trainer out there. It may be one of the most popular, but that has everything to do with marketing and cost cutting. Think Toyota vs Nissan trucks.
After extensive and exhaustive research into the heart of all these trainers, IMHO you can't beat the engineering that has gone into the Kurt and you get your moneys worth. Not many, if any, unsatisfied Kurt owners out there.
I did not like the resistence curve on the Cyclops 2 and I hated the linear curve on the 1UpUSA.
No reason why, with proper care, it won't last for a very long time.
Contact the dudes; Erin and Carl at Kurt. They can explain all this crap much better. I pestered them for hours asking questions.

Rob944

I had an original Cycleops fluid trainer that lasted 8 years before it started leaking. It was still usable but I called the company to ask about a fix. There is new ownership now and they changed the design. They still took my old trainer and $100 and sent me a new Fluid 2. Cant beat a company like that. The new one is much quieter. I buy cheap tires to use on it.