Trainer question

[Dogmama]

What is the difference between a magnetic, fluid & wind trainer? Which ones offer the most resistance? Are the quietest? Any recommendations about brands?

Thanks!

[Norse]

I am not sure what a wind trainer is. Between magnetic and fluid, fluid is much better because it most simulates the road. With magnetic, you can get going and the drum will do some of the work for you. With fluid, you slack off, it slows down - you do all the work. So, in that sense, fluid offers more resistance. I have a CycleOps Fluid 2 that I have had for some time. I like it and its relatively quiet. I've also heard good feedback about the Kurt Kinetic.

The most like road feel would be rollers, but I am not that coordinated.

[Blueberry]

The difference is what creates the resistance:

wind - fan blades
mag - magnets
fluid - fluid

Most people say that wind is the loudest, followed by mag and fluid. Fluid definitely feels more like the road to me - resistance gets much harder as you go faster, as does the road.

I love my Kurt Kinetic Road Machine (before that, I had a Cyclops Mag - which was OK, but not great).

[ny biker]

I just bought a Cyclops Fluid 2 and I'm very happy with it. It replaced an old Performance fluid trainer which worked fine but was a bit noisier than I liked. The Fluid 2 is very quiet and works well.

[Owlie]

I wanted a Kurt Kinetic, but I'm poor. I ended up with a Minoura magnetic trainer for less than $200. I'm surprisingly happy with it. (I don't know how happy my downstairs neighbors are, though. )

[Wahine]

Another vote for Kurt Kinetic. I have 2 of them now, the Road Machine and the Rock and Roll. The resistance units are the same on both models, the Rock and Roll allows some lateral movement so you can rock your bike when you're standing. The Road Machine is plenty of trainer for most people.

The advantage of the Kurt K. units over other fluid trainers is that the fluid drum is completely sealed and therefore should not leak. Cyclops trainers have a tendency to leak after 4 to 5 seasons on them. Though I've heard nothing but good things about the company when it comes to customer service related to this problem.


Magnetic trainers are cheaper, a little more noisy and do not simulate road tiding as well. But the work just fine for most people and are definitely much cheaper.