What trainer should I get?

**homerjay** · 10-05-2005, 06:01 PM

I need a trainer, as weather/daylight is starting to reduce riding.

Mag or fluid?
Brand?

I don't think I can do rollers, but if there's a compelling reason to get them, feel free to add.

**CantDog** · 10-05-2005, 06:05 PM

Rollers are a lot more interesting to ride, I can go for 2 hours on rollers, longer if there is a movie on, but I have a hardtime going for 45 minutes on a trainer.

If you get a trainer, I'd go with one with a flywheel that ramps up resistance as you pedal harder, better for interval training. I never liked the mag trainers because I always had a hard time adjusting the resistance.

You could pick up a trainer on craigslist, and buy some rollers, or vice versa.

1-up trainers are super nice, snowslider has one and its HOT.

**Telephil** · 10-05-2005, 06:42 PM

If you're sold on a trainer, get a fluid. They're much quieter. If it were me though, I would be getting rollers for sure, for the exact reason CantDog mentioned, my trainer bores me to DEATH. I just bought rollers yesterday, expecting them by saturday.

**CantDog** · 10-05-2005, 06:50 PM

You can get rollers with a fan attachment to up the resistance for interval training. Except you definately pay for getting a kreitler.

telephil, what kind of rollers did you decide on?

And this spring I'm going to find a road race out in UT to come race.

**InspectorGadget** · 10-05-2005, 11:15 PM

As mentioned above, if you're buying a trainer, get a fluid. I bought a CycleOps. Rollers are a great workout and you have to be smoove or you fall down.

**snow_slider** · 10-06-2005, 06:47 AM

I'd say the first tier of bike trainers consist of:
Kurt Kinetic and 1-up USA (I have this one as cant mentioned earlier and I love it)
Next would be the CycleOps fluid model.

Rollers are probably a better investment if you plan to put down some serious milage over the winter, but I chose a trainer as I can jack up the resistance and get a good, short workout in.

**Cornholio** · 10-06-2005, 07:15 AM

I got the cheapest fluid trainer I could find, and it's been great. Want to do more work? Shift up.

Rollers, while more fun to ride, don't allow a really high effort workout, even with a fan like the Killer Headwind. They're good for long steady rides. Just depends on the kind of workout you're looking for.

**Telephil** · 10-06-2005, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by CantDog

You can get rollers with a fan attachment to up the resistance for interval training. Except you definately pay for getting a kreitler.

telephil, what kind of rollers did you decide on?

And this spring I'm going to find a road race out in UT to come race.

I got the Kreitler Dyno-lyte's. I talked to the people at Kreitler, they said that offers about 30% more resistance than the challengers, that's about what I'm looking for. Psyched to get them. HJ, if you are looking for interval training, the Kreitler Dyno-myte's offer 50% more resistance than regular rollers. If you were to get those and the headwind unit, you would be hurting. I just plan to log a lot of base miles on mine over the winter.

CantDog, any idea exactly what time frame or which race? I can fill you in on the good ones if you know, and my house is open to all roadies if you're looking for a place to crash.

**CantDog** · 10-06-2005, 08:24 AM

When does your road season kick off? I'll probably be out there in the beginning of march, but that would probably be too early. I'm focusing on getting through cross season right now...

**peterslovo** · 10-06-2005, 08:26 AM

I recently got the Elite Fluid Primo Elastogel trainer from Pricepoint for $179 and have been very happy with it. Smooth and very quiet. So far, so good. Rollers are more fun though, me thinks.

**Telephil** · 10-06-2005, 09:03 AM

There are a couple races early April, but IMO the real season doesn't start until the 3rd weekend in April. There's a stage race in Southern Utah that's pretty fun.

**homerjay** · 10-06-2005, 09:08 AM

Rollers seem to be comparatively pricier than a trainer...any issues with using a trainer on carpet? I think I won't mind sitting there for a long time watching DVDs.

thanks all.

**Tap** · 10-06-2005, 09:17 AM

yes rollers are fun and great training but if you want to let your mind drift and just get some cardio spinning in, a trainer is wayyy easier. just hop on, spin, change the channel, get some water, stretch your back, scratch your head, and hop off. Sure you can do those things on a roller but it's a balancing act w/ crappy consequences.

rollers definately help with balance, spin, cadence, etc.....but keep your eyes on teh prize or you'll get tossed. Truth be told, they aren't really that difficult to learn to use.

i have both, as well as weights in the garage, and tend to use the trainer b/c the transition b/t it and the weights is easier than rollers

**Cornholio** · 10-06-2005, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by homerjay

any issues with using a trainer on carpet?

As long as it doesn't leak... trainers used to do this all the time, but it hasn't been a problem recently. I still put a towel under the flywheel.

**Frozone** · 10-06-2005, 10:25 AM

Training indoors generally sucks so my trainer doesn't get much use. Consensus seems to be towards fluid but I have a Cyclops Magneto which has been great. It's not fluid but has progressive resistence magnetic like their fluid trainers, not noisy and much cheaper. If money's not an issue the 1-ups appear to be great and I guess they're about the same price as the top of the line Cyclops fluid.

I'd throw a piece of old carpet or towel under the flywheel and get and use an old tire because the flywheel will wear them out faster than the road.

Rollers would be cool if I actually liked riding indoors.

**snow_slider** · 10-06-2005, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by homerjay

...any issues with using a trainer on carpet?

I wouldn't for two reasons:
1. You need a stable base and carpet has too much give. You might end up putting too much of a lateral stress load on your rear axle.
2. After long rides I tend to find tiny chunks of rubber on the floor behind my rear wheel. I guess the rubber gets really hot and kind of melts a bit then shreds up. It's like a really fine black baby powder. My trainer is on a vinyl floor, so it's easy to clean up, but on a carpet it might make a real mess.

**SkiingBear** · 10-06-2005, 12:14 PM

I'd recommend this one:

CycleOps Pro300 PT
pricey...yes, but worth every dollar. It has all the functions you could possibly want (power, cadence, adjustability, etc), plus you won't be wearing out tires or putting any additional strain on your bike.

I've got the CylceOps Fluid2. I'm kinda looking forward to getting on it more this winter, now that I have a spare room that I can dedicate to leaving it set up.

**Telephil** · 10-06-2005, 12:23 PM

Hell no, if you're gonna get an exercise bike, at least get something like this.

**powderdave** · 10-06-2005, 12:38 PM

12 oz curls seem to work well, really develop the body.

Just kidding, I also own and recommend the CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer. You can find them under $200 on eBay.

My sis tells me real cyclists train on rollers (cuz she is way CORE). So, as I am not a real cyclist, take this with a grain of salt.

Cheers.

P.S. An added benefit of training on a fixed trainer is you can drink beer without worrying about falling over.

**chaka** · 10-06-2005, 04:44 PM

agree with a few others here, rollers are way more interesting. And, if you prop something against the rear roller to rub against it (get creative) you can build some more resistance if you want it.

I personally am afraid of rollers now. I used to use them a bit. One day, I was particularly tired, but still trying to get some time in, fell into a kind of trance, next thing I know, I'm crumped on the floor bleeding from a few places, and there is a bike handlebar punched through my drywall. Nice.

**CantDog** · 10-06-2005, 04:49 PM

Okay, so maybe I'm missing something here, but whats with all these roller horror stories? If i slip off, my front wheel lands off the side and my back wheel always stays on, and I simply unclip and put a foot down. I've never run through a wall(good thing, mine is setup in front of a window). What are you guys doing that makes you fly forward? I'm much more likely to fall over long before the bike takes off, and if you do tip over, its still between your legs.

Riding rollers isnt hard, first time takes some balance, but thats about it. Use something to support yourself when you get on, and you're fine. Dont stare at your front wheel... Hell, to make things more interesting I'll swerve around on the rollers just to mix it up a bit.

I have always been tempted to bunny hop off the rollers to see what happens though...

**chaka** · 10-06-2005, 04:56 PM

I dunno CantDog, maybe I was particularily unlucky. Plus, I was running with knobbies so maybe the insta-traction had something to do with it. I think I kinda did what you described, fell off to the side, but with my rear wheel hitting first, and I was only a couple feet from the wall (to my side) so the whole bike just rocketed, at a falling angle, into the wall.

**Evil E** · 10-07-2005, 12:29 PM

**InspectorGadget** · 10-07-2005, 02:28 PM

Not Kreitlers, but cheap enough you can buy a fluid trainer too.

Either way, put a drop-cloth under your bike to catch the clag (rubber bits), chain lube and sweat that gets flung off while riding.

**homerjay** · 10-07-2005, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by InspectorGadget

Not Kreitlers, but cheap enough you can buy a fluid trainer too.

Either way, put a drop-cloth under your bike to catch the clag (rubber bits), chain lube and sweat that gets flung off while riding.

Whoa, are those decent?

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