Noisy Trainers?

Hi all,

This is my first post and I'd really appreciate your advice. How noisy are indoor trainers? I'm considering buying a Kurt Kinetic trainer (probably a road machine) for the winter, but I'm worried that it'll be far too noisy to use in my 12th floor apartment. Does anyone have thoughts on this?

My lease is up in two months and I'm thinking about moving into a ground-floor condo. As silly as it may be, the potential to use a trainer in my current apartment may weigh heavily on whether I make the leap and move.

Thanks!
Kim

I have a CycleOps fluid trainer and it's whisper quiet.

I've read that fluid trainers are the quiet ones.

It depends on what you get. My husband's team does indoor group training sessions in the winter and he brought an older one (I think it was a hand me down) in and was told that it was too noisy and he couldn't come back with it. He got a new one and hasn't had any complaints.

We have a fluid trainer, and while I would by no means describe it as whisper quiet, I would not think twice about using it in close living quarters. The biggest risk is actually me turning the TV up loud enough to hear it over the trainer- I would think that would earn more complaints, but you could use earbuds under noise-blocking headphones, which my DH does. Not totally comfortable to me, but he has adapted well.

Thanks for your advice! I appreciate it.

Got a Kurt Kinetic as well, and yes, the TV is usually much louder than the trainer!!
And don't forget to put a cheap tire on your back wheel, it is not a myth, tires do melt on a trainer! (I actually bought a "special" tire (around $20), it lasted 3/4 of the indoor season)

Seg.

Speaking of trainers, I really want to get one for winter too! But I don't want to spend much money...definitely no more than $200, and preferrably less! Is there anything in particular I should be looking for or looking to avoid? Nashbar has quite a few for under $150, but I don't know if they're good or if they're junk. Does anyone have any advice for me?

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Originally Posted by sundial

I have a CycleOps fluid trainer and it's whisper quiet.

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That's what I have...really like it.


About the rear tire: Do you have a whole separate rear wheel to swap out...or do you actually change your tire every time you want to take the bike out of the trainer onto the road?

I dream of having two bikes...rain and good...but it isn't a reality yet!

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Originally Posted by sara

Speaking of trainers, I really want to get one for winter too! But I don't want to spend much money...definitely no more than $200, and preferrably less! Is there anything in particular I should be looking for or looking to avoid? Nashbar has quite a few for under $150, but I don't know if they're good or if they're junk. Does anyone have any advice for me?

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I bought a Nashbar trainer last year and used it all winter with no complaint. But I can't compare it to the brand names cause I never had one.

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Originally Posted by Starfish

That's what I have...really like it.


About the rear tire: Do you have a whole separate rear wheel to swap out...or do you actually change your tire every time you want to take the bike out of the trainer onto the road?

I dream of having two bikes...rain and good...but it isn't a reality yet!

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I use my cyclocross most of the winter ( I do have two set of wheels for it, road and cross). My road bike usually stays on the trainer during the winter. If the weather is really nice and dry, I occasionnally switch tires (and believe me, you get REALLY fast at it !!!!

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Originally Posted by segolene

I I occasionnally switch tires (and believe me, you get REALLY fast at it !!!!

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I guess without an actual flat to fix...not having to find the hole, switch tubes, etc, it would get faster!

I have a CycleOps Fluid Squared and it is quiet. I waited for the LBS's 25% off sale. You can do the same with REI (they run 20R% or 25% off sales a couple times a year).

I switch out the back tire and I haven't gotten fast. It is a pain in the a$$. However, when I found out the cost of getting a separate wheel, I decided I'd rather wrestle with changing the tire.

sara - stay away from wind trainers (unless you are always going to ride in a garage) - these sound like you have a motor bike in your house. Magnetic trainers and Fluid trainers are both quiet - fluid more so than magnetic. Mag trainers are a nice introductory model - especially if you are unsure if you are going to stick with the indoor riding season.