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Indoor trainer advice

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Indoor trainer advice

Old 10-14-14, 11:57 PM
  #51  
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I do 2 hrs on the trainer every other day with music only, and I'm picky about sound (having been a loudspeaker designer years ago).
These Monoprice 108323 are superb for under $40 and do an excellent job of sealing out the trainer noise without soaking up sweat.

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Old 10-15-14, 02:07 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by f4rrest
I do 2 hrs on the trainer every other day with music only, and I'm picky about sound (having been a loudspeaker designer years ago).
These Monoprice 108323 are superb for under $40 and do an excellent job of sealing out the trainer noise without soaking up sweat.

I just bought a pair on your recommendation - $28.72 Cdn on Amazon.ca
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Old 10-15-14, 02:16 AM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
LOL...the mat catches sweat, not vibrations. Somehow I have a feeling that won't work.

Maybe some foam over your carpet.

Suggest you try it with a warning to your downstairs neighbor first (at a decent hour) before doing it at 3 in the morning and getting a knock on your door.
This is what I was going by, a quote from the ad copy "It’s sound absorbing properties limit the noise produced by indoor trainers.". But I will definitely try it out in the daytime first. The problem is, after working the night shift for many years and sleeping during the day, I'm at my best around 3 in the morning. Thanks for the advice, guys.
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Old 10-15-14, 04:32 AM
  #54  
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Kickr is at the top of my list. My LBS has a Bkool event this evening complete with a rep from Bkool to go over the trainer and the software and answer questions.

Just like with saving weight on a bike, there are costs associated with riding in colder weather. I'm covered to just above freezing right now for my hour long commute into work. I've been pricing out the winter weight tights and soft shell jacket and for the price of a Kurt Kinetic Trainer, I could ride down to about 20F. I have two sets of heated motorcycle gear and studded tires for my motorcycle so I know what riding through a Maine winter is like. I'm not that interested in doing it on a bicycle. The salt will kill my components, the reduced lane sizes due to all the snow will put me closer to the cars that already drive too close, and the cold will really make me question my sanity. I'm fine with my Keiser m3 spin bike and/or another trainer (I also have a KK fluid Road Machine).
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Old 10-15-14, 04:44 AM
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Personally, I like the workout DVD's...I enjoy the Vision Quest (Robbie Ventura) series...also have the old Train Right series and Troy Jacobson's...did one of those this morning on my non-gym day.

Not much better than heading to the garage at 4am for a bike workout before work.
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Old 10-15-14, 05:59 AM
  #56  
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I'd think big, over the ear headphones like that would be unbearable; too hot and uncomfy. I haven't tried 'em, preferring in-ear headphones on principle, the in-canal type with the sound sealing soft tips (as opposed to the Apple type that just sit in the ear).
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Old 10-15-14, 12:33 PM
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I ride a kurt rock and roll trainer. It's not too bad, listen to some music and since I do the laundry at the same time the laundry machine makes more noise than the trainer. Usually when the load of clothes is done I don't want to stop and just keep going for another 10-15min so that gives a 2 one hour sessions on the weekends (our clothes and kids clothes)
As for tires I do find that my road tire is now really smooth but my old bike will be on the trainer for good now since I just picked up a new bike and when the tire goes I'll just pick up another cheap tire to put on the back.
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Old 10-15-14, 01:15 PM
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I recently broke down and bought KICKR and use it with TrainerRoad. Would highly recommend both. I know some people can't stand riding trainers, but I personally don't really mind it that much (local roads are not much more fun anyway) - plus I can finally do proper intervals.
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Old 10-15-14, 10:50 PM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by chaadster
I'd think big, over the ear headphones like that would be unbearable; too hot and uncomfy. I haven't tried 'em, preferring in-ear headphones on principle, the in-canal type with the sound sealing soft tips (as opposed to the Apple type that just sit in the ear).
I've invested in canal phones and they annoy me with motion noise transmitted through the wire and thin bass.

I don't notice when my ears sweat -- like when I wear shoes, my feet don't mind the sweat.
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Old 10-17-14, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bbattle
I got a nice Cycleops trainer but sold it after only a few rides. I only had one bike at the time and it was necessary to change the rear tire to a trainer tire before setting up the trainer. Otherwise, I'd wear out the road tire very quickly.
My fiancee has hundreds of hours on her trainer with her normal rear tire and it still looks new (Conti tires with wear dimples so I know it has plenty of life).
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Old 10-17-14, 01:16 PM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by Alias530
My fiancee has hundreds of hours on her trainer with her normal rear tire and it still looks new (Conti tires with wear dimples so I know it has plenty of life).

I was running a cheapie Forte (PB Brand) rear when I used my hybrid on the trainer and it had 1400 trainer miles on it (and 600 or so road miles) and it still looks brand new.

My CAAD10 has 190 trainer miles (and 270 road miles) and it's clearly all ready worn down the center of the Schwalbe Lugano on it. The front (which only has the aforementioned 270 road miles on it) looks brand new still.

So trainers can and will definitely wear out some tires faster than others.

Word to the wise, rather than spend $40-50 on a 'trainer' tire.... buy a cheapie from Performance Bike (I use their Strada-K Road tire)
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Old 10-22-14, 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by daveleau
Buying my first trainer, I didn't want to drop a bunch of cash on something I might not use. So, I figured I'd buy a good inexpensive model to try it out and see what I thought. I grabbed the one linked below, and I was ver pleasantly surprised. It gives me sufficient resustance and isn't as loud as I thought it'd be. If you want resistance, get a trainer. If you want to work on pedalling and balance, get rollers.

Amazon.com : Bike Lane Pro Trainer Bicycle Indoor Trainer Exercise Machine Ride All Year : Indoor Bicycle Cycling Trainer Exercise Stand : Sports & Outdoors
So I did end up getting this trainer and just used it for the first time tonight. All I can say is, WOW, it's A LOT different than the real thing! I've obviously taken for granted all of the coasting and stop/go that happens when riding outside. I only did 30 mins on the trainer, after initially thinking I could easily do 1 hr, and I was sweating absolute buckets! At any rate, the trainer itself seems be worth it for my purposes which as I said before is to just stay tuned up over the Winter.
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Old 10-22-14, 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Dryvlyne
So I did end up getting this trainer and just used it for the first time tonight. All I can say is, WOW, it's A LOT different than the real thing! I've obviously taken for granted all of the coasting and stop/go that happens when riding outside. I only did 30 mins on the trainer, after initially thinking I could easily do 1 hr, and I was sweating absolute buckets! At any rate, the trainer itself seems be worth it for my purposes which as I said before is to just stay tuned up over the Winter.
I'm glad it worked out. You can either change gears or use the dial to change resistance. I tend to use the trainer to do interval training.
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Old 11-29-14, 01:44 PM
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I've been riding the trainer 4-5x per week since I feel like I actually get a better workout in a shorter amount of time. I subscribed to the Sufferfest Channel on my Roku and just pick a video to do once a day before work. My favorites are the Time Trial video (The Long Scream) and the "Revolver" Intervals.
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Old 11-30-14, 10:54 AM
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If anyone is interested I have a Kurt Kinetic for sale. $100, I am in Barstow, CA. These are heavy so shipping is an issue. You can pick it up or I go to the Inland Empire fairly regularly so I could meet you somewhere. Comes with a Continental trainer tire and the riser for the front wheel.

I replaced it with a Star trac spinning bike. Also use the Sufferfest videos. They have a special for $10 a month you can stream all the videos. I'm not sure what platforms are supported, but I know Roku and I think Apple TV.

D'oh. Just saw post above!
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Old 11-30-14, 04:53 PM
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The high bar has been reset.....

Video: Basque ultracyclist rides 2,800km on rollers to set new Guinness World Record | road.cc
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Old 12-01-14, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Dryvlyne
Geez, I might have to rethink this. The CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer is $315 and the Kinetic Road Machine 2.0 is $349! Perhaps I should do spinning classes at the gym and invest in colder weather gear to continue riding outdoors. I don't mind the cold too much, after all I did ride this morning and the starting temp was 34 F. The big thing that concerns me though is that with the days getting shorter the earliest I can get home, changed, and on the bike on the road after work is like 5:45p which doesn't leave a lot of time to go very far. It won't be long of course and it'll be pretty much dark by the time I get home from work. I'm bummed because I didn't start seriously road biking until mid-July and now Winter is coming and it sucks
Are there any computrainer centers around you? I would do classes at a computrainer and each session was about 10 dollars, which was more bearable than spending the $300+ on a trainer. Plus you could use your own bike (unlike spin classes) to dial in or play with the fit, it was more fun than sitting on a trainer at home, and the other people there helped me get a better workout.
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Old 12-08-14, 02:06 PM
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I'm glad it worked out. My experience has been similar to yours. Quite different and more of a constant workout since you have to pedal constantly. Enjoy!
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Old 12-08-14, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by JuiceWillis
I've been riding the trainer 4-5x per week since I feel like I actually get a better workout in a shorter amount of time. I subscribed to the Sufferfest Channel on my Roku and just pick a video to do once a day before work. My favorites are the Time Trial video (The Long Scream) and the "Revolver" Intervals.
Did not know that existed. I'm not sure I want to spend $9.99/mo instead of buying the videos (I already have 3 of them), but it's nice to know this is an option.
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