Talk to me about indoor trainers

[F8th637]

I and a few other TE'ers have the 1up bicycle trainer and while it might be pricier than other ones out there it is really a great piece of engineering. There is no fluid and there is no magnet and I still get plenty of resistance. It's not terribly loud, in my opinion. The other great thing I like about it is that when it's not in use you can lay it flat and store it under a bed or desk or something. If you put slicks on your bike, it'll be quieter. I have pictures of my bike on it here: http://ryanandangel.smugmug.com/gallery/4412583_qXMgh

[Becky]

That 1up trainer looks really nice! And no more expensive than a Cycleops fluid....something to remember next time we're in the market.....

[roadie gal]

2+ on the fluid trainers. I also had a Blackburn that I didn't care for. It was jerky and there was a noticeable difference in tension at different cadences.

I had a Performance Travel Trak that I liked a lot. After about 2 years of hard use (6 month winters around here) it started to get jerky. I called Performance and they're going to replace it. I just mailed it off 2 days ago. We'll see how long it takes to come back. But I do like that customer service.

[sundial]

CycleOps fluid trainer is very quiet and can be folded flat-ish to be stored. I highly recommend fluid over magnetic trainers.

[Geonz]

They're horrible and boring Put on layers and keep riding!

I have a magnetic one and it's okay.

[sundial]

Lol! :d

[TsPoet]

I and a few other TE'ers have the 1up bicycle trainer and while it might be pricier than other ones out there it is really a great piece of engineering.

+1 on the 1up. I had a cyclops that I never got to work right. The 1up doesn't have all the bells and whistles and works better for it!
It also works great on several different sized wheels.

[VeloVT]

I really like my Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. Very smooth and quiet. I think it folds up too?

Bright obnoxious color though (slime green). Defintely doesn't blend into MY decor.

Agree that it's pretty boring (probably about the same as a treadmill, maybe even worse), and somehow seems harder than riding outside. Ipod helps. Sadly I don't really have the ability to set my bike up somewhere that I can watch DVDs... but I'm sure that would help a lot. However, it is a good way to get in miles in the winter, and a good opportunity to do drills and such.

[kie_fujo]

we have 2. one is a bell trainer we got for like $70 on amazon and it works just fine. the other one we got on sale. it was originally $175 but i don't notice a difference between it and the bell. the bell is going for $79.99 on amazon now with free shipping!!

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Motivator.../dp/B000AAYBWS

[Irulan]

we have 2. one is a bell trainer we got for like $70 on amazon and it works just fine. the other one we got on sale. it was originally $175 but i don't notice a difference between it and the bell. the bell is going for $79.99 on amazon now with free shipping!!

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Motivator.../dp/B000AAYBWS

how quiet is is? that is going to be a real factor in any purchase I make.

[michelem]

I have the CycleOps Fluid2 (got in on sale). It is very quiet. At first, I used my mountain bike on it and it worked very well. (However, my ill-fitting mountain bike has since been hung up in the garage until I can find someone to take it off my hands.) Since then, I purchased a road bike (with perfect fit, all my pains have melted away!). I think my mountain bike actually fit the trainer BETTER than the road bike.

Anyway, I think the fluid trainer is the way to go. I could never get through a trainer workout without dvd's and the wind and mag trainers just seem way to loud for that.

[kie_fujo]

i don't find it to be very loud, but i have never tried any other than the two i have. i generally throw on my ipod when i ride or turn the tv up a couple extra notches, but my bike is also across the room from the tv.

[milkbone]

Lots of good info already....I have a CycleOps Fluid and love it... : )