trainer or stationary bike

[Munch]

I know it's just getting into summer, but I'm trying to think longterm and plan ahead. Which is better a trainer or a stationary bike?

I don't have a lot of money so I wouldn't be able to get an expensive trainer and I'm new to the sport anyways so just something to keep me spinning. Do you have to take the back wheel apart to put your bike on a trainer?

Would I get the same benefits of riding on a stationary bike?

Sorry if I seem completely clueless.

Thanks!

[rivergal]

Lol...because it's getting to be summer* I'm looking into a bike roller or trainer. I'm leaning toward a roller actually to keep my costs low for now. I've heard the parabolic ones are best to keep from going off the side.

Summer in Florida is not outdoor bike season for me because of health issues.

[Irulan]

Trainer or rollers. You can get a nice trainer used off Craig's list for not much... I paid $125 for a very nicely unused Kurt Kinetic. You shoulnd't have to take the rear wheel off, and most kinds collapse down to put away when you aren't using tem.

As for stationary bike.... I visualize the kind grandma had in the basement and that's....ick. I wouldn't' consider anything less that a spin-type bike if I was going to get one.

[ny biker]

I know it's just getting into summer, but I'm trying to think longterm and plan ahead. Which is better a trainer or a stationary bike?

I don't have a lot of money so I wouldn't be able to get an expensive trainer and I'm new to the sport anyways so just something to keep me spinning. Do you have to take the back wheel apart to put your bike on a trainer?

Would I get the same benefits of riding on a stationary bike?

Sorry if I seem completely clueless.

Thanks!

If you're talking about buying a stationary bike, I would think a trainer would cost less. If you're talking about using a stationary bike at the gym, you would generally get the same benefits.

To use a trainer, you might need to change the skewer that holds the real wheel on, because the one on your bike might not fit into the trainer. But that's easy to do without even removing the wheel -- just take out one skewer, put in the other and tighten it. You should be able to use the "trainer" skewer for outdoor rides, too.

[malkin]

Rollers!

If I can do it, (almost) anyone can!

[Munch]

Lol...because it's getting to be summer* I'm looking into a bike roller or trainer. I'm leaning toward a roller actually to keep my costs low for now. I've heard the parabolic ones are best to keep from going off the side.

Summer in Florida is not outdoor bike season for me because of health issues.

I'm confused..:confused: Were you quoting another thread or what?

[Jiffer]

I vote for trainer as well. It takes less space, for one, and while I'm not really familiar with prices, I would imagine the trainer would be cheaper. My husband has bought a couple of trainers, so he's more in the know on prices and brands and all that. I do know that the one we used to have I could put the bike on fairly easily. It was as another poster said, I took the skewer off the rear wheel to do it.

One reason I prefer the trainer is that I like to ride my own bike. I'm used to the feel of it and like the familiarity when on a trainer as well.

My husband just upgraded our trainer to a much nicer one, but while it's very nice to ride on (feels a heck of a lot more like being on a road than our old trainer), you do have to take the back wheel off to use it. I, therefore, have yet to use it except once when my husband set it up for me.

I generally avoid trainers at all costs, truth be known. I have to be pretty desperate to use one, as I by far prefer to ride outside on real roads. Riding on a trainer (just like a stationary bike) can actually be physically harder, because there is never any coasting like a real road. You're just constantly "going" . . . but not really getting anywhere! And no wind to dry your sweat.

Okay, I didn't mean to be a downer! GET A TRAINER! WOO HOO!!!! :D (One upside is you can watch TV while you ride. ;) )

[Munch]

Trainer or rollers. You can get a nice trainer used off Craig's list for not much... I paid $125 for a very nicely unused Kurt Kinetic. You shoulnd't have to take the rear wheel off, and most kinds collapse down to put away when you aren't using tem.

As for stationary bike.... I visualize the kind grandma had in the basement and that's....ick. I wouldn't' consider anything less that a spin-type bike if I was going to get one.

If your thinking of the big air fan type stationary bike, that's not what I was thinking. Those things are murder!!!!:p But I think a trainer is probably my best bet as it will take up less space.

[Munch]

I vote for trainer as well. It takes less space, for one, and while I'm not really familiar with prices, I would imagine the trainer would be cheaper. My husband has bought a couple of trainers, so he's more in the know on prices and brands and all that. I do know that the one we used to have I could put the bike on fairly easily. It was as another poster said, I took the skewer off the rear wheel to do it.

One reason I prefer the trainer is that I like to ride my own bike. I'm used to the feel of it and like the familiarity when on a trainer as well.

My husband just upgraded our trainer to a much nicer one, but while it's very nice to ride on (feels a heck of a lot more like being on a road than our old trainer), you do have to take the back wheel off to use it. I, therefore, have yet to use it except once when my husband set it up for me.

I generally avoid trainers at all costs, truth be known. I have to be pretty desperate to use one, as I by far prefer to ride outside on real roads. Riding on a trainer (just like a stationary bike) can actually be physically harder, because there is never any coasting like a real road. You're just constantly "going" . . . but not really getting anywhere! And no wind to dry your sweat.

Okay, I didn't mean to be a downer! GET A TRAINER! WOO HOO!!!! :D (One upside is you can watch TV while you ride. ;) )

how do I know which trainers require you to take the wheel off and which don't? And yes, I'm looking forward to watching tv and still training! It'll be good for rainy days as well.

[ny biker]

My husband just upgraded our trainer to a much nicer one, but while it's very nice to ride on (feels a heck of a lot more like being on a road than our old trainer), you do have to take the back wheel off to use it.

How does this work?

[M-Rad]

I vote for the trainer. A trainer much more than a stationary bike will feel like realistic road riding. Plus a trainer will force you to master your pedal stroke as well as cadence.

I have both a trainer and rollers. I find it easier to do efforts on a trainer but like Rollers b/c they teach you to ride smoothly which is important when you are in a group.

Also if you get a trainer w/ resistance, just make sure your tire is fully inflated. Trainers can be hard on a back tire causing wear and tear.

[rivergal]

I'm confused..:confused: Were you quoting another thread or what?

Munch, no just noting that I'm looking as well, not to prepare for winter, but because summers here in Florida aren't my best friend. I've thought about both trainers and rollers, and decided on rollers (CycleOps).

[Blueberry]

How does this work?

I bet it's the one reviewed here (http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/12/tidbits-initial-thoughts-on-lemond.html). Made by LeMond.

[jyyanks]

I have to be honest. As a beginner, I bought both with high hopes. The trainer was pure torture - I was bored out of my skull and just couldn't motivate myself to ride.

I then bought rollers and I was absolutely terrible - falling all over the place, banging up the basement walls and even skinning my knee in the process! I gradually got better (but not by much) and for a couple of months I used rollers as my primary exercise.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore and decided to brave the cold to ride outside. I admit it was quite miserable at first (I hate wind, rain and cold) but it felt so much more exhilerating than my boring training and difficult rollers, so I bought all this cold weather gear thinking I'd ride in the cold.

Long story short, I realized that I enjoy riding outside in decent weather so neither the trainers or the rollers are for me. I may try a spin class next winter but riding outside is the whole reason I enjoy cycling so much!

[Irulan]

how do I know which trainers require you to take the wheel off and which don't? And yes, I'm looking forward to watching tv and still training! It'll be good for rainy days as well.

They don't, except for the new one mentioned in this thread. Warning, you'll either hate it or tolerate it. Some people do dvd's with it, or listen to music or watch movies etc. I use a workout created by a trainer that gives me cadence/hr guidelines and watch stuff on netflix.

[ridebikeme]

Like many others have suggested, I too, would recommend a trainer. There are many models out there, so pay a vist to your local bike shop and they can give you all the pros and cons, price points, etc...

I think if people truly pay attention to riding on the trainer, you generally learn a lot about shifting, heart rate, power(for those that have it) and position on the bike... what is comfortable and what isn't. Most of that you do NOT learn on a spin bike.

I watch Spinervals, race DVD's anything bike related... and that helps keep me foucused and esentially my mind off what I'm doing( like not watching the clock):rolleyes:

Good luck in your search!!

[Catrin]

I would recommend a trainer, as others have. When I first started learning to ride 2.5 years ago I found an indoor trainer most useful - it really helped me figure out how to shift, and as it was in the middle of winter it helped me to speed up the learning process. The real advantage is you get to use your bike, and they generally fold up for easy storage.

I've not seen any trainers that require the rear wheel to be removed, I think this is quite uncommon. All of the trainers I've seen simply require a skewer in the rear wheel that will fit in the trainer. That is something easily changed and, frankly, I just leave my trainer skewer in my rear wheel all of the time.

Craig's List is a good way to find a used trainer, and there are different types offered by the usual companies: wind (loud but less expensive), magnetic, and fluid trainers. You can find a very brief description between magnetic and fluid trainers here (http://www.livestrong.com/article/342113-fluid-vs-magnetic-bike-trainers/). Both magnetic and fluid trainers have fans here and there have been previous discussions here on the topic. I need to get out the door or I would find a couple of the threads and post the link here.

[Owlie]

I got a magnetic trainer (a Minoura, not as expensive as other brands) from Amazon. While it can be noisy, my neighbors haven't complained. It does require a skewer swap, but that's easy. Personally, I'd rather ride outside, time and weather permitting.

[Cynedra]

I see trainers on Craigslist a lot. I have a trainer and I use it occasionally but prefer the coolness of actually riding over the trainer. Trainer is in carport - it is warm there. Right now though, I am seriously thinking about moving it inside the house for about three weeks in July.

(I'm extremely lucky, one of my neighbors was going to take the trainer to the recycle center but then offered it to me. Same way with our bike trailer. Both are worth every penny I paid for them. As the saying goes, if it's free, it's for me.)

[Jiffer]

I bet it's the one reviewed here (http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/12/tidbits-initial-thoughts-on-lemond.html). Made by LeMond.

Yep. That's the one! You is smart. ;)

[Jiffer]

how do I know which trainers require you to take the wheel off and which don't? And yes, I'm looking forward to watching tv and still training! It'll be good for rainy days as well.

I have never researched or purchased one myself, but I would imagine reading a description online or on the packaging would tell you how you put it on.

[malkin]

If you want to watch tv and actually hear it, be aware that any kind of stationary cycling can make quite a racket.

[Irulan]

My fluid trainer is pretty quiet. It's the FAN that I run to keep me cool that makes all the racket.

[Catrin]

My fluid trainer is pretty quiet. It's the FAN that I run to keep me cool that makes all the racket.

Yes, this. Gotta have that fan - or else I position my trainer close to the french doors and just open them a crack. I don't use the trainer outside of winter so it works, but the fan is better.

[Munch]

Thanks for the replies everyone. You've given me a ton of helpful information! :)

[featuretile]

I set up my Bike Friday on a Kurt Kinetic trainer. It is the only one I found that has an adapter for a small wheel. I would agree that just sitting on it and spinning would be boring. However, I have bought several DVD's from Bike O Vision. It has a silly name, but very cool video of riding down the road to music - in such places like CA Coast, Southwest, National Parks, etc. No one is yelling at you or telling you what to do like a spin class.

I just get up and do intervals on it every morning for 20 minutes before breakfast. That is supposed to speed up your metabolism for the whole day. Once you schedule something in like that as a regular thing, you just do it. If I had to think about whether I wanted to or when I wanted to do it, I probably would not do it very much. Likewise, if I thought I needed to do it for an hour. So, my trainer gets used almost eery day. It has increased my riding speed.

One thing a trainer does is wear out your rear tire faster, so it is easier if you put a spare bike on the trainer (if you have one) rather than your road bike. Then you can just continue to ride on the worn out tire. I just bought a new rear tire for my Friday to put on for the next trip, but I'll put the worn out one back on the trainer when I return.