trainer or stationary bike

[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.

[Cynedra]

I see trainers on Craigslist a lot. I have a trainer and I use it occasionally but prefer the coolness of actually riding over the trainer. Trainer is in carport - it is warm there. Right now though, I am seriously thinking about moving it inside the house for about three weeks in July.

(I'm extremely lucky, one of my neighbors was going to take the trainer to the recycle center but then offered it to me. Same way with our bike trailer. Both are worth every penny I paid for them. As the saying goes, if it's free, it's for me.)