Touring bike indoors as exercise bike?
02-09-14, 04:57 PM
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Touring bike indoors as exercise bike?
It has occurred to me that 'riding' my bike *indoors* in Winter -- as a stationary bike -- might be a win/win (riding/storing) situation. I see that bike stands exist for this type of thing. I would welcome advice (past advice was awesome!) or recommendations. Do tell!
Thanks,
Paulette
Thanks,
Paulette
02-09-14, 06:05 PM
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I have a Cycleops trainer.
It's boring as hell but better than going to a gym.
It's boring as hell but better than going to a gym.
02-09-14, 06:32 PM
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Heck yeah. I had set up my Lemond on the trainer, then got concerned that I needed some recumbent specific work, so I set up my Bacchetta on the trainer and it too has worked out fine.
You might take a look at my "42" thread. My bike is in front of a TV, and I route my iPad through it via an adaptor to an HDMI cable into it. I then watch people's training vids. This week I've gone cycling in Mallorca, the Minuteman Trail in Boston, and up Mt. Ventoux.
The widespread amateur use of video cams and YouTube I think has revolutionized trainer time. I've actually grown to like it. Kind of.
You might take a look at my "42" thread. My bike is in front of a TV, and I route my iPad through it via an adaptor to an HDMI cable into it. I then watch people's training vids. This week I've gone cycling in Mallorca, the Minuteman Trail in Boston, and up Mt. Ventoux.
The widespread amateur use of video cams and YouTube I think has revolutionized trainer time. I've actually grown to like it. Kind of.
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02-09-14, 06:44 PM
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I have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, bought based on the reviews that said it was well made and wouldn't leak fluids like some do.
I've used it in the winter with old tires (trainers are hard on tires, don't use your good ones)
It is so very much no fun.
Yesterday I went out on my commuter bike in pouring rain to do intervals rather than ride the trainer.
But I have ridden it when the combo of cold, dark and wet makes outdoors less inviting.
Set up a TV, audio book, or something so you don't lose your mind.
Have a fan and something to catch the buckets of sweat that will fall off your exhausted body.
I've used it in the winter with old tires (trainers are hard on tires, don't use your good ones)
It is so very much no fun.
Yesterday I went out on my commuter bike in pouring rain to do intervals rather than ride the trainer.
But I have ridden it when the combo of cold, dark and wet makes outdoors less inviting.
Set up a TV, audio book, or something so you don't lose your mind.
Have a fan and something to catch the buckets of sweat that will fall off your exhausted body.
02-11-14, 11:10 AM
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I think your triple chainring will be a huge plus on the hills.
02-11-14, 11:11 AM
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In a more serious vein of thought.....get good and bored. Otherwise you havent been on it long enough.
02-11-14, 11:52 AM
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, and they have a cool video thing on a big screen so we can cycle Bryce Canyon, the Adirondacks, and Death Valley all in an hour.
02-11-14, 11:58 AM
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02-11-14, 12:31 PM
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Although it is boring as heck, I like having my own bike seat that riding at the gym on their stationaries
02-11-14, 12:33 PM
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This is where collecting all those On the road Videos may help ...
something to put on the TV/computer monitor to stare at while you turn the pedals..
something to put on the TV/computer monitor to stare at while you turn the pedals..
02-11-14, 08:25 PM
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42?
Heck yeah. . . .
You might take a look at my "42" thread. My bike is in front of a TV, and I route my iPad through it via an adaptor to an HDMI cable into it. I then watch people's training vids. This week I've gone cycling in Mallorca, the Minuteman Trail in Boston, and up Mt. Ventoux.
The widespread amateur use of video cams and YouTube I think has revolutionized trainer time. I've actually grown to like it. Kind of.
You might take a look at my "42" thread. My bike is in front of a TV, and I route my iPad through it via an adaptor to an HDMI cable into it. I then watch people's training vids. This week I've gone cycling in Mallorca, the Minuteman Trail in Boston, and up Mt. Ventoux.
The widespread amateur use of video cams and YouTube I think has revolutionized trainer time. I've actually grown to like it. Kind of.
How do I view your '42' thread?
Thx
Paulette
02-11-14, 08:35 PM
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I have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, bought based on the reviews that said it was well made and wouldn't leak fluids like some do.
I've used it in the winter with old tires (trainers are hard on tires, don't use your good ones)
It is so very much no fun. . . .
Set up a TV, audio book, or something so you don't lose your mind.
I've used it in the winter with old tires (trainers are hard on tires, don't use your good ones)
It is so very much no fun. . . .
Set up a TV, audio book, or something so you don't lose your mind.
What about changing up the SEAT when using as an exercise bike -- e.g.: adding an uber cushiony one? Seems like being extra comfy might make up for the 'uninteresting' nature of riding in place.
Paulette
02-11-14, 09:51 PM
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Change my saddle? NEVER! The point of a trainer is that you are on on your bike that fits and is the same bike you use on the road. If you have a better saddle, use it everywhere.
02-12-14, 04:41 AM
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I was using my Vaya touring bike on the trainer earlier this winter....fenders and all! I was swapping out a new 6800 11spd group on my road bikes, so the touring bike was all I had. I use the Kurt Kinetics trainer
As far as getting bored, I have some riding videos that are pretty good. I also really like the Spinerval training videos
As far as getting bored, I have some riding videos that are pretty good. I also really like the Spinerval training videos
02-12-14, 05:54 AM
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02-13-14, 11:13 AM
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I have an '82 Fuji Supreme that does permanent duty on a trainer in the basement in front of the TV.
02-13-14, 06:34 PM
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I last about 33 minutes on the trainer before I keel over from boredom, which (perhaps coincidentally) is just about the time when I start really working up a sweat. Key thing is to work out before you put the heating on so the room is nice and cold and watch something on TV where it doesn't matter if you miss bits of the sound. Even the so-called quiet trainers are not really quiet.
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02-14-14, 08:49 AM
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I have my bike trainer sitting on a treadmill bed (weird, yes). The ledge of the treadmill control panel holds an iPad running sufferfest training videos (https://www.thesufferfest.com/). I also have a fan blowing from the front, and speakers on either side hanging from the ceiling. I alternate two minutes of sit and two minutes of stand. It's still tough to go more than 30+ min without total boredom blackout.
02-14-14, 11:39 PM
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03-10-14, 01:53 PM
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My MAG trainer is hell on the back tire. I have a flat spot in the middle after riding hard on the trainer quite a bit. My legs are doing fine, though. 
03-18-14, 09:04 PM
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I use my oldest bike on the trainer, this puts it to good use. The least boring thing that watch on TV when riding the trainer is a basketball game and during commercials I shift to a high gear then stand to climb hills during the minute or two.
