Bicycle Trainers

[TimmyBoston]

After getting very into cycling this summer I realize I need to keep training all winter, I have plenty of cold weather gear, but with the snow we get here I wont' be able to get out as much as I need to. So I need a trainer. Cost is an issue here so I can't go all out, but I want a quality product that will give me a serious workout.

What should I get?

 

[Brodirt]

Kurt Kinetic is the best. In my experience its the most realistic feel and its incredibly well built as well. It is not cheap, but none of the quality trainers are. Stick with a fluid unit, they are the best from any manufacturer.

 

[superbleu]

I have a variable resistance fluid filled trainer from performance bike that was pretty inexpensive(comparable), and have been happy with it.
I find I don't use the variable resistance much so that was kind of a waste. Stepping up in gears is usually plenty hard enough on the lowest setting.

 

[Brodirt]

I have a variable resistance fluid filled trainer from performance bike that was pretty inexpensive(comparable), and have been happy with it.
I find I don't use the variable resistance much so that was kind of a waste. Stepping up in gears is usually plenty hard enough on the lowest setting.

Correct...with a quality trainer (and I don't know about the performance bike unit to comment on quality) there is no need for variable resistance. You simply use the gears of your bike.

 

[moonshine44]

I have a CycleOps Fluid 2 that I've got about 2000 miles on. Great unit, but it's started to seep oil. I'm going to contact them and see what I can do about that.

 

[RazorDingo]

I know a lot of cyclists, many of whom are far more accomplished and serious about the sport than I am, swear by trainers.

But I've never liked them.

Not only is there the expense of actually buying the thing. You've also got to find someplace to put it. Unless your house has a dedicated workout room, this usually means the basement or a garage - if you're lucky. And trust me - when its 10° below zero outside, you won't want to be spending much time huffing away on the bike trainer in your garage.

Aside from the cost issue, there is also the fact that trainers can be remarkably hard on the tires. Most people I know buy cheapo tires just to burn up in their trainers. Another annoying expense. And you've got to make sure you wipe your bike down after each use, since the sweat you drop on your frame and gruppo on a trainer can be remarkably corrosive.

But for me, the worst thing about trainers is the boredom. You can set up TVs to watch and iPods to listen to - but you'll never get away from the fact that you are stuck in the same place. A larger primate version of the hamster running on his exercise wheel.

Indy doesn't really get that cold over the winter. Buy some windstopper tights, a couple of long sleeve jerseys, a skull cap, and some full finger gloves. There is something truly magical about going for a bike ride, on trail or road, at a time of year when most people are cowering inside. You'll be amazed at how comfortable you can be.

Maybe you stay indoors from late December till late February. Take a couple months off from the bike. (Don't worry about it - the pros do this too.)

But think long and hard before you go the trainer route. It ain't the same as being on the road.

 

[Brodirt]

I know a lot of cyclists, many of whom are far more accomplished and serious about the sport than I am, swear by trainers.

But I've never liked them.

Not only is there the expense of actually buying the thing. You've also got to find someplace to put it. Unless your house has a dedicated workout room, this usually means the basement or a garage - if you're lucky. And trust me - when its 10° below zero outside, you won't want to be spending much time huffing away on the bike trainer in your garage.

Aside from the cost issue, there is also the fact that trainers can be remarkably hard on the tires. Most people I know buy cheapo tires just to burn up in their trainers. Another annoying expense. And you've got to make sure you wipe your bike down after each use, since the sweat you drop on your frame and gruppo on a trainer can be remarkably corrosive.

But for me, the worst thing about trainers is the boredom. You can set up TVs to watch and iPods to listen to - but you'll never get away from the fact that you are stuck in the same place. A larger primate version of the hamster running on his exercise wheel.

Indy doesn't really get that cold over the winter. Buy some windstopper tights, a couple of long sleeve jerseys, a skull cap, and some full finger gloves. There is something truly magical about going for a bike ride, on trail or road, at a time of year when most people are cowering inside. You'll be amazed at how comfortable you can be.

Maybe you stay indoors from late December till late February. Take a couple months off from the bike. (Don't worry about it - the pros do this too.)

But think long and hard before you go the trainer route. It ain't the same as being on the road.

All of the above is correct, however....

Being on the road is better when you can ride comfortably, quickly, efficiently and safely. Being on a trainer when you can't do any of the above allows you to "train" effectively.

You will not be "riding" you will be "training." If you want to ride then by all means the above post is correct...if you want to train then the trainer is the only way to go in the winter. In fact, I ride the trainer year round. This morning I went over 5000 miles for the year and 3800 has been on the trainer. I am usually 50/50 when the years is up but this year has been horrible weather.

When you make a commitment to train indoors then view it as just that...not as riding your bicycle. When you make that commitment you will be able to put forth much harder efforts than you could imagine possible.

 

[RazorDingo]

Well, thats just it, isn't it: The difference between training and cycling.

There is no doubt that, when road or weather conditions are agin' you - that an indoor trainer allows you to have much tighter control over your training regime. A tight interval training workout, for instance, isn't always possilbe on the road.

On the other hand, I also know many competitive cyclists actually purposely take a couple months off from the bike - totally, indoors and out - over the winter months. They say it gives the body a chance to recover from the rigors of the season. Some use the time to rest, or to do weight training, or to get their aerobic exercise through basketball or racquetball.

You obviously don't want to let yourself totally go to seed, physically. But come spring time, you'll be amazed at how little your abilities have declined, and how quickly you get back the bike speed and power you had the prior year. Some guys use the time to mechanically strip the bike down, replace cables, housings, grip tape, etc.

The main thing to guide you, in this case, is to ask yourself the question: Do you like cycling for its own sake, or do you like it more for the physical training aspects?

 

[dwestenk]

This is the one I use from 1upUSA:
View attachment 68547

I use it to keep fit and keep my weight under control. I set it up in the basement and watch whatever on the tube, but,

... It ain't the same as being on the road.

Definitely not the same as out on the road!

 

[redbike]

There's also rollers to think about. Much more challenging but also more beneficial than a stationary trainer.

 

[Brodirt]

There's also rollers to think about. Much more challenging but also more beneficial than a stationary trainer.

Not really....you cannot train on rollers like you do on a trainer. In fact, I would say that rollers (and I have a set) are a gimmick. Once you get it, you have trained yourself to pedal better and thats about it. Rollers are great for honing the roundness of your pedal stroke and for doing stupid youtube tricks, but they are not for training. In fact the better solution to rounding your stroke, and getting in great training year round, but especially in the winter, is to get a fixed gear bike and just go and ride it slow and long and up and down...it will make you insanely fit. Listen to pro rider interviews, and watch a pro TT warm up, and you will see that the pros dont use rollers either, they use trainers.

The 1up above is an excellent trainer as well.

 

[TimmyBoston]

All of the above is correct, however....

Being on the road is better when you can ride comfortably, quickly, efficiently and safely. Being on a trainer when you can't do any of the above allows you to "train" effectively.

You will not be "riding" you will be "training." If you want to ride then by all means the above post is correct...if you want to train then the trainer is the only way to go in the winter. In fact, I ride the trainer year round. This morning I went over 5000 miles for the year and 3800 has been on the trainer. I am usually 50/50 when the years is up but this year has been horrible weather.

When you make a commitment to train indoors then view it as just that...not as riding your bicycle. When you make that commitment you will be able to put forth much harder efforts than you could imagine possible.

Thanks for the info Brodirt. That's how I feel about it, I don't just want to ride, I want to train and get better.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Kurt Kinetic is the best. In my experience its the most realistic feel and its incredibly well built as well. It is not cheap, but none of the quality trainers are. Stick with a fluid unit, they are the best from any manufacturer.

What is the longevity of the product like this?

 

[Brodirt]

My Kurt trainer, the Road Machine, is entering its 4th "off season" and I would say it has 800 or so hours on it without a glitch. It has been dragged to plenty of races and sees regular changing of bicycles. It works as good today as when it was new.

 

[TimmyBoston]

My Kurt trainer, the Road Machine, is entering its 4th "off season" and I would say it has 800 or so hours on it without a glitch. It has been dragged to plenty of races and sees regular changing of bicycles. It works as good today as when it was new.

That's really good to hear, that's the model I'm looking at.

 

[perry]

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/shop/product.php?productid=16371&cat=256&page=1

That will end up being a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine... or you can try calling the company and seeing if they have any demos for sale. I think they go for around $199.

 

[SRock]

I've been looking at the Kurt Kinetic trainers for the past couple of months. We'll see our first snow in 5-6 weeks and then that will be the end of riding season. I'm probably going to pick one up within the next month or so.

Tim, let us know what you decide/get and how it is working.

 

[TimmyBoston]

I've been looking at the Kurt Kinetic trainers for the past couple of months. We'll see our first snow in 5-6 weeks and then that will be the end of riding season. I'm probably going to pick one up within the next month or so.

Tim, let us know what you decide/get and how it is working.

Will do, Rob.

 

[cbird]

For a great cost/quality ratio, I'd recommend getting a used vintage Schwinn trainer. These are tan colored and look sort of like old Schwinn varsity. They are very durable and compare in quality to current $500 trainers used in spinning classes (the first quality spinning cycles were made by Schwinn). You could probably find one on eBay. Generally, the quality trainers will have chain drives rather than the magnetic resistance type and new trainers of adequate quality will cost in the $500 range, but one of these old Schwinns can be had for much less (I got one for $75).

 

[Brodirt]

For a great cost/quality ratio, I'd recommend getting a used vintage Schwinn trainer. These are tan colored and look sort of like old Schwinn varsity. They are very durable and compare in quality to current $500 trainers used in spinning classes (the first quality spinning cycles were made by Schwinn). You could probably find one on eBay. Generally, the quality trainers will have chain drives rather than the magnetic resistance type and new trainers of adequate quality will cost in the $500 range, but one of these old Schwinns can be had for much less (I got one for $75).

I believe you are talking about an actual indoor bicycle and not a cycling trainer. They are different creatures altogether, and while a good "spinning" bike can give a great workout, it is not the same as training on your bicycle on a high quality "trainer." When you train on your bicycle, in your position, you not only train better and specifically, but your time spent on your bike will make you much more aware of corrections needed in your position on the bike as well.