trainer

[runner2]

Hi ladies,
Please help me out here, I am looking for a trainer before my Performance membership expire.
What's the main thing in a trainer? I am totally new about this, is it really hurts the tire?
Please help!

Kate

[caligurl]

the cyclops is a good one... quiet.... great reviews!

we both have extra wheels with old tires on them that we use when we use the trainer.... that way you don't tear up the good tires....

[madisongrrl]

I have a cycleops magneto and it's great. But what kind of trainer do you want? rollers, fluid, magnetic etc

[mtbdarby]

Renee,
Can you get the Cyclops any cheaper in Madtown than on the net since they're made down there? Let me know. I've also been eyeing up trainers for the winter, leaning toward a fluid one if anyone has any ideas.

[runner2]

I have a cycleops magneto and it's great. But what kind of trainer do you want? rollers, fluid, magnetic etc

Hi Renee,
What's the difference between fluid and magnetic?
How about the remote? Is it necessary?

Kate

[madisongrrl]

Hi Renee,
What's the difference between fluid and magnetic?
How about the remote? Is it necessary?

Kate

Perhaps someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but fluid trainers will match your power output exponentially, while magnetic trainers are more linear. I have the Cyclops magneto which is supposed to be the only magnetic trainer that has progressive resistance.

Here is the cyclops website...
http://www.cycleops.com/products/magneto.htm

I personally don't think a remote is necessary, but it you have the cash and you want one, then go for it.

My trainer set up:
I have a cycleops training mat, riser block, magneto trainer, sweat net (it catches your sweat which can be corrosive to your bike), fan, stereo, tv that is hooked up to cable and has a DVD player (I like watching interval videos and also various DVD's of my favorite bands), rear wheel computer (so I know how many miles I'm cranking out) and I usually wear a heart rate monitor (especially during intervals). I also have a special "trainer wheel" that I use. It's just an old wheel that has an old tire on it and has the Cycleops skewer on it. It allows me to quickly change my trainer wheel out for my regular wheel....but it's not necessary...it's just nice to have. You can just throw on an old tire to keep things cheap and simple. More importantly, I have funky blue indoor lights in my basement...for some reason, I really like the atmosphere that they create and I find myself on my trainer more because of it...very strange, I know. But when it's winter and your stuck with indoor riding, then you need to gain any psychological advantage that you can.

[madisongrrl]

Renee,
Can you get the Cyclops any cheaper in Madtown than on the net since they're made down there? Let me know. I've also been eyeing up trainers for the winter, leaning toward a fluid one if anyone has any ideas.

Hey Dar,

Erik's Bike Shop, in Madison, has Cycleops trainers listed at the following prices:

Mag Trainer 179.99
Magneto 229.99
Fluid 2 299.99

Doesn't sound like much of a deal....

I'm heading over to Erik's this weekend to test drive the bike I want to buy. I can't wait!

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12789

[caligurl]

performance has the fluid 2 on sale a lot of times for 239.... even better if you can find a 20% coupon online!

(hubby and i both have fluid 2's)

i like the idea of the blue lights! wonder how that would be for "regular" (non-bike) workouts, too????

[runner2]

THANKS for all the great information, I used to do more trail running in the cold weather, feel sorry for my bike and me , I am going to give the trainer a try. Renee, I wish I have more space in my apt. to set up a TV or DVD, I guess I will start with some music for the begining.

THANKS.....

[Selkie]

Nashbar has the Magneto trainer on sale ($199) so I ordered one today. I've used a Performance (Travel Trac) fluid trainer for the last two years or so, and it recently leaked some fluid. I figured that I more than got my money out of it, so after the good reviews on the Magneto here and finding it on sale, I decided to invest in a new one.