Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Trainer?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-05-18, 04:59 PM
  #1  
SundayNiagara
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 419
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Trainer?

I have been away from this forum for a very long time and own a Trek SL5 which I've only ridden a couple of times due to health issues. I've recently been feeling better and would like to start riding, but the legs are very weak and I don't want to venture out into South Florida streets with them being out of shape.

So I am looking for advice on a stationary trainer and have no idea where to start? I am thinking maybe in the $300. price range?

Thanks in advance.

Mark
SundayNiagara is offline  
Old 04-05-18, 05:28 PM
  #2  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Liked 3,110 Times in 1,418 Posts
Unless you want a smart trainer in order to do Zwift, there's no need to spend $300 on a trainer.

Something like this would be perfectly fine for your purposes: https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...r-as-fl13-base

PS: welcome back!
caloso is offline  
Old 04-05-18, 05:42 PM
  #3  
firebird854
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 613

Bikes: 2016 Specialized Tarmac Expert

Liked 140 Times in 75 Posts
Personally, I LOVE my Cycleops Magnus, especially since a recent firmware update gave it the ability to send cadence data. It costs around $500 but you can have a lot of fun with Zwift, Trainerroad, Today's Plan, TP, etc. (you can with other trainers too, but unless you go "smart" trainer, the workout cannot control the trainer).

I also own some very nice Cycleops Rollers and am considering Ebaying them at this point, literally haven't touched them since getting this smart trainer.
firebird854 is offline  
Old 04-05-18, 06:00 PM
  #4  
SundayNiagara
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 419
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
Unless you want a smart trainer in order to do Zwift, there's no need to spend $300 on a trainer.

Something like this would be perfectly fine for your purposes: https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...r-as-fl13-base

PS: welcome back!
Thanks.
SundayNiagara is offline  
Old 04-05-18, 06:11 PM
  #5  
Dopefish905
Senior Member
 
Dopefish905's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Hamilton Ontario
Posts: 180

Bikes: Cervelo S3

Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
IF your really not interested in Zwift or smart trainers, I would get the Kurt Kenetic, it will last a lifetime and is rock solid and has a great feel. If you feel like upgrading it, you can add a Bluetooth addition that will estimate power pretty closely and you can ride on Zwift with it. Find em used pretty easy for 250-300. Buy used if you can, cause they don’t break or wear out.

If your even thinking of using Zwift in the future get the smart trainer though and don’t waste your time or money.
Dopefish905 is offline  
Old 04-05-18, 06:27 PM
  #6  
SundayNiagara
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 419
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Dopefish905
IF your really not interested in Zwift or smart trainers, I would get the Kurt Kenetic, it will last a lifetime and is rock solid and has a great feel. If you feel like upgrading it, you can add a Bluetooth addition that will estimate power pretty closely and you can ride on Zwift with it. Find em used pretty easy for 250-300. Buy used if you can, cause they don’t break or wear out.

If your even thinking of using Zwift in the future get the smart trainer though and don’t waste your time or money.
Thanks.
I just want to get some strength in my legs.
SundayNiagara is offline  
Old 04-06-18, 08:24 AM
  #7  
OBoile
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,794
Liked 326 Times in 204 Posts
Originally Posted by Dopefish905
IF your really not interested in Zwift or smart trainers, I would get the Kurt Kenetic, it will last a lifetime and is rock solid and has a great feel. If you feel like upgrading it, you can add a Bluetooth addition that will estimate power pretty closely and you can ride on Zwift with it. Find em used pretty easy for 250-300. Buy used if you can, cause they don’t break or wear out.

If your even thinking of using Zwift in the future get the smart trainer though and don’t waste your time or money.
I did what you suggest here (got the KK trainer, then upgraded with the power meter). It works quite well IMO.

Having said that, I purchased it before I had heard of Zwift. If I was buying a trainer now, I'd likely do as you suggest and get a smart trainer right from the start.
OBoile is offline  
Old 04-06-18, 09:37 AM
  #8  
Michael Novo
Newbie
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 3 Posts
This was the answer for me but not necessarily for others. When using regular trainers I'd get bored and would not push myself very hard. On Black Friday I landed a deal for 20% off a new Wahoo Kickr Snap and tried a Zwift subscription. No going back to a regular trainer for me. Group rides, FTP tests and other workouts are enough to keep me entertained. As silly as it sounds I chase the upgrades the game offers (every km or mile you ride gives you a certain number of points). Drafting, up and downhill all feels really good (the game adjusts the intensity on these things). And the graphics which are always in the works are a nice serene getaway from tv for me.
Michael Novo is offline  
Old 04-06-18, 10:04 AM
  #9  
blacknbluebikes 
Senior Member
 
blacknbluebikes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 1,286

Bikes: two blacks, a blue and a white.

Liked 852 Times in 412 Posts
keep it simple. I always see a trainer or two on Craig's List for like $50-75. might have to ask your LBS for a "trainer skewer" that fits the trainer's couplings. your legs will be fine in a few weeks, don't over invest. later, if you like, you can upgrade.
blacknbluebikes is offline  
Old 04-06-18, 10:07 AM
  #10  
SundayNiagara
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 419
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by blacknbluebikes
keep it simple. I always see a trainer or two on Craig's List for like $50-75. might have to ask your LBS for a "trainer skewer" that fits the trainer's couplings. your legs will be fine in a few weeks, don't over invest. later, if you like, you can upgrade.
Thanks.
SundayNiagara is offline  
Old 04-06-18, 03:05 PM
  #11  
SundayNiagara
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 419
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
Unless you want a smart trainer in order to do Zwift, there's no need to spend $300 on a trainer.

Something like this would be perfectly fine for your purposes: https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...r-as-fl13-base

PS: welcome back!
Does anyone else sell this trainer? Nashbar won't have it until April 30.

PS: I did check Amazon.
SundayNiagara is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ibanez350ex
Indoor & Stationary Cycling Forum
52
11-16-19 03:53 PM
boshk
Road Cycling
15
06-10-17 07:01 AM
rperkins146
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
16
03-09-17 08:28 AM
wedgeSG
Road Cycling
42
01-03-16 08:29 PM
Lt Stonez
Road Cycling
10
10-30-15 09:48 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Your Privacy Choices -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.