Trainers- I am clueless!

[makbike]

Does your LBC have a forum? I picked up a Cyclop2 fluid trainer last year for $150 off our forum and have logged many a mile on it since my purchase. Craigslist and EBay are also good places to look too.

The Spinerval tapes/DVDs provide an excellent workout and by the end you will dislike Coach Troy a lot, an awful lot! I'm convinced he does not know how to ride a bike for I've never seen him astride one. He is one sick cookie. Our LBC offers trainer tours every Tuesday and Thursday hosted by a Coach Troy tape. Like little lemmings we all hook our bikes up, climb aboard and do as Coach Troy tells us. However, those who stick with using their trainers throughout the winter months are way ahead of those who parked their bikes for the winter months when it warms up later in the season.

Good luck!

[han-grrl]

We have a few bike forums around here, and people are frequently upgrading their trainers. perhaps you can post a "looking for" ad somewhere in your bike community.

[ribbit_zap]

I just purchased a Cycleops Magneto online for 200 (including the block) and the shipping was free. It is a 2006 which is why it was cheaper (they are now pushing the 2007 model) The cheapest places tend to be online. I looked at bike shops and they were all way more expensive...around 70 bucks more expensive and when you are trying to cut costs 70 bucks makes a huge difference. Good Luck!

[han-grrl]

you can also check ebay

[Aggie_Ama]

Mak- Have you had any problems with the Cycleops leaking? I found one on Craigslist for $175, I was thinking of seeing if he would take less.

Nancy- Do you recall which site you used? I have found several but am concerned about using one I am unfamiliar with.

We have a brand new Performance here, one of the first in Texas. I was thinking of checking them out this weekend. All this cold and rain is killing my fitness. When I lived in an apartment I had the fitness center to fall back on, now I am just sitting on my butt.

[makbike]

AA, I've not any problems with my trainer leaking. I've logged over 1,600 miles on since I picked it up last year. It was "lightly" used, whatever that means. No matter what it means I know I've gotten my $150 out of it and I've been able to maintain my fitness level.

Good luck in your hunt.

[EBD]

I just bought an Ascent magnetic trainer from Performance for $89 (sale). It seems very sturdy - but it is a little noisy. I had to crank up the TV a few notches. It has 3 resistance levels - the medium one is a good workout for me, using my toughest gears, but my BF was disappointed that he can't get enough resistance to stand up on the bike. I bought a block and sweat guard but not a mat - just use an old yoga mat with a towel on top (on carpet floor).

For what it's worth, my BF asked the bike shop guy what the difference was between an $89 trainer and a $269 trainer, he basically said the differences are at the margins - that cheap trainers have gotten better in the last few years. So a more expensive one will probably be quieter, more stable, maybe more resistance . . . but a cheap trainer isn't dangerous or anything.

But then, I'm still an amateur cyclist looking for a winter workout, and definitely not a racer.