Indoor trainer best reviews?

[Wasp]

I have decieded to invest in a indoor trainer. I'm leaning towards the fluid types. I don't want to spend over $500, but whatever I buy it has to be quiet. I would not be happy with a really loud trainer, I think the noise would be really distracting and probably annoying after riding an hour or so.
If anyone has any advise, i'de love to hear it.

[Becky]

Fluid is the way to go. It's not silent, but a big improvement over wind and magnetic versions, IMO. DH and I have 2 Cycleops fluid models, one of which is 10 years old and still ticking. I've liked the Kurt Kinetic models as well. If you can, try to demo the models that you're considering. They don't all feel the same, and I've demo'ed some that were really terrible- loud and hard on my knees.

[kmehrzad]

I had a nice Kurt Kinetic trainer for awhile and was using the Spinnerval DVDs to ride to. The shifting of bike gears never felt realistic for me while using the trainer ... there was a slight lag time so after a season I didn't use it any longer. The following year I bought a spin bike and have enjoyed it tremendously. This is just my opinion with the first experience I had using a trainer (it was a high-end fluid KK, as well).

[Catrin]

I've the Kurt Kinetic Fluid trainer as well, and as far as trainers go I really like it. Nice and quiet - gets the job done. If I didn't live in a small apartment where space is a concern I probably would have considered a spin bike, but trainers don't take up much room and fold up nicely for storage.

BTW, I got mine new and came in under your budget. KK does have a really high end version that is higher than that, but most fall under that $500. At least they did last year...

[TsPoet]

I love love love my 1up. It isn't adjustable like the others claim to be - but I found my Kurt just didn't work as advertised and changing gears on the bike does. The 1up is smooth and much quieter. It's lighter, easier to use.
http://www.amazon.com/1up-USA-A-2000...ews/B000PDAU0W
http://www.1upusa.com/product-trainer.html

[sgf726]

I also have the Cyclops Fluid Training. It is not silent but fairly quiet I usually listen to music or watch TV while riding and don't find it distracting at all.
I find the shifting fairly realistic, overall I am happy with it.

[tealtreak]

We love our vintage rollers- though they are not really quiet (not sure how quiet you mean....) I found another set for my son on craigslist for $75.00- great for keeping balance sharp as well as the exercise part.....

[Norse]

+ 1 on the CycleOps. Great customer service too. When my first drum started leaking fluid, after many many many years of use, they sent me a brand new and updated replacement drum free of charge.

[Wasp]

We love our vintage rollers- though they are not really quiet (not sure how quiet you mean....) I found another set for my son on craigslist for $75.00- great for keeping balance sharp as well as the exercise part.....

I'm thinking I may be lacking the coordination required for rollers, do they come with training wheels? Lol

[meganm]

I love love love my 1up. It isn't adjustable like the others claim to be - but I found my Kurt just didn't work as advertised and changing gears on the bike does. The 1up is smooth and much quieter. It's lighter, easier to use.
http://www.amazon.com/1up-USA-A-2000...ews/B000PDAU0W
http://www.1upusa.com/product-trainer.html

I agree, I have one and I really like it.

[ny biker]

Pretty much everything you need to know is here:

http://cycling-review.com/accessories/bicycle-trainer/