I will need to buy a trainer for the gloomy winter months. Fluid or Magnetic? I don't want to spend a ton, but I'd like get a few years out of it too. Any recommendations would be appreciated :)
Thanks!
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I will need to buy a trainer for the gloomy winter months. Fluid or Magnetic? I don't want to spend a ton, but I'd like get a few years out of it too. Any recommendations would be appreciated :)
Thanks!
After trying both, I went with the Cycleops Fluid. I thought the difference in feel between the two was significant enough to warrant the extra $$$.
I second that! We love our CycleOps Fluid!!
Third! :D
I know this is prolly out of ALL of our price ranges, but I saw this dandy at Interbike and I LOVED it!
http://www.kurtkinetic.com/
(the rock n roll model that is).
I fourth the fluid!
Thank you for asking! I have been contemplating this same question myself!
Karen in Boise
I'm a fan of rollers myself. Not much resistance, but helluva way to work on your form.
FWIW, I'm no fan of the Fluid. I tried both and preferred the Fluid, but after a bit of use one of the plastic bits on the edge started melting, separated and dumped my sister and her bike on the floor.
Needless to say I returned it. Fortunately everything was OK, but the repairs to the bike still weren't insignificant and it could have been a *very* expensive mistake.
Anne
Second the rollers.
I picked up a pair of "cheater" rollers off Craigslist with a resistance unit (Performance used to make them, but stopped for some reason). "Cheater" rollers are what I call the parabolic rollers - they have a flared end so you can't ride off them! But they are GREAT for working on your form.
Does anyone have any experience with the blackburn trakstand? It is a fluid trainer but seems to be more affordable than the fluid2. (we registered for a fluid2 for the wedding at REI, but alas, did not get it)
I bought the Blackburn Trakstand Ultra last week. I've very pleased with it...my primary need was "quiet" and it is. It cost me about $300 at the LBS...
http://bikegarage.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=529
I got mine first, and got the CycleOps Fluid, love it.
my husband got his second, and got a kurt kinetic fluid. I have never ridden his, and I don't think he's ridden mine so we don't have input there.
His was a little less expensive and looks well made. The Kurt adjusts by turning the two sides, whereas the Ops has a bolt like thing you tighten down.
The quality of both seems solid. The Ops flywheel and cooler vent is a little heavier.
Here is a quick side by side picture of them (not super quality).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/...57636b61_o.jpg
I should add that mags are cheaper yet, but the ride quality is said to be less pleasant. I like that we do not have to do anything other than change gearing for resistance.
Warped, I am. My first thought was, tall, dark, handsome, good at coaxing through a hard workout, and a graduate of massage school. Didn't know you could buy 'em, I thought we could only rent!
OH, THAT KIND OF TRAINER! :p