Trainer Fans - 2023 Edition
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Richfield, WI
Posts: 765
Bikes: Trek Domane SL7 Disc, Cannondale F29
Liked 350 Times
in
203 Posts
Trainer Fans - 2023 Edition
It looks like there are finally some decent options for indoor trainer fans in 2023 with a remote control at somewhat reasonable prices. Up until now, I've been using a Tornado floor fan and I hate it because it doesn't have a remote which means it's never on a setting that suits my body temperature and I have to get off my bike to adjust it (FAIL!) Anyway, here's a few options I've found as I'm starting to ride indoors again now that it's getting cold and dark in the Midwest, USA. If you know of other options that have worked well for you and don't break-the-bank, post-up!
Vacmaster AM201R Portable Air Mover with Remote Control (Amazon $83.49)
Lasko Pro Performance High Velocity Utility Fan (Amazon $89.99)
Sharper Image FLY 01 High-Velocity Fitness Fan with Remote (Amazon $100.99)
JetBlack Trainer Fan (Zwift Store $149.00)
Wahoo Kickr Headwind Fan (Wahoo Store $299.00)
Vacmaster AM201R Portable Air Mover with Remote Control (Amazon $83.49)
Lasko Pro Performance High Velocity Utility Fan (Amazon $89.99)
Sharper Image FLY 01 High-Velocity Fitness Fan with Remote (Amazon $100.99)
JetBlack Trainer Fan (Zwift Store $149.00)
Wahoo Kickr Headwind Fan (Wahoo Store $299.00)
Last edited by PoorInRichfield; 11-03-23 at 06:13 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,398
Bikes: yes, i have one
Liked 1,227 Times
in
720 Posts
can't see spending more than a few dollars on a fan. they all blow air. garage sale is your friend. i'll stick with the one in this picture:
https://www.bikeforums.net/indoor-st...ng-setups.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/indoor-st...ng-setups.html
Likes For spelger:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,969
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Liked 3,365 Times
in
2,092 Posts
I have a couple of inexpensive fans sitting on makeshift pedestals in front and to the left and right of my bike, both with switches within arms reach.
I have to get out of the saddle to toggle the switches, but I don't have to dismount.
So I don't need anything fancy or a remote.
I have to get out of the saddle to toggle the switches, but I don't have to dismount.
So I don't need anything fancy or a remote.
Likes For MinnMan:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,398
Bikes: yes, i have one
Liked 1,227 Times
in
720 Posts
i didn't mean to be disparaging so hope you didn't take it that way. i do appreciate the heads up on teh fans.
i have a similar remote control like this for my fan (mine is about 50 years old):
https://www.amazon.com/Woods-Indoor-...aEALw_wcB&th=1
i have a similar remote control like this for my fan (mine is about 50 years old):
https://www.amazon.com/Woods-Indoor-...aEALw_wcB&th=1
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,969
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Liked 3,365 Times
in
2,092 Posts
i didn't mean to be disparaging so hope you didn't take it that way. i do appreciate the heads up on teh fans.
i have a similar remote control like this for my fan (mine is about 50 years old):
https://www.amazon.com/Woods-Indoor-...aEALw_wcB&th=1
i have a similar remote control like this for my fan (mine is about 50 years old):
https://www.amazon.com/Woods-Indoor-...aEALw_wcB&th=1
#6
I had two Lasko 18" Pedestal Fans but it was taking took much space in my office/trainer room. I'm now using a B-Air 1/8 HP Blower Fan and two BlueDri PRO 1/4 HP Blower Fans. The two 1/4HP blowers sits on side tables, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09J2QT149. The 1/8HP blower is on the floor. For remote, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N23GRYD.
Last edited by kcjc; 10-12-23 at 10:10 AM.
#7
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,874
Liked 4,042 Times
in
2,753 Posts
I have a pedestal fan pointed at my upper body and head. I'm not convinced that having a fan pointed at my lower body would do anything. I just reach over and change settings.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,398
Bikes: yes, i have one
Liked 1,227 Times
in
720 Posts
https://www.staples.com/coastwide-professional-8-standard-corn-broom-natural-cw57664/product_24420777?cid=PS:GS:SBDLA:CB:NIT823:BAU&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsp6pBhCfARIsAD3GZuYRly8fM7-DiExIWK9OR-TVJLJMErtLh5iJlDfs1oj_VlOCM-sTlV8aAis8EALw_wcB
#9
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 19,352
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Liked 13,203 Times
in
6,777 Posts
I have 3 fans. All 3 came from Home Depot and cost less in total than the cheapest fan mentioned by the OP. I'd rather spend my money on bikes, parts, tires, etc, but that's me.
One on the floor to the left of the front wheel, that's angled up toward my face. I can turn it on or off without dismounting, but I do have to stop pedaling and reach way down.
Another sits on a folding chair next to the other side of the front wheel and is pointed toward my legs and upper body. That one I can turn on or off or adjust the speed while pedalling.
The third is only used when it's already really warm in the garage. It's a lot more powerful than the others. I have to get off the bike to turn it on.
One on the floor to the left of the front wheel, that's angled up toward my face. I can turn it on or off without dismounting, but I do have to stop pedaling and reach way down.
Another sits on a folding chair next to the other side of the front wheel and is pointed toward my legs and upper body. That one I can turn on or off or adjust the speed while pedalling.
The third is only used when it's already really warm in the garage. It's a lot more powerful than the others. I have to get off the bike to turn it on.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northeastern MA, USA
Posts: 1,686
Bikes: Garmin/Tacx Bike Smart
Liked 296 Times
in
193 Posts
Mh 30+ year old Patton 18" air circulator is still working just fine. I think I paid about $25 for it. Can't see spending a ton for a fan. But if you want to vary fan speed with heart rate, have at it.
#11
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Pearland (Windy flatlands south of Houston)
Posts: 3
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, Habcycles Ti Road Team, Storck Absolutist, Canondale Road Tandem, Marin Ignacio, Sette Ace, Stages SC3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah the recent Zwift email with the Jet Black offering made me look again too.
I use a Lasko 4905 floor blower hooked up through a Kasa WiFi plug and can hit a delayed shutoff as well as a "turn the smart bike, the monitor, and the fan on" scene. Delayed shutoff good for drying things off.
It is quiet compared to the effective air it moves but it isn't silent., At the time I think I found one for $60 with the added bonus you can dry your floors if you have a disaster.
I'm with you on wanting to control it. On vs off vs getting down and going from low during warm up to high during an event would be nice. Kasa on/off wifi plug without power monitoring cheap enough to automate.
Can't find much on Jet Black specs for sound level or airflow.
I've thought about a using another fan for warmup/cooldown on a separate WiFi plug.
If you are doing circular fan or box fan, any of the blowers will be an improvement.
.
My Lasko supposedly does 300-340cfm on high and 59 dB off to the side but 68dB at the bars. Portable AC on high for humidity control runs 64dB.
The Sharper Image Fly noise level looks similar. Not sure about it doing that many more cfm than what I have at the same/less power consumption.(They are claiming 26mph and 950CFM)
I emailed the Jet Black guys about their spec.
I'll say a blower is a lot better than a fan. $101 for something with remote built in, probably isn't bad but you have another control laying around vs phone/tablet/Alexa. $150? Maybe if DCRainmaker gets around to comparing. KICKR headwind wasn't worth the $300 for a small convenience.
I use a Lasko 4905 floor blower hooked up through a Kasa WiFi plug and can hit a delayed shutoff as well as a "turn the smart bike, the monitor, and the fan on" scene. Delayed shutoff good for drying things off.
It is quiet compared to the effective air it moves but it isn't silent., At the time I think I found one for $60 with the added bonus you can dry your floors if you have a disaster.
I'm with you on wanting to control it. On vs off vs getting down and going from low during warm up to high during an event would be nice. Kasa on/off wifi plug without power monitoring cheap enough to automate.
Can't find much on Jet Black specs for sound level or airflow.
I've thought about a using another fan for warmup/cooldown on a separate WiFi plug.
If you are doing circular fan or box fan, any of the blowers will be an improvement.
.
My Lasko supposedly does 300-340cfm on high and 59 dB off to the side but 68dB at the bars. Portable AC on high for humidity control runs 64dB.
The Sharper Image Fly noise level looks similar. Not sure about it doing that many more cfm than what I have at the same/less power consumption.(They are claiming 26mph and 950CFM)
I emailed the Jet Black guys about their spec.
I'll say a blower is a lot better than a fan. $101 for something with remote built in, probably isn't bad but you have another control laying around vs phone/tablet/Alexa. $150? Maybe if DCRainmaker gets around to comparing. KICKR headwind wasn't worth the $300 for a small convenience.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,969
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Liked 3,365 Times
in
2,092 Posts
Yeah, I don't have a remote for my fans, but the small side table I've set up next to my trainer is already too crowded with gadgets and things. There's the ipad that I use to connect to Zwift. There's a second ipad that controls my music and that I also use for the Zwift companion. There's my phone - well, just in case. There's the remote for the video monitor. One of the fans sits on it. And on a lower shelf there is the stereo console that receives the bluetooth signal from ipad #2 and sends it to the speakers.
Who knew that getting exercise was going to be so complicated?
Who knew that getting exercise was going to be so complicated?
#13
Full Member
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,969
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Liked 3,365 Times
in
2,092 Posts
Can you do that and work up a sweat?
Likes For MinnMan:
#15
Full Member
I set the resistance pretty high. Today I had to take my t-shirt off because I was sweating too much. When I got done even my butt muscles were aching, LOL
#17
I just purchased the Lasko Pro Performance High Velocity Utility Fan from Amazon. It received favourable reviews from people who purchased it for training. I have only used it once, so I will delay judgment on it. I will say this thing is powerful and I only had it on the lowest setting.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Richfield, WI
Posts: 765
Bikes: Trek Domane SL7 Disc, Cannondale F29
Liked 350 Times
in
203 Posts
I just purchased the Lasko Pro Performance High Velocity Utility Fan from Amazon. It received favourable reviews from people who purchased it for training. I have only used it once, so I will delay judgment on it. I will say this thing is powerful and I only had it on the lowest setting.
#19
Full Member
I have two of these Honeywell Turbo 900 fans at about pedal height blowing upwards onto my chest. I don't like the wind in my eyes while riding indoors and won't wear sunglasses like I do outside. The fans are plugged into a dimmer switch box next to the keyboard to control fan speed.
https://www.honeywellstore.com/store...fan-ht-900.htm
https://www.honeywellstore.com/store...fan-ht-900.htm
#20
#21
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Pearland (Windy flatlands south of Houston)
Posts: 3
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, Habcycles Ti Road Team, Storck Absolutist, Canondale Road Tandem, Marin Ignacio, Sette Ace, Stages SC3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Same with the Lasko blowers I have they are just local control and set on low but then added the Kasa smart plug for on/off. Alexa, google, or Kasa app.
On low I'm getting about 21mph at the blower and about 15mph at the bars and 12mph by my head.
Also got this back from JetBlack."Thanks for reaching out.
According to our data testing the fan ranges from 54.3-64.8 decibels. Fan Volume per m/s ranges from 9.8-14.8. Power(W) ranges from 0.344- 0.562. The lower range was recorded in level 1 and the higher range in level 4.
Hope this information helps."
So they are like 21mph to 33mph. Looks like these all have about the same speed motor and relatively the same squirrel cage and just the casing and controls a bit different.
So for $150 or whatever I would be adding a multispeed vs on off remote....meh. If I didn't have a blower, the incremental might have been at least worth trying the shaper image. Compromise probably just add a second blower and another smart outlet for off, Z2, and race.
On low I'm getting about 21mph at the blower and about 15mph at the bars and 12mph by my head.
Also got this back from JetBlack."Thanks for reaching out.
According to our data testing the fan ranges from 54.3-64.8 decibels. Fan Volume per m/s ranges from 9.8-14.8. Power(W) ranges from 0.344- 0.562. The lower range was recorded in level 1 and the higher range in level 4.
Hope this information helps."
So they are like 21mph to 33mph. Looks like these all have about the same speed motor and relatively the same squirrel cage and just the casing and controls a bit different.
So for $150 or whatever I would be adding a multispeed vs on off remote....meh. If I didn't have a blower, the incremental might have been at least worth trying the shaper image. Compromise probably just add a second blower and another smart outlet for off, Z2, and race.
#22
Junior Member
Thanks to the OP for posting some good fan options.
I've contemplated getting a nicer fan with a remote, but I don't spend a ton of time on the trainer. I'm using one "contractor grade" floor fan from Home Depot. It has 3 settings and no remote. It's loud, but it's very powerful. Not ideal, but it gets the job done.
For the time being I'll probably stick with my cheap, loud (but powerful) Home Depot special. Maybe I'll splurge for an upgrade in 2024 as we head into the summer season. Using an indoor trainer in a garage in Florida gets hot!
I've contemplated getting a nicer fan with a remote, but I don't spend a ton of time on the trainer. I'm using one "contractor grade" floor fan from Home Depot. It has 3 settings and no remote. It's loud, but it's very powerful. Not ideal, but it gets the job done.
For the time being I'll probably stick with my cheap, loud (but powerful) Home Depot special. Maybe I'll splurge for an upgrade in 2024 as we head into the summer season. Using an indoor trainer in a garage in Florida gets hot!
#23
Senior Member
I have two of these Honeywell Turbo 900 fans at about pedal height blowing upwards onto my chest. I don't like the wind in my eyes while riding indoors and won't wear sunglasses like I do outside. The fans are plugged into a dimmer switch box next to the keyboard to control fan speed.
https://www.honeywellstore.com/store...fan-ht-900.htm
https://www.honeywellstore.com/store...fan-ht-900.htm
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Richfield, WI
Posts: 765
Bikes: Trek Domane SL7 Disc, Cannondale F29
Liked 350 Times
in
203 Posts
I considered doing the same but heard from multiple sources that fan motors don't like being starved of electricity by an external source. That being said, if your house hasn't started on fire and the dimmer switch is working, then you win!
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,867
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
Liked 2,068 Times
in
906 Posts
back in my day we just used an old box fan......
https://imgur.com/a/9LjdBfS
https://imgur.com/a/9LjdBfS