trainers, trainers, trainers....

[sandra]

This is cheap, but would this trainer be a waste of money? It says it was Bicycling Magazines product pick. Anybody have it?

I've never used a trainer, but have considered one. Nashbar had several trainers on sale in today's email.

[smilingcat]

Hi Sandra,

I don't expect Nashbar to lie in their advertisement. So if Nashbar claim that it was picked by bicycling magazine, it must be true.

Now, I've bought things from Nashbar years and years ago, and they were cheap. Functionally, it did what it was supposed to. But it was cheap. Didn't feel like the name brand and didn't look like the name brand. Also felt like it wouldn't last as long as the name brand.

Things may have changed. But you know the old saying, "you get what you paid". I know people who only buy name brand items. Then I know people who will go out of their way to buy the cheapest no name brand.

If you are not planning to use it heavily, it will probably be okay. Whereas someone like Eden, Shefly, RoadRaven others, it might not. I for one, am using it hour at a time (hopefully two hours at a time in about 2-3 weeks from now). And I use it like 4 or 5 times a week. The magnetic unit gets hot enough to burn your finger but my Blackburn trainer has held up over the years. I don't know if Nashbar unit will withstand that kind of use.

I can't decide for you one way or another. Just my thoughts and something for you to thinnk about so you can decide on which way to gol.

sorry for not being much of a help.
smilingcat

[EBD]

I don't know about the Nashbar, but I have an even CHEAPER trainer (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4120), and it does the job. Last winter I rode on it once or twice a week for an hour at a time (I haven't gotten it out yet this winter). It is loud - but then, I've never used an expensive trainer so I don't know how much quieter they are.

When buying a trainer you also have to factor in the cost of a mat, front wheel block, terrycloth sweat catcher, and probably a new rear tire at the end of the winter. Like all trips to the bike shop, the accessories add up fast!

[Beane]

I would highly recommend a fluid or wind trainer over a mag trainer. We bought a cheap mag trainer off craigslist and while it worked, the "feeling" was so bad/unrealistic/downright not fun, that we never used it and finally sold it. This year I splurged and got a fluid trainer (Cyclops, but Kinetic and others are good too) and am much happier with it!

I suppose with Nashbar you can return it, but trainers are so heavy that the shipping costs are worth considering..

[KSH]

When buying a trainer you also have to factor in the cost of a mat, front wheel block, terrycloth sweat catcher, and probably a new rear tire at the end of the winter. Like all trips to the bike shop, the accessories add up fast!

Mat- Optional.

Front Wheel Block - cheap 2x4 from the hardware store.

Sweat Catcher- it's called a towel from your closet. Put it on the handlebars and use often.

New rear tire- That's a must. Trainers burn the life out of a tire. I bought a cheap tire and put it on the bike for trainer rides.

[snowtulip]

I have a Blackburn trainer that is very similar to the one shown, it's done fine. I manage to do spinervals fine, even Tough Love which is 3 hours on a regular basis during the winter (well, last winter, haven't done it this winter yet).

Sure it's noisy, but I just increase the volume of my music or wear headphones.

I didn't buy a front wheel holder, I just put my bike on old textbooks.

[SouthernBelle]

I have a Nashbar fluid trainer and have no complaints.

I use an old copy of the Nashville yellow pages for the front wheel. Some kind of fan blowing on you is nice too.

ETA, you can buys mats pretty cheap. I bought one at Big Lots last year that are squares that connect together. Since mine is set up on the living room carpet seemed like a good idea.

[melissam]

I had a cheap trainer from Performance that I ended up never using. My problem with the trainer was that the resistance was too high. I never felt like I could warm up, even in the lowest gears.

Edit: After following the link to the Nashbar trainer, I see that it has adjustable resistance, which is a good sign.

Last year I bought a 1upusa trainer that allows me to adjust the resistance (between my bike and the trainer.) It cost 3x as much as my old Performance trainer, but I've already used it waaaaaaay over 3x as much as I ever used my Performance trainer, so I figure I'm way ahead.

Your Mileage May Vary....

-- Melissa

[jobob]

The front wheel block on my trainer is a large roll of duct tape in a plastic bag. It's just the right height and the tire fits nicely in the hole of the tape roll.

I've been using my trainer a lot over the past week - so far I'm only up to an hour at a time though. I really love the convenience. Hopefully it'll make a difference but it's probably too early to tell yet.

[jusdooit]

Ok, I've been thinking about and looking at trainers for over a year now. Have always talked myself out of it because of the price. Plus here in good ole MS, if you don't like the weather wait a little bit it will change. But, now you've done it, the price is right. May have to take the dive.

[jusdooit]

Hey Sandra did you check out their fluid for just a little more $. I've heard (and read here) that fluids are much quieter. Also see the rim driver style.
Hummmmmm

edit note to EDB, Nashbar has the Ascent even cheaper right now.

[sandra]

Cindy, you are right. Our weather is great, but our days are short. How's your hand? Are you back to riding now? If you get the trainer, please report in!

[sandra]

yes, I saw that one too. It looks like great deals on all of them. One of them was $100 savings!

[sandra]

I need to move to Jackson, then I can go to the "trainer rides" at Probike!

[jusdooit]

My hand is much better! I'm wearing one of those funky burn gloves now. I got cleared to ride again back in Nov., but then I got and my mother passed away the Mon. after Thanksgiving. I spent the month of Dec. packing her things and vacating her apartment. I've had a hard time even feeling like riding.

I'm going to print out the info on both the Mag trainer and the Fluids one and take it to a guy at Indian Cycle I've talked to about trainers for an opinion. I don't have the daylight problem because I have great work hours. But I ride out at the rez on the Trace and sometimes the wind is really wicked.

Let me know if you make a purchase. I'll let you know what kind of opinions I can drum up from the LBS guys here too.

Cindy