Trainers

[ny biker]

I have a Performance-brand trainer that I got used from a guy that I used to go mountain biking with. It's probably 10 years old. I also have a cycle ops mats to put under it. None of my neighbors has ever complained about the noise.

[arielmoon]

My trainer is not any louder than a large fan. It's a cycle ops magnetic. I think.

[Owlie]

I was actually going to post something similar. Colorisnt, I feel your pain, as I hate doing anything inside. I'm on the first floor of an older building, so the insulation and soundproofing is non-existent. Given my upstairs neighbor's penchant for playing loud music from about 8pm to midnight...at least I'm doing something productive, right?

Supposedly fluid trainers are supposed to be quieter, but I might have to start selling organs to pay for one...I've been lusting after the Kurt Kinetic, but it's a little out of my budget right now.

[featuretile]

I just ordered a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine trainer from http://www.gottaridebikes.com/Mercha...roduct_Count=1
It's on sale for $269/free shipping this month.

I had a semi-recumbent inexpensive exercise bike (that did not feel like a road bike at all) and I gave it to a friend whose husband had a stroke. Even though I live in CA and can ride in the winter, it rains often, and I'm stuck inside. My idea was to find a trainer that I could set up with my Bike Friday, and have that dedicated for exercise indoors. (I only take it on trips.) Then I would have my Ruby ready for sunny days. After ordering, I found that I needed a small wheel adapter to make it work with the BF (for another $26). Still, it doesn't cost as much as a bike! My own bike would feel a lot better than the ones with big fat seats at the health club, and the fit would be better than a spin bike (tried a spin class and hated it).

I'll let you know if it really feels like riding a bike when I get it. The literature says that the fluid type is quieter and more natural. It seemed to get the best reviews. I hope I like it!!!!!

[indysteel]

I have the Cycleops fluid trainer. I rode it side by side with their magnetic trainer, and the fluid was quieter and felt more like riding on the road. Both, however, are incredibly boring IMO. I'm with Tulip on this one. I'd rather do just about anything else during the winter. I may resort to it this year, but not without some complaint.

If you do it inside, get a fan, too. I get overheated when I use it indoors. I prefer to set it up in my garage.