Trainers?

[KFrantz]

My husband and I are looking into buying a trainer. We are looking at the Kurt Kinetic Fluid or Cycleops Fluid 2. We also looked at the new Lemond Revolution, but have probably taken that off our list because every review has talked about how loud it is.

We live in sunny Tucson, but with it getting dark so early, I really need something I can use during the week - hopefully in front of the tv to take the boredom away.

Do any of you have any experience with any of these? Suggestions?

[Catrin]

I have the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine (the fluid trainer) and really like it. I tested it against the Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer and while they both felt solid I preferred the way the Kurt Kinetic felt. It seemed to feel more stable somehow, and just more solid. I am sure there are others who would say the reverse, that was just my personal opinion after the test.

Do you have the option of taking your bike to the LBS and trying them both out with the bike you will be using? That really helped me to make up my mind.

[KFrantz]

Taking the bikes is a good idea. I'll have to see if we have a store that carries both. Do you have any problems getting your bike in/out of the Kinetic? I've heard one of the only drawbacks to that model is it can be a little tricky.

[Catrin]

Taking the bikes is a good idea. I'll have to see if we have a store that carries both. Do you have any problems getting your bike in/out of the Kinetic? I've heard one of the only drawbacks to that model is it can be a little tricky.

I've not had any problems with either one of them. I do prefer the Kinetic as far as taking the bike on/off, but that is just my personal preference. I think a lot of bike stores do carry both. We've several local stores who have sold so many Kinetics that they now keep more of those in stock than the Cycleops.

They are both good trainers and will do the job for you. I think if you can take your bike and try them out, even if you need to go to different stores in order to do that, it will pay in the long term. The better it feels to you makes it more likely that you will use it. I think the Kinetic is typically more expensive, so that is something to consider as well.

[Norse]

I have the Cycleops Fluid 2 and have been very happy with it. I have had it for so long I can't remember not having it. The resistance unit did start to leak after a few years, but I sent it in and they covered it under the warranty - sent me a brand new resistance unit of their most recent model; so it was almost like getting a whole new trainer. The new unit has been going strong for several years now.

[pll]

I have had a Cycle Ops Fluid 2 for more than 6 years now and it works very well. I don't find particularly loud, although I put a rubber mat under it (to muffle the sound, but most of all to protect my hardwood floor from bike debris and sweat).

I was very impressed a couple of weeks ago, when I lifted a new Cycle Ops trainer in a bike shop. Mine weighs like an anvil; the new one is very light!

I would assume that, unless you are very heavy or a super powerful rider, you should be fine with either trainer. I like the green of the Kurt Kinetic...

[grouch2]

I have the Kinetic. The only trainer I could try locally was the Cycle Ops (fluid or magnetic). A friend had the Kinetic and she let me try hers. I liked the way both felt, and, after reading many reviews and watching several you tube videos of trainers in action, I decided that the Kinetic (fluid) and Cycle Ops were roughly equivalent as far as quality and durability.
I decided on the Kinetic because of it's lower sales price (I love finding a good sale!) and the fact that its fluid capsule is sealed (they have a video you can watch on Amazon or on their webpage about this) so there is a very small chance of leaks.
I'm very happy with my Kinetic, but I don't think you can go wrong with either one.