Trainers

[ZenSojourner]

If you are using a trainer . . .

What trainer are you using, and why do you (or don't you) like it?

Also, has anybody used the cyclo-core DVD sets to augment your training, and how did it work for you?

Thinking of breaking down and getting a trainer . . ..

[smilingcat]

I have a mag trainer. I use it. but its boring and exhausting.

Some will tell you to use a used or crummy bike cause its hard on the frame. I don't take a chance with my good bike so I have a beater on the trainer just in case it is hard on the bike.

I don't use DVD or anything like that to zone out. Maybe that's the problem.

smilingcat

[VeloVT]

I have a Kurt Kinetic "road machine." It's a fluid trainer.

Likes:
-super stable
-super smooth, acceleration feels a lot like the road
-pretty quiet, relatively speaking

Dislikes:
-ugh, the trainer is so boring!
-this is inconsequential, but the skewer supplied with the trainer is quite long, and my small carbon bike has narrow dropouts -- it's a major hassle to get it tightened down. (I know this is hard to believe, since I *think* road bikes have a standard dropout width, but compared side to side, my bike's skewer is at least 1.5 - 2" shorter, maybe more, than the trainer skewer. Maybe to accomodate mountain bikes?).

In spite of the annoying skewer, though, I would definitely recommend this model.

[Thorn]

Kurt Kinetic--two of them so that DH and I can ride at the same time. During those long, boring northern winters it helps with the motivation if both of us can ride at the same time. Stable, relatively quiet and a nice, solid feel. No real complaints. Put on a DVD and go.

I've only used one or two of the freely available Cyclocore videos. I personally find Graham to be a bit obnoxious and can't tolerate him. Peoples opinion I respect, though, say its good.

Like many on TE, I'm a Spinervals junkie--TE got me addicted. Evil Coach Troy is tolerable, although I do find that when doing the long aero workouts that putting ECT on low volume and hooking up Netflix on-demand keeps me going longer (finally did the Hard Core 100 start to finish!!!)

[TxDoc]

I tend to use the rollers more than the trainer - anyway my trainer is a RavX TX4, and I love it. It is quieter compared to the cycleops and blackburns, folds up so you can put in away easily, and takes like 5 seconds to set up. I have never used DVD's or anything, just plan my own training for the day and stick to it.

[ASammy1]

I have the CycleOps Mag +. I'm not in love with it, because I just don't like to use a trainer (get bored easily).

Other than that, it's a great trainer for those that like trainers. It's a bit loud, but that's not a big deal to me.

[roadie gal]

I have the Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer, too. I agree with what everyone else has said. It's quiet and stable. Apparently they also have very good customer service if there is a problem.

My only complaint (and it's really my problem more than the trainer's) is that there isn't a tension adjustment on the trainer. With my old one I had it set so I could match Coach Troy's gearing. The Kurt is a bit harder than my dialed-down old one, so I have to down-gear from what Coach Troy suggests. It makes me feel like a weenie. :o

[Norse]

CycleOps Fluid trainer. Love it - good road simulation and it is very quiet. Also, excellent customer service.

I don't have any cyclo-core dvd's. A couple of CTS (Carmichael's) videos, which are pretty good, and a stable of the evil Coach Troy, which I love to hate and a couple of Bike-O-Visions with pretty CA scenery - I usually listen to my MP3 when using those.

I have never noticed any problem with my bike frame taking any abuse on the trainer, but I do have a rear wheel set-up that allows me to just change wheel instead of having to put on a beat-up slick every time I want to use it. I bought a used wheel that has the same rear cassette as my road bike, put a crappy old slick tire on it, and I just put that wheel on when the bike is on the trainer, sparing my lovely Conti Grand Prixs from the trainer and saving me the effort of swapping out tires every time.

[fidlfreek]

+1 for the CycleOps Fluid 2. Plus, you can get one off ebay (new, with a full warranty) for a little over $200.

http://www.thesufferfest.com/ has awesome real riding videos that put you in a crit or road race and then give you awesome instructions about accelerating, heart rate zone, etc.

Oh, and its free! And there are great links to other spinning resources (like audio podcasts of fast trance music etc)

[ZenSojourner]

I don't know what to think about the training tapes, I've typically never done that well with exercise videos and the like. Except for the original Buns of Steel tape, the rest of them looked more like dance choreography and even with the remote to stop and rewind I could never keep up with any of that. So I'm not sure how I would do with a BIKE exercise video, LOL!

Georgena Terry absolutely swears by the cyclo-core stuff but that's all I know about it.

I never thought I'd get a trainer, but I'm in a position where I really can't get out to ride much and I'm going to hell in a handbasket as a result. Maybe a trainer would help.

[wildeny]

I just bought CycleOps Fluid2 in April. I only tried it three times for now. It's true that riding on a trainer is quite boring, but this can help me in checking my riding position & pedaling etc and in trying some interval intensity training. Besides, it would be helpful during the raining season (coming soon).

[Crankin]

I've had the Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer for 3 years. It's a trainer, what can I say? It's pretty quiet, though.
I also have the Cyclo-Core program. I bought it 3 years ago, when my husband dropped his gym membership, so we decided to do it together in the winter, even though I still went to spin class. I found the weight training stuff very difficult and I am not in bad shape.I bought the intermediate level program. We lowered the weight levels to do it. The core stuff and yoga is challenging, but good. I use it all of the time, still, for when i don't want to go to the gym. What I didn't realize was the cycling part is NOT on the DVDs. It's just a written program of drills, etc. you follow. There is one yoga/spin class on DVD, but that's it. So, if you are looking for visual stimulation, this is not the program for you, unless it has changed.

[RolliePollie]

I have a magnetic trainer.

What I like about it:

*It's a perfectly good trainer
*My old bike looks nice sitting on it

What I don't like about it:

*It's boring as heck
*It creates a time warp (i.e. time stands still)
*For some reason it rarely gets used

I think all the dislikes are my problem and not the trainer's. Where do you live? I'd give you a great deal if you want to buy mine. Shipping would cost a ton though.

[ZenSojourner]

Well I'd have to pay shipping anyway. But I'm clear across the country, in WV, LOL!

[woohoo]

I have a Cycleops Fluid 2 and it's great. Not ultra quiet but pretty good, and it has a nice road feel to it - it gets harder as you go faster. Have used it for ~60 sessions in the last 3 months and enjoyed every minute of it (in a kind of tough but good way!) I don't use any DVDs, instead I have my mp3 on and use a list of workout programmes from 'Workouts in a Binder for Indoor Cyclists'. It's tough going but interesting enough to keep you coming back to the trainer for more when it's not sunny enough to get outside.

L ; )