Indoor trainer best reviews?

[Wasp]

We love our vintage rollers- though they are not really quiet (not sure how quiet you mean....) I found another set for my son on craigslist for $75.00- great for keeping balance sharp as well as the exercise part.....

I'm thinking I may be lacking the coordination required for rollers, do they come with training wheels? Lol

[rocknrollgirl]

LeMond Revolution. I got one for Xmas last year. I had been using the Kinetic, this blows it away. I got the one without the computer to keep the cost down. It truly feels like you are outside on yor bike. Really worth looking into. It made something that was a chore, now something I enjoy. Yes folks, that is right, I enjoy riding my trainer.

[Catrin]

LeMond Revolution. I got one for Xmas last year. I had been using the Kinetic, this blows it away. I got the one without the computer to keep the cost down. It truly feels like you are outside on yor bike. Really worth looking into. It made something that was a chore, now something I enjoy. Yes folks, that is right, I enjoy riding my trainer.

Really? This is interesting! I don't mind my KK but if I were in the market I would consider it from your description.

[roadie gal]

I'm on my trainer about 6 months out of the year. I've had 3 different trainers. Right now I have the Kurt Kinetic, which works just fine for me. I've never noticed the noise of any of the trainers. I usually have a DVD going or listen to music. The trainer has never overwhelmed either of them. I think the noise factor for trainers is over-rated.

[bluejellybean]

This is the info I've been looking for. I'm on the fence about whether to get a trainer or a good spin bike (for trainers I'm leaning towards kinetic or cyclops) but I have basically zero experience with spin bikes except taking a class or two. Does anyone have any good recommendations and do they provide a better workout than a trainer? I want to get the most bang for my buck if I have to be cycling indoors!! Thanks!

[tealtreak]

You are correct, I am new to road biking. I bought my first road bike in June/12. I'm not exactly "fearless" as I have had my share of wipeouts this summer. All of my "incidents" we're due to my foot getting stuck in the cheap clip in pedals that were sold with the bike. I upgraded the pedals to eggbeaters, and haven't wiped out since.
The rollers look intresting, though I have a feeling one needs to be coordinated to use them? Am I right in assuming its easy to wipeout on?
Your also right about the great deal on the trainer in the for sale section. That's an awesome price!
Thank you for all the great advise

I don't consider myself coordinated (can't dance!) and I far prefer my rollers to any other indoor way to cycle- it feels more "real". I started using them in the doorway based on the premise I could reach out if I started to fall- but my son just uses them in the middle of the room and hasn't had a problem (he can't dance either!)

[Wasp]

This is the info I've been looking for. I'm on the fence about whether to get a trainer or a good spin bike (for trainers I'm leaning towards kinetic or cyclops) but I have basically zero experience with spin bikes except taking a class or two. Does anyone have any good recommendations and do they provide a better workout than a trainer? I want to get the most bang for my buck if I have to be cycling indoors!! Thanks!

I have a Keiser m3 spin bike. IMO its been engineered very well, made with high quality materials, and is going to last forever. Easy to assemble. It's super quiet to use, actually it's noiseless.
Price wise, I think it's on the higher end but if you plan on using it on a regular basis it's well worth the investment.

[ny biker]

I always assumed the noise factor was more for people in apartments and condos.

Or with family members who need to sleep, do homework, hear anything besides the trainer, etc.

[nuliajuk]

I'm not sure anyone makes the old style wind trainers with the bladed fans any more - those were the really noisy ones. Mag turbos don't make much noise and are relatively inexpensive. I've been using the same Minoura mag trainer for about 12 years and have had no problems with it. I'm not familiar with fluid trainers.

[zoom-zoom]

My DH and I both have CycleOps trainers. His is fluid, mine is magnetic. His is WAY louder than mine and the resistance is crazy high...like I lose at least 3mph given gearing and effort comparable to if I were riding on flats outdoors. I kinda wonder about CycleOps' quality control. I had to send back the resistance unit on my trainer when it was new (our LBS couldn't simply exchange it, since my trainer had been bought at the end of the season and they no longer had any in stock to exchange). The roller was warped and when I'd ride the vibration pulsating through the house sounded like a freight train. I've ridden other units of the same model my DH has and they don't have the same insane level of resistance.

Their CS is awesome, though. They sent me a new resistance unit with only a scan of my original receipt and serial #. They also sent a box to return the defective resistance unit in.

[limewave]

I'm not sure anyone makes the old style wind trainers with the bladed fans any more - those were the really noisy ones. Mag turbos don't make much noise and are relatively inexpensive. I've been using the same Minoura mag trainer for about 12 years and have had no problems with it. I'm not familiar with fluid trainers.

We have one of those! It had to be 15 years old. A few years ago I used to go to a group trainer ride at an LBS and everyone made fun of my old, beat-up trainer. It worked just fine though. It finally puked on us last winter and I bought a clycleops mag trainer. I actually think I prefer our old one--it seemed to be more consistant in resistance. I can feel the resistance on the cycleops give a litte every now and then when I'm pedaling. But it is less noisy and no one teases me anymore.

[Wasp]

I bought a kinetic by kurt. I got it set up, but life, job, and kids dominated my time as I have yet to use it. Planning on the big try out tomorrow morning.

[bluejellybean]

Let us know how it goes Wasp...that's one on my list to consider!