Cycleops Fluid 2 Purchase

[hibiscus09]

Okie dokie -- I realized this week -- now that I'm back home from vacation and busy again -- that in order to get my three weekday rides in, I may have to resort to a trainer at times. I'll do my longer rides on Saturdays and Sundays out on the road. There's nowhere nearby to ride safely and I just don't have time to go over to the Fort each day to ride.

So, I bought a Cycleops 2 fluid trainer today. Sure hope I have everything put together correctly!

I sat on my bike in the trainer tonight to see how it felt and I did notice the resistance seems to be tighter than it would be at the same gear on the road. Is that normal? Now granted, I was too lazy to change into my cycling gear and had on 3" platform wedges -- that may have been the difference. I did make sure that the trainer was not too tight up against the rear tire.

Anyway, do any of you own the Cycleops 2 and is the resistance a little tighter than on the actual road? I believe the resistance gets more difficult the faster I pedal, but I've yet to try it out for a period of time to see if that's the case.

The only other thing that I noticed is that if I rock my bike back and forth sideways there is a little wobbling -- however, when I was actually on the bike it felt pretty stable. I guess I'm already worrying about have a crash in my garage/gym.

Any comments, advice, crash from the trainer stories?

I'm going to give it a go tomorrow and see if I live.

[makbike]

I picked up a used cycleops fluid 2 trainer in November. Here are a couple of observations/reflections I have from pedaling for endless hours and going absolutely nowhere from Nov-April. First, it is boring so pick out some good music, tune in your favorite TV program, pop a movie in the DVD or enjoy a book to help pass the time. Second, put a junk tire on your rear wheel for the trainer with time will chew up your good one. Third, the resistance always seemed a bit more on the trainer than it actually is on the road but it will make your stronger. Finally, good things come from using a trainer so enjoy the results. Not sure if any of this is helpful but I hope it is.

makbike

[hibiscus09]

Thanks so much for your input, makbike!

I took my son to have all 4 wisdom teeth removed this morning (he's 16), so there was definitely no bike riding earlier today.

I did finally make it out onto my trainer for 47 minutes this afternoon. I definitely think the trainer seems a bit more difficult. My dang iPod was dead, so I hauled out my Bose stereo system to the garage where our home gym happens to be. I cycled to Marvin Gaye. I knew I couldn't keep going nowhere without at least some music. I now know I definitely have to buy a standing fan! I sweated like I never have before.

I have another question. I need a simple rear wheel cyclocomputer. I'd just like to know distance and average speed. Any suggestions? I have a Sigma cyclocomputer on the front wheel, but of course that's not turning when I'm using the trainer.

Thanks!

[makbike]

I'm using an old Cateye computer that I purchased with the bike back in 1986 so unfortunately I can't help with this one. Have you checked with your LBS to see what they have in stock?

[hibiscus09]

Thanks! I did and they didn't have a rear wheel cyclocomputer in stock. They said they could order a Cateye. I may just end up letting them do that. I suppose I could check e-bay, but I wasn't sure which models work from the rear wheel or what I would need to use with the trainer. I'm not very bright about my new trainer.

[melissam]

Hibiscus,

The Cat Eye Astrale 8 has a rear wheel sensor and is on sale at Performance for $34.99. It also does cadence, which could be handy for your sessions on the trainer.

I bought a cheapie wireless for $25 from Performance -- the db4lw. No cadence, but I wonder if it would work for your purposes. The computer has to be 60 cm from the sensor/transmitter. Not sure if that would work, or if it would be blocked while you're riding.

Hope your training is going well!

-- Melissa

[hibiscus09]

Thanks a lot, Melissa! I'll research both of those. I really appreciate the advice. I am trying to learn more about cycling and golf ( ). I've always been a weightlifting fanatic, so if any of you guys ever have any questions about bodybuilding or bodybuilding nutrition, I'll be glad to try to help.

[spazzdog]

I use a Wintech wireless from mavic. They make a separate attachment ($50 I think) for using it on a trainer.

Wintech is a little pricier but it has cadense and the other roadie stuff.

I also run a Polor wireless HRM while I'm riding.

spazz

[hibiscus09]

Thanks, spazzdog! I do have the Polar heartrate monitor and I was thinking I should use it on the trainer, but the thought came to me about halfway through my first ride. Next time, I'll remember to put it on.

I'll check out the Wintech.