varian72

Since search does not work.......How do these work? It seems like there is no option to have a "course" like one of thhe programmable gym bikes.

What is the advantage to one of these besides price? How do you train on it other than switching gears and simply motoring or using a HRM?

will dehne

I am a satisfied user of CycleOps FL2. My goal was and is to train for fast cross country tours at 120 miles/day. This means 17 MPH average including some hills. (plus food stops)
The trainer simulates riding on a limestone trail very closely or alternately going up a moderately steep hill.
For instance: Going up from Sedona to Flagstaff is about the same effort as 6 hours on a trainer at that speed. I also use it for interval training, out of the saddle at speeds over 20 MPH.
The CycleOps is a good value IMO for $300 or less. I hear that the Kurt trainer has a watts meter which would be nice to have.
Instead I use a HRM, Cadence and of course speed and average speed.

cuffydog

You could get a Spinervals DVD that simulates the kind of riding you'll be doing, or one that works on specific skills or capacities, like hill climbing or endurance. It will tell you how fast (how much exertion) and which heart rate to be working at.