Indoor Trainers

[jcl531]

Started cycling a lot this summer and want to be able to continue indoors at home. Lots of cycle trainers out there and it's hard to choose when I don't know much about them. Favorites???? Thanks!

[TsPoet]

I had an expensive Kinetics that was OK. I now have an equally expensive 1up that I really like
http://www.1upusa.com/bike_trainer.html
it's simpler, lighter, more adjustable to different sizes and just works. Nothing fancy.

I have heard that rollers are better "training", but never tried them and never will because these are good enough for me and I'm a coward.

[jcl531]

Thanks!

[pll]

I have a CycleOps fluid trainer -- I've been happy with it, but I have never tried others. I think equally or more important than the trainer is getting yourself a spot where you can place the contraption. I find one hour on the trainer is much, much harder than two hours outside. Find a spot where you can 'videotize' yourself: TV, a fan, I would suggest a mat (muffles the sound and, most importantly, catches sweat).

In terms of videos, what has worked best for me are the ones from the Sufferfest (http://www.thesufferfest.com/). They are relatively cheap (my favorites are Downward Spiral and Angels), set to good music, nobody talks to you. I picked a Robbie Ventura one and there was far too much talking, an overload of information, generic techno music that I could not stand for more than 30 min. Anyway, the training videos work for me to get a structured session over watching a random movie or TV.

[maggie's sister]

I have a Lemond Revolution trainer. http://www.lemondfitness.com/product_detail/465/lemond-revolution

I like that it feels like the road, connects to my drivetrain and doesn't wear tires endlessly. It feels much, much more solid than any other trainer I've tried. It is a little bit more expensive, but well worth it.

I have a tendency to watch recorded tv shows during my winter spins. I use the commercials as intervals.

[jcl531]

Was away for a few days. Thanks for all your help!

[marni]

+1 on the fan,mat to protect the floor, towel underneath to catch the sweat.

I like to listen to podrunner.com programs which have both steady rate at set BPM and stairstep and interval sessions. Also have down loaded a couple of biking specific podcasts from motiontraxx.com along with some of their intervals and steady rate podcasts. I can grove out at any speed and play with gears and resistance as much as I want over any amount of time I feel like it.

I would be lost without my tunes to work out with and audio books for going to sleep and doing housework.

marni