What trainer do you use?

[Urlea]

Well it's the time of year to get a trainer. Especially for those of us up north that already have snow on the ground!

I'm looking forward to continuing biking! Even if it is in a gerbil sense.

I've heard good things about fluid trainers, but I would like to hear your opinions and suggestions on what to get.

Thanks!

[indysteel]

I have a Cyclops Fluid 2 trainer. Whether I use it or not is a different story.

I tried the Cycleops Fluid and Mag trainers out side-by-side and there was an appreciable difference between the two.

[arielmoon]

I have a acquired a set of rollers and I will be giving back the borrowed trainer that I have. Rollers are much more to my liking!

[Pedal Wench]

I just started really using my Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll Fluid trainer. I like it -- I feel the little bit of side motion helps me work the little core stabilizing muscles.

[Bluetree]

I just started really using my Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll Fluid trainer. I like it -- I feel the little bit of side motion helps me work the little core stabilizing muscles.

^^^

I have that one as well and really like it. The only problem is that it's soooo dang heavy to cart around when I want to use it as a warm-up.

I don't know if I will keep it. It takes up so much space (wide arms) and with Calfiornia weather, I'm never really forced to use it.

[GraysonKelly]

I got the Cycle Ops Mag. I had a small issue initially with setting it up, but figured it out. I love it. I'm not an expert but the price was right (from amazon.com) and it works just fine. Only had a couple of weeks though.
Good luck finding one,
Gray

[aicabsolut]

I have a CycleOps Fluid2. It's ok. It's much better than the Performance brand fluid trainer a couple of my friends have. At least it's easier to use and it's not quite as harsh on tires (still not kind, though). I kind of prefer using a spin bike when I'm not going anywhere, but I needed the trainer for warming up at races, so I got one.

[smilingcat]

Mine is about a 15 year old Blackburn mag trainer. There was a dry spell of about 6 years or so. The drag is hard to adjust so its more or less stuck at one load.

If you want a more realistic resistance go with a fluid trainer. One downside is, I've heard one person whose fluid unit leaked. Other than that, I think its a lot better than a mag unit.

Roller is good too because you have to maintain your balance. Downside is you can't ride hands free.

I've heard lots and lots of good thing about Cyclops fluid trainer. I haven't heard anyone who hates it.

[jesvetmed]

I also have the Cycle Ops Fluid 2. I do love it. It is MUCH better than my previous trainer (cannot remember name). It has provided a good amt of resistance compared to my last one so I can get a great workout indoors (actually better than many of my outdoor workouts!).

[Pedal Wench]

^^^

I have that one as well and really like it. The only problem is that it's soooo dang heavy to cart around when I want to use it as a warm-up.

I don't know if I will keep it. It takes up so much space (wide arms) and with Calfiornia weather, I'm never really forced to use it.

Oh -- impossible to cart around. I have regular cycle-ops fluids to take to our trainer classes. (REI rules!)

[breezy]

I have a Minoura VFS-G trainer. It is really quite and small and relatively light.

http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126175286

[Urlea]

Thanks for all of the responses, you guys are great!

I did some searching yesterday and found a Cycle Ops Fluid2 on sale for $350 with free S&H, mat, front tire block thing & cadence sensor. I'm guessing that's probably what we will do.

It still seems expensive to me, but I'm trying to realize it's a treadmill for my bike and that explains the cost. Can't help but think of how that money could go towards my own Garmin or 1/2 of a new snowboard deck though. Oh well, tri gear comes first.

[aicabsolut]

Yeah, it's expensive, but CycleOps takes care of you. If the fluid unit leaks (shouldn't happen on newer models, but sometimes you get a dud), they will replace it for free. In general, their warranties are good. They also have an upgrade program where you can upgrade an older CycleOps trainer with a newer (or better tier) resistance unit for less than buying a whole new trainer.

I have the mat (also got it for free), and it's great for keeping my floor in decent shape. I didn't get the sweat thing because I thought I wouldn't need it, but I think it would be great to have something like that to hold my remotes.

[MauiRockHopper]

Bought a Sportcrafter Aluminum Roller on Ebay for $190 and it got here fully assembled in a few days, amazing for Hawaii. I love this roller although I can't ride it away from a wall or counter top yet. Yeah, it's hard to balance on it but you get the hang of it after 20 minutes. It has taught me so much about steering, balance, and pedal stroke. I really notice the difference on the road and downhills.

I can pedal on it for long periods of time with both hands on my bike, but when I stop I like to have a wall or countertop next to me so I don't have to unclip every time I want to take a break. I keep my water and tv remote control on the counter top too. We did not buy the wind machine which is an extra $100. It has more than enough resistance and I think you'd sweat buckets anyhow even with the wind machine. The floor and my clothes are dripping with sweat after.

This roller is endorsed by Lance Armstrong.

[sundial]

CycleOps fluid trainer