Biker Trainer

[Kloosty]

I'm looking to get a bike trainer because I live in Canada so winter riding is tricky. I've only been into road biking a year, but I did do cross country mountain biking in high school, I did a 2000km bike trip this summer and I'm looking into getting into a few small races next year. Can anyone give me advice as to a good entry level bike trainer keeping in mind that even though I just started a new job, I also just graduated from university so my cash reserves aren't huge.

[Bill]

Nice to hear from ya as it has been a while. Being your in Canada I would and winter weather is our worse enemy. So for a road biking person like yourself buying at least a mid grade trainer would be essential! As for a brand I honestly am not to salvy.

Bill

[RBurrelli]

I just recently purchased a trainer and used it last night for the first time. While I was researching I decided to get a fluid trainer. Others said the advantages were less noise than a magnetic and the fluid provides a more realistic feel that provides resistance based upon speed and gearing. With last nights ride, I would totally agree. I could comfortably watch the TV on a regular volume and got a nice hour long ride in.

Prices on these can vary greatly. Mine was in the $135.00 range. I have seen them for under $100. Magnetic will be less expensive. And roller type even less expensive.

Do you have craigslist in Canada?

[Kloosty]

Yes I do. I used a similar website called Kijiji to buy the bike I have now (Specialized Sequoia).

[cyclerUK]

On no account get a fan (wind resistance) trainer as they are very noisy.
They are cheap and give a good workout but I have to have the volume of my MP3 up full.
So it never gets used.

[xerxes]

I've got one of these:

http://www.tacx.com/en/producten/fietstrainers/sirius/index.dot

And a cheap spare rear wheel on which I have a close ratio cassette and indoor training tyre: http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/recetyres/hometrainer/hometrainer_en.html

It's fairly quiet, feels quite natural to ride and the adjustment combined with the gears gives plenty of variation to the resistance. You can also download a number training programs from the Tacx web site: http://www.tacx.com/en/tacx-coach/trainingsprogrammas/index.dot

You might also consider getting a pedistal fan to put in front of you to cool you down and maybe a sweatband for your head because even with the fan you still sweat a lot.

It's also a good idea to get a cylce computer that runs off the rear wheel and measure cadence, I have one of these: http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/407

[Kloosty]

(09-30-2010, 06:56 AM)xerxes Wrote:  I've got one of these:

http://www.tacx.com/en/producten/fietstrainers/sirius/index.dot

And a cheap spare rear wheel on which I have a close ratio cassette and indoor training tyre: http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/recetyres/hometrainer/hometrainer_en.html

It's fairly quiet, feels quite natural to ride and the adjustment combined with the gears gives plenty of variation to the resistance. You can also download a number training programs from the Tacx web site: http://www.tacx.com/en/tacx-coach/trainingsprogrammas/index.dot

You might also consider getting a pedistal fan to put in front of you to cool you down and maybe a sweatband for your head because even with the fan you still sweat a lot.

It's also a good idea to get a cylce computer that runs off the rear wheel and measure cadence, I have one of these: http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/407

How much do these cost? I have a feeling they're rather expensive.

[xerxes]

Quote:How much do these cost? I have a feeling they're rather expensive.

I'm not sure how much they are in Canada, try Google for local suppliers.

[Kloosty]

I've done some looking around and I've found a used CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer that seems to be a good deal. Does anyone have any experience with this model?

Also I've seen accessories for bike trainers (mats, sweat guards, etc.), which are important to get right away?

[BikeCrazyAgain]

Any opinions here on the Kurt Rock and Roll? It's darned expensive, but I've been intrigued by it.

[xerxes]

(10-04-2010, 02:59 PM)Kloosty Wrote:  I've done some looking around and I've found a used CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer that seems to be a good deal. Does anyone have any experience with this model?

Also I've seen accessories for bike trainers (mats, sweat guards, etc.), which are important to get right away?

I've no personal experience with the CyclOps, but here's a review:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/resistance-trainer/product/fluid-2-9437 - the lack of adjustable resistance would put me off.

With regard to the accessories, I use mine in a sort of garage/utility room, so the mat isn't an issue. I use a towel over the handlebars/headseat rather than a sweat guard. Also you can get a stand for the front wheel, so that the bike is level when the rear is raised on the trainer. I find a house brick works well as a cheap substitute, the sort with a slot in the top is ideal: