Indoor Trainers- suggestions anyone?

[extra-vert]

Please - calling all those who have done the homework already.

I'm noticing several brands, minoura, cyclops (something like that) -varying features. Don't really have a lot of time to research. Don't want to spend oodles of dough, but I just want something to train on when I can't make it outdoors for a ride. May want to ride to a training DVD or not. :confused:

[CycleTherapy]

check out this website...... Like you I queried the TE gals and got great input concerning the 1UP USA trainer. I have been totally satisified with the product.
http://1upusa.com/

[WrensMom]

Based on reviews I read here and on other forums, I just bought a 1up trainer yesterday (it's shipping--I don't have it yet). They seem really nice, from everything people have said about them. If you decide you want one, act soon, because it says on their website that they are raising the price by $50 next month (something about aluminum prices going up).

[chickwhorips]

have a 1up trainer. really like it. haven't had any problems with it.

[extra-vert]

Thanks girls! And thanks for the price increase warning - very helpful.

[velogirl]

The first year of our race team a bunch of the girls bought the 1-Up trainers because they were cheap (and the price was going up $50 if I recall). Racers give their trainers a lot of abuse (throwing them in the car, using them at races in the dirt, etc). By the end of the first season, all the 1-Ups had fallen to pieces. I wouldn't recommend them. I'm a CycleOps girl myself.

[extra-vert]

Cool, thanks velogirl.

[songlady]

I have a cyclops fluid 2, so far so good. This winter will be its first big test.

[kaian]

I use a rim drive trainer. I didn't want to have to worry about going through rear tires, so I got a Minoura rim drive. I've had great luck with it. It's not too loud and provides A LOT of resistance if you want it to. I had a cyclops wind jammer in the past and it was so noisey, plus it wore down my rear tire to much.

[WrensMom]

ORIGINAL: velogirl
By the end of the first season, all the 1-Ups had fallen to pieces.
Hmm, I thought I read on the 1up site that they have a lifetime warranty about things breaking on them? Did any of your friends try to get them fixed/replaced, and if so, how was the customer service?

[pooks]

newbie question here -- why would you take a trainer to a race?

[oxysback]

Hi Pooks...I'm new to the board (as of today!)

They take trainers to races to warm up before the race, I believe :)

[pooks]

Welcome to the board, and thanks for the answer!

[velogirl]

I use a rim drive trainer. I didn't want to have to worry about going through rear tires, so I got a Minoura rim drive. I've had great luck with it. It's not too loud and provides A LOT of resistance if you want it to. I had a cyclops wind jammer in the past and it was so noisey, plus it wore down my rear tire to much.

If you use a good, hard-compound tire and tighten the resistance on the trainer enough that the rear tire doesn't slip, a trainer shouldn't really wear out the tire. The biggest mistake folks make is not tightening the drum enough. When the tire slips, not only does it get hot, but it wears down. You can hear it (squeak) and smell it (burning rubber) when it's not tight enough.

Rim units are great for mtn bikes and cyclocross bikes, though, but you can even use a traditional trainer on them. Or, you can put a slick on a second wheel and just swap that out when you're on a trainer.

A good fluid trainer isn't noisy at all, but you have to pay a premium for it.

Bottom line is, think about what you'll be using it for, how often you'll use it, and where you'll use it. I'm on the trainer 2-3 times a week even in the summer, so it's worth the investment to me to get a good trainer. If you've never used a trainer (and don't know if you'll like it), you might want to pick up a used on on craig's list or ebay. As you can imagine from the number of used trainers on the market, lots of folks purchase them and never use them.

[oxysback]

Thanks for the welcome, Pooks!

Weighing in on the trainer thing...hubby rides a recumbent trike, so he has a set of mini rollers he just puts under his rear wheel (his trike has 2 wheels in front, one in back). It also has a mount for an upright bike, but you have to take the front wheel off. I've used it in the past and it felt very shaky. I got a new trainer last year so we can ride together in the garage. It's just a cheapy one from Performance (just looked at their site and I don't see it listed). I think we paid $99...it was on sale. But since there's not a picture of it I'm not really any help, am I? LOL! Anyway, it works great for me.

[ridebikeme]

Nice to hear of the variety of trainers that people use!

I use a Cateye.. it measures watts,speed, can also measure percentage of climbing, and have used it for 13 years!! It has been very durable, and like someone else said, has been moved around quite a bit.

Minoura and CAteye are great trainers as well.. Minoura is a bit less expensive and offers several models. Cycleops is also a grea trainer, but a bit more money... depends on what you want... wind, fluid, magnetic?? All three companies stand behond their products very well... another thing to think about over time...

[veloputt]

I'm a huge fan of rollers (mine are Kreitler). You learn to balance and control the bike with your hips, not your hands. Yes, I have fallen off a couple times over the years, but it's worth it as I feel more solid on the road and know what the bike will do. It's the BEST trainer to really feel the effects of your spinning and weight shifts. I like seeing not only how fast I can go (have been up to 35mph) but also how slow (8mph). Put on great music and hammer away!

[extra-vert]

Wow, I'm happy i posted this thread, cause i didn't even know that there were such varying types - rollers, magnets etc. This is very informational. I'm especially intrigued by the roller style, and how you're forced to stay on your game using this style. It sounds like it might emulate the real thing a little bit more. Thanks everyone.
:D

[witeowl]

I'm a huge fan of rollers (mine are Kreitler). You learn to balance and control the bike with your hips, not your hands.... I like seeing not only how fast I can go (have been up to 35mph) but also how slow (8mph). Put on great music and hammer away!

Being completely clueless regarding trainers, but sopping up knowledge happily, I'll share something I read about training for cadence. The Russians teams, I think, used to train at high cadence (100) on rollers - this forced them to become really, really smooth riders even at high cadence and apparently also had the benefit of building concentration. Lose smoothness and/or concentration, and you apparently topple. I imagine you learn quickly that way! :eek:

[Bron]

Is there a summary out there of the advantages of different trainer types? If anyone has a link I'd be very grateful.
Does anyone use Tacx trainers? Wondering whether to bid on the one I saw on ebay.....

Thanks, Bron

[Bikingmomof3]

The first year of our race team a bunch of the girls bought the 1-Up trainers because they were cheap (and the price was going up $50 if I recall). Racers give their trainers a lot of abuse (throwing them in the car, using them at races in the dirt, etc). By the end of the first season, all the 1-Ups had fallen to pieces. I wouldn't recommend them. I'm a CycleOps girl myself.


I am new to the world of trainers,but want something I can work on when the weather is not cooperating here. I do not want to spend a lot and I came across a sale on a '05 CycleOps Mag Trainer. Any thoughts??