Trainer advice
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 103
Bikes: CAAD10 105
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Trainer advice
So i'm considering a trainer. I'm looking for one compatible with my 700 CC road bike as well as my wife's 26 in bike. I've seen a trainer on Amazon for $50, i've seen expensive ones for $600. I'm not sure what the difference will be between those options. I don't even know what features I care about, I don't have a cycle computer on my current bike. The purpose of the trainer is for if I don't get out super early I can still get a ride in when I have all the kids with me at night. (also to encourage the wife to ride more.... that is really the motivator). I tend to lean more towards the $50 version but if there is a big quality difference and benefit I could talk myself into the $200 range.
Any suggestions or recommendations?
Any suggestions or recommendations?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tulsa OK
Posts: 2,076
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I spend alot of time on the trainer and would recommend one with a better resistance unit if you're planning on spending any time on one at all. I use a Kinetic Road Machine.
#3
pluralis majestatis
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: you rope
Posts: 4,206
Bikes: a DuhRosa
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 537 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
youtube "GCN Trainer"
should have all the info you need
i quite enjoy my "smart" trainer because it provides a level of interactivity to keep me interested. sitting and spinning against a fixed resistance, or fiddling with it manually, i imaine could be tedious.
should have all the info you need
i quite enjoy my "smart" trainer because it provides a level of interactivity to keep me interested. sitting and spinning against a fixed resistance, or fiddling with it manually, i imaine could be tedious.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 493
Bikes: 2013 SuperSix Ultegra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I spend a lot of time of my rollers, and I recommend them over a dumb trainer any day. I have the cyclops rollers with resistance. I can tell that my balance and bike handling skills have improved.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 103
Bikes: CAAD10 105
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
My wife is funny, she can get motivated to run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike a lot easier than actually going outside. I think it's mostly the commitment factor, if she ends up far away she will be stuck but at home she's safe and can bonk.
Do rollers give resistance? I had never heard of them until about two weeks ago. The idea of rollers is very appealing to me but I don't know if my second half will be comfortable with them
Do rollers give resistance? I had never heard of them until about two weeks ago. The idea of rollers is very appealing to me but I don't know if my second half will be comfortable with them
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 367
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Depends on your goals and budget. On the high end, you have electronic trainers over $1200+ and can get one as cheap as around $100 new.
I would spring for at least a decent fluid trainer. In the northern hemisphere, spring is coming, so you should be able to pick up a decent used fluid trainer on Craigslist for cheap. I'd look for a CycleOps or a Kurt Kinetic. Otherwise the $100 run of the mill Nashbar or Performance Bike fluid isn't too bad.
I would spring for at least a decent fluid trainer. In the northern hemisphere, spring is coming, so you should be able to pick up a decent used fluid trainer on Craigslist for cheap. I'd look for a CycleOps or a Kurt Kinetic. Otherwise the $100 run of the mill Nashbar or Performance Bike fluid isn't too bad.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 367
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A smart trainer plus Zwift makes training indoors tolerable. I averaged 10 hours a week on the trainer this winter and am starting the season off stronger than I've ever been. Having a smart trainer hooked up to a permanent trainer bike in front of two displays with Zwift and surfing the web ala a special desk I made for the trainer makes indoor rides not bad. Honestly my best workouts are indoors - I can simulate any type of ride I want, including indefinitely long low cadence/high power mountain simulation. The biggest hill in my state is 3.4 miles, 837 ft at 5% average gradient. The smart trainer lets me simulate any mountain in the world, all from the convenience from my house.