Indoor Bicycle Trainer

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Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
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Does anybody know much about bike trainers? My wife wants a good trainer. She really got into biking this summer and has her sights set on a good road bike for next season, but for now, she has a mountain bike with slicks as her bike so the trainer would have to work with that as well.

I'd like to get her a good one. Ease of use, smoothness and reliablity I guess are most important. I don't know if there are any bells and whistles, but I doubt that she would need them. I figure she will ride like one hour, three times a week. Price is not a huge issue, although I figure no more than $300

I may also use it, and I am weigh a lot, so durability is important.

Thanks.
 
The Kinetic Road Machine is available for about ~$340 retail. It seems to be well regarded based on some brief research. However, I am not a cyclist. The CycleOps brand looks OK, too. They are also a bit above $300. Better to spend a few extra bucks and get something of quality than to try to save a few bucks and sacrifice quality IMO. Good luck.
 
I don't use them, but plenty of other people at my bike shop do. If I were to get one for myself it would likely be the Cycleops Fluid2, bought my GF the Cycleops Magneto b/c she just doesn't need that much resistance.

Otherwise, I'd look into blackburn. Although I have *no* experience with their trainers, I do have a very high opinion of their other products.

As far as warranty, both are lifetime and I've had good relations with both cust. service departments. But, not to detract in the least from Cycleops, Blackburn always seems to go out of their way to make sure the customer is happy. YMMV of course!
 
Most of the are cheap... built assuming that you'll give up on this crazy indoor bike idea in a few weeks.

Monark is a great brand. Precor and Lifecycle are good too.
 
CycleOps seems to be the preferred brand of late, though Blackburn have been making trainers for a long time and are well regarded. If she really wants to improve her cycling have her look at rollers instead of a trainer....Kreitler is the gold standard in rollers.
 
First of all, there are many kinds of trainers. for the budget you've set, I'd completely ignore wind trainers (basically, your wheel will be driving a small fan, which provides the resistance). They are loud, and don't feel that great (but cheap). Then you're left with mag-trainers (magnet based), or fluid-trainers (usually oil, or Kurt uses a "thermal neutral" silicone).

Basically, mag trainers are quieter than wind trainers, but fluid trainers are the most quiet. Some mag trainers allow you to vary the amount of resistance, while I haven't seen a fluid trainer that has one (or needs one). Mag trainers are usually a little cheaper than a fluid trainer, but the fluid trainer usually give a better "road feel". With some older fluid trainers, you may run into leaking problems, but those are usually covered by warranty.

CycleOps is a good brand with several <$300 options. However, I've been doing the same research, and have decided on a Kurt Kinetic Rock'n'Roll. The Rock and Roll and their Road Machine are the same trainers (same resistance unit) on two different bases. The Rock and Roll is a bit more expensive because it allows for side-to-side rocking/leaning motion of the bike, while the Road Machine is the traditional stationary trainer. The Road Machine is just over your budget by $18 ($318 shipped/delivered with Amazon Prime), but I think it's well worth it. It's one of the best constructed and most durable trainers out there, even compared to the CycleOps offerings.

Both Kurt and CycleOps have a lifetime warranty on their stuff, and both have great customer service (from what I've read). CycleOps has been a bigger name for longer, and has a longer track record, and more models. However, search for reviews of the Kurt Kinetic (aka: "KK" - the brand) Road Machine (the model), and you'll find that most people who own one prefer them over the CycleOps offerings. The KK Road Machine design is definitely nicer, and leak-proof, and very quiet, and has a better "road feel". I am liking my Rock and Roll a lot.

I say go Kurt Kinetic Road Machine! My gf has been contemplating getting a trainer for herself so she can train with me, and I'm swaying her towards the KK Road Machine. (it's a little out of her budget, but I'm playing the "buy nice once, cry once" card, since a good trainer will last for years, and her Road Machine will be almost identical to my Rock'n'Roll. On a trainer that is supposed to last for years, why spend $250-290 on something mediocre when you can pay $320 for something great? (comparing the CycleOps Magneto or Fluid2 against the KK Road Machine) Lets say the unit lasts for 5 years, that's a difference of only $6-$14/year, or just over $0.50-$1.20 per month.)
 
I bought a relatively inexpensive Nashbar (rebranded Minoura) mag-type.
Clamps the bike securely and is quiet. Resistance is easily adjustable.

A couple of things....

First, you'll need to level the bike, as the trainers lift the back wheel by several inches. You can buy a nice little holder for the front wheel, or you can put a phone book under the wheel. I use the phone book.

You don't have to constantly fiddle with the resistance on the trainer, as you can accomplish the same thing by shifting gears. Just set a bit of resistance and use the gears.
Clamp the rear axle firmly, you don't want to fall off...
Keep the rear tire properly inflated. You might consider a tough, cheap tire if you're going to keep the bike on the trainer through the Winter, rather than putting a lot of stress on your expensive skins.

Working on a trainer is HOT. Set up a fan or you'll be dripping in short order.
Working on a trainer is BORING. No two ways about it.
I use structured workouts (I got mine from the Bicycling Magazine page) which involve lots of changes of cadence and plenty of gear shifting... Helps a little.
Or, you can watch TV and practice sprinting during the commercials.

Rollers. Rollers are the traditional training device. Using rollers gives you the feel of actually riding. It also gives you the ability to crash in your own living room. Some are available with mag resistance as well.
Can't comment much as I've never used one... Somewhat balance-challenged.
 
Thanks for the info, as usual.

I saw on craigslist a Cycleops trainer for $200 kind of near me. Used 25 hours.

Is that a good deal? What do I need to look out for?
 
Get a Tacx Satori, and mount the bike she already have on that.

Its much better than those indoorcycletrainers..

Or better, Tacx I-Magic.
 
Shann said:
Thanks for the info, as usual.

I saw on craigslist a Cycleops trainer for $200 kind of near me. Used 25 hours.

Is that a good deal? What do I need to look out for?
Click to expand...

It would help if you knew which model?, how old?, etc..
 
I've owned wind trainers, mag trainers and fluid trainers. For the money the Kurt kinetic road machine is the best buy. I purchased mine at REI for under 200 bucks including tax.
 
Dudamas said:
I've owned wind trainers, mag trainers and fluid trainers. For the money the Kurt kinetic road machine is the best buy. I purchased mine at REI for under 200 bucks including tax.
Click to expand...

REALLY?!?!?! was that years ago? or did you find a special deal? The KK Road Machine is listed for $339 at rei.com (nothing from REI Outlet), but if you tell me they often have open-box specials or something, let me know!! My gf needs to get one!
 
lmcq784 said:
REALLY?!?!?! was that years ago? or did you find a special deal? The KK Road Machine is listed for $339 at rei.com (nothing from REI Outlet), but if you tell me they often have open-box specials or something, let me know!! My gf needs to get one!
Click to expand...

REI has attic sales (as long as you're a co-op member) where you can get crazy deals sometimes. Returned merchandise which cannot be sold as brand new gets sold during these events. Usually they are every couple few months depending upon that locations volume of returns. I would guess that very few people return trainers though.
 
If you are a serious cyclist, you may find that the stand-alone trainers only approximate your actual riding position. Few of these machines are as adjustable as is an actual bicycle, and fit is vastly important regarding not only efficiency but injury prevention.
It may be better both from the standpoint of cost and also health to use a trainer with the existing bicycle. (provided, of course, that the bike is fitted properly...)
 
dttomcat said:
REI has attic sales (as long as you're a co-op member) where you can get crazy deals sometimes. Returned merchandise which cannot be sold as brand new gets sold during these events. Usually they are every couple few months depending upon that locations volume of returns. I would guess that very few people return trainers though.
Click to expand...

Hmm.. I'll have to watch out for one of those then! Would I have to stop by and ask? or is it a flyer-advertisement kinda thing? I'm a co-op member, but never went to an "attic sale"... but yeah, chances of seeing a KK Road Machine has to be pretty slim, huh?
 
I ended up getting my wife a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine for Christmas. It was a heck of a lot more than $200! It was more like $350. Once the In-laws are gone back to Florida and the Boy is back to college, we are setting it up in our spare bedroom\wife's craft room where she will be able to set it up in front of a tv with dvd player.

I got myself a Schwinn 230 recumbent bike off Craig's list for $150. The updated but basically the same model is $450 at Dick's right now. It looks and feels brand new.

After New Years, no excuses! I now could have a small gym at my house. If only I'd use it.
 
Like other posters, I have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. I have used it with road bikes and mtn. bikes with slicks. The trainer works great - very smooth and stable. I got mine a my local bike shop (for $300+) and see that it is currently available at REI for $339 and available for less on eBay. You'll also want to get a riser ring/base for the front wheel for stability and to adjust level. Good luck and enjoy.
 
Gee.... That Kinetic looks almost exactly like my Nashbar-rebranded Minoura.... At about 3 times the price. ( mine was under 99 bucks.)
 
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