trainer or stationary bike

[Munch]

I know it's just getting into summer, but I'm trying to think longterm and plan ahead. Which is better a trainer or a stationary bike?

I don't have a lot of money so I wouldn't be able to get an expensive trainer and I'm new to the sport anyways so just something to keep me spinning. Do you have to take the back wheel apart to put your bike on a trainer?

Would I get the same benefits of riding on a stationary bike?

Sorry if I seem completely clueless.

Thanks!

[rivergal]

Lol...because it's getting to be summer* I'm looking into a bike roller or trainer. I'm leaning toward a roller actually to keep my costs low for now. I've heard the parabolic ones are best to keep from going off the side.

Summer in Florida is not outdoor bike season for me because of health issues.

[Irulan]

Trainer or rollers. You can get a nice trainer used off Craig's list for not much... I paid $125 for a very nicely unused Kurt Kinetic. You shoulnd't have to take the rear wheel off, and most kinds collapse down to put away when you aren't using tem.

As for stationary bike.... I visualize the kind grandma had in the basement and that's....ick. I wouldn't' consider anything less that a spin-type bike if I was going to get one.

[Munch]

Trainer or rollers. You can get a nice trainer used off Craig's list for not much... I paid $125 for a very nicely unused Kurt Kinetic. You shoulnd't have to take the rear wheel off, and most kinds collapse down to put away when you aren't using tem.

As for stationary bike.... I visualize the kind grandma had in the basement and that's....ick. I wouldn't' consider anything less that a spin-type bike if I was going to get one.

If your thinking of the big air fan type stationary bike, that's not what I was thinking. Those things are murder!!!! But I think a trainer is probably my best bet as it will take up less space.

[Munch]

Lol...because it's getting to be summer* I'm looking into a bike roller or trainer. I'm leaning toward a roller actually to keep my costs low for now. I've heard the parabolic ones are best to keep from going off the side.

Summer in Florida is not outdoor bike season for me because of health issues.

I'm confused.. Were you quoting another thread or what?

[rivergal]

I'm confused.. Were you quoting another thread or what?

Munch, no just noting that I'm looking as well, not to prepare for winter, but because summers here in Florida aren't my best friend. I've thought about both trainers and rollers, and decided on rollers (CycleOps).

[ny biker]

I know it's just getting into summer, but I'm trying to think longterm and plan ahead. Which is better a trainer or a stationary bike?

I don't have a lot of money so I wouldn't be able to get an expensive trainer and I'm new to the sport anyways so just something to keep me spinning. Do you have to take the back wheel apart to put your bike on a trainer?

Would I get the same benefits of riding on a stationary bike?

Sorry if I seem completely clueless.

Thanks!

If you're talking about buying a stationary bike, I would think a trainer would cost less. If you're talking about using a stationary bike at the gym, you would generally get the same benefits.

To use a trainer, you might need to change the skewer that holds the real wheel on, because the one on your bike might not fit into the trainer. But that's easy to do without even removing the wheel -- just take out one skewer, put in the other and tighten it. You should be able to use the "trainer" skewer for outdoor rides, too.

[malkin]

Rollers!

If I can do it, (almost) anyone can!

[ridebikeme]

Like many others have suggested, I too, would recommend a trainer. There are many models out there, so pay a vist to your local bike shop and they can give you all the pros and cons, price points, etc...

I think if people truly pay attention to riding on the trainer, you generally learn a lot about shifting, heart rate, power(for those that have it) and position on the bike... what is comfortable and what isn't. Most of that you do NOT learn on a spin bike.

I watch Spinervals, race DVD's anything bike related... and that helps keep me foucused and esentially my mind off what I'm doing( like not watching the clock)

Good luck in your search!!

[Catrin]

I would recommend a trainer, as others have. When I first started learning to ride 2.5 years ago I found an indoor trainer most useful - it really helped me figure out how to shift, and as it was in the middle of winter it helped me to speed up the learning process. The real advantage is you get to use your bike, and they generally fold up for easy storage.

I've not seen any trainers that require the rear wheel to be removed, I think this is quite uncommon. All of the trainers I've seen simply require a skewer in the rear wheel that will fit in the trainer. That is something easily changed and, frankly, I just leave my trainer skewer in my rear wheel all of the time.

Craig's List is a good way to find a used trainer, and there are different types offered by the usual companies: wind (loud but less expensive), magnetic, and fluid trainers. You can find a very brief description between magnetic and fluid trainers here. Both magnetic and fluid trainers have fans here and there have been previous discussions here on the topic. I need to get out the door or I would find a couple of the threads and post the link here.

[Owlie]

I got a magnetic trainer (a Minoura, not as expensive as other brands) from Amazon. While it can be noisy, my neighbors haven't complained. It does require a skewer swap, but that's easy. Personally, I'd rather ride outside, time and weather permitting.

[Jiffer]

I vote for trainer as well. It takes less space, for one, and while I'm not really familiar with prices, I would imagine the trainer would be cheaper. My husband has bought a couple of trainers, so he's more in the know on prices and brands and all that. I do know that the one we used to have I could put the bike on fairly easily. It was as another poster said, I took the skewer off the rear wheel to do it.

One reason I prefer the trainer is that I like to ride my own bike. I'm used to the feel of it and like the familiarity when on a trainer as well.

My husband just upgraded our trainer to a much nicer one, but while it's very nice to ride on (feels a heck of a lot more like being on a road than our old trainer), you do have to take the back wheel off to use it. I, therefore, have yet to use it except once when my husband set it up for me.

I generally avoid trainers at all costs, truth be known. I have to be pretty desperate to use one, as I by far prefer to ride outside on real roads. Riding on a trainer (just like a stationary bike) can actually be physically harder, because there is never any coasting like a real road. You're just constantly "going" . . . but not really getting anywhere! And no wind to dry your sweat.

Okay, I didn't mean to be a downer! GET A TRAINER! WOO HOO!!!! (One upside is you can watch TV while you ride. )

[Munch]

I vote for trainer as well. It takes less space, for one, and while I'm not really familiar with prices, I would imagine the trainer would be cheaper. My husband has bought a couple of trainers, so he's more in the know on prices and brands and all that. I do know that the one we used to have I could put the bike on fairly easily. It was as another poster said, I took the skewer off the rear wheel to do it.

One reason I prefer the trainer is that I like to ride my own bike. I'm used to the feel of it and like the familiarity when on a trainer as well.

My husband just upgraded our trainer to a much nicer one, but while it's very nice to ride on (feels a heck of a lot more like being on a road than our old trainer), you do have to take the back wheel off to use it. I, therefore, have yet to use it except once when my husband set it up for me.

I generally avoid trainers at all costs, truth be known. I have to be pretty desperate to use one, as I by far prefer to ride outside on real roads. Riding on a trainer (just like a stationary bike) can actually be physically harder, because there is never any coasting like a real road. You're just constantly "going" . . . but not really getting anywhere! And no wind to dry your sweat.

Okay, I didn't mean to be a downer! GET A TRAINER! WOO HOO!!!! (One upside is you can watch TV while you ride. )

how do I know which trainers require you to take the wheel off and which don't? And yes, I'm looking forward to watching tv and still training! It'll be good for rainy days as well.

[Irulan]

how do I know which trainers require you to take the wheel off and which don't? And yes, I'm looking forward to watching tv and still training! It'll be good for rainy days as well.

They don't, except for the new one mentioned in this thread. Warning, you'll either hate it or tolerate it. Some people do dvd's with it, or listen to music or watch movies etc. I use a workout created by a trainer that gives me cadence/hr guidelines and watch stuff on netflix.

[Jiffer]

how do I know which trainers require you to take the wheel off and which don't? And yes, I'm looking forward to watching tv and still training! It'll be good for rainy days as well.

I have never researched or purchased one myself, but I would imagine reading a description online or on the packaging would tell you how you put it on.