Your opinions on these trainers?

[TsPoet]

Thanks girls, I had been thinking about the first one (first link I posted) because it seemed the bundle was good value. Mats don't seem to come less than £50, front blocks - the cheapest I could find is £14. I'd quite like a trip computer thingy and they also seem to be about £50.

I will mull over your comments and be pleased to get any others.

Cheers

The matt - I use a flattened cardboard box
front tire leveler - I use old phonebooks
computer - this is a little more complicated, I bought a super cheap cycling computer and jerry-rigged a mount for it on the trainer.
Yes, I set this all up in my living room and all winter long I have a bike on a giant piece of old greased up cardboard and tattered phonebooks in the main room of my house. But the total cost for these was $0, or ~$20 if you include the cycle computer (which I can't see when I ride, but I set it up that way on purpose).

[stella2]

The matt - I use a flattened cardboard box
front tire leveler - I use old phonebooks
computer - this is a little more complicated, I bought a super cheap cycling computer and jerry-rigged a mount for it on the trainer.
Yes, I set this all up in my living room and all winter long I have a bike on a giant piece of old greased up cardboard and tattered phonebooks in the main room of my house. But the total cost for these was $0, or ~$20 if you include the cycle computer (which I can't see when I ride, but I set it up that way on purpose).

I commend you, really I do, but I'm too obsessional about tidyness

[LilBolt]

For the mat, we purchased the inexpensive carpet runner by the linear foot from one of the home improvement stores. I haven't used the trainers that you are considering, but give another vote for the Kurt Kinetic.

[abejita]

Another vote for Kurt Kinetics...we got the rock and roll this fall and love it!

[Becky]

We have two Cycle Ops trainers, one of which is 10 years old and still going strong! I've been pleased with both its durability and their customer service.

Some general thoughts:
Remote shifters annoy me. One more thing to fuss with and little benefit, IMO.
If you can, ride different brands and models first. I've ridden some that I've hated and others that I loved. They're not all the same...
Pay close attention to how the bike mounts in the trainer and how easy it is to use. You're going to use that lever/knob a lot! Something that requires turning a knob multiple times to anchor the bike quickly gets old.

Have fun shopping!