Indoor Trainers?

[luvmypwds]

I know it's not even Fall yet but when one lives in Canada one has to always consider winter...

I am planning on buying a Cycle-Ops (sp??) trainer for the winter so that I can continue to ride (I really don't want to ride my Madone in the snow, lol). I have to get in shape for the half-Ironman next September!

Has anyone used one of these and are they any good?? Should I get rollers instead??

[Blueberry]

I have a cyclops mag, and it's been fine for me.

If I were buying a trainer now, though - this is what I'd buy: http://www.kurtkinetic.com/trainers-c-7-l-en.html (The Road Machine). From what I hear, you can't beat the road feel of it. From my (limited) understanding, a trainer will let you build strength while rollers work on endurance/your spin/balance.

Good luck!

CA

[andtckrtoo]

I'm on my third Cyclops trainer. I liked the first two, but this last one is not as impressive. I have the fluid trainer - which was $300.00, but the turn key to tighten the resistance is cheap plastic and hard to turn. I also broke it once, but Cyclops replaced it (a week without my trainer was tough though). It also will not work with my mountain bike (will not go high enough for the 26" tires), but the other two Cyclops' I had did. I would definitely go with something else if I had the choice. But, it's what I have and it works with my road bike. I do a lot of training indoors as I work out early in the morning.

[michelem]

I have the CycleOps fluid trainer. I've never tried any other type of trainer, so I don't have anything with which to compare it. That said, I like it a lot. I started out with the Chris Carmichael mountain biking (intervals) dvd that came with the trainer. It is good and really works on anaerobic threshold (sp?). Then, I got one of the Coach Troy virtual reality dvd's as a gift. It's good as well, but different. No intervals, but more of a rolling hill sequence. I liked it enough to add his other two virtual reality dvd's to my collection. Only got partway through the Lake Placid dvd before I was bored out of my skull. And then the weather got too hot to be riding indoors, so away went the trainer. I'm sure it'll be back out as soon as rainy season hits though!

I'm really glad to have a trainer to be able to ride during the week as well. I work full time and don't feel comfortable riding in the dark . . . Just can't justify blasting the a/c during the summer in order to enjoy using the trainer in the house.

Hope you enjoy yours as well!

[sundial]

CycleOps fluid trainer here too. I pair it with an Evil Coach Troy workout.

[luvmypwds]

Thanks for all the feedback!!

I am dealing with a Trek store and they only sell the Cycle-Ops. I can go elsewhere of course but I quite like the people and the relationship I have with them...so I'll likely be getting one of the Cycle-Ops. Thanks again!

[BiketoWork Barb]

My husband had a mag trainer (Minoura, not Cycleops), and it was so noisy he took it back.

We watch movies while we're on the trainer, if it's not time for a round with "the evil Coach Troy" (I like that description, although I do credit him with my improved attitude about attacking hills because I can hear him saying "spin it up! spin it up! spin it up!" in my head). We couldn't stand the volume with the mag (even wearing earphones for the movie soundtrack).

A triathlete friend of his said the kurtkinetic "ate tires", whatever that means.

--barb

[violette]

I have the KurtKenetic trainer and love it. I've had it for 2 years. the "ate tire" means that the rear tire will wear out quicker because it is on the fly wheel. I just bought a cheap road tire and it was fine. I also do the "evil coach Troy" and I really saw an improvement. The resistance is also very good.

[bluebug32]

Anyone have experience with the KurtKinetic Rock and Roll? It looks interesting.

[Flur]

Anyone have experience with the KurtKinetic Rock and Roll? It looks interesting.

We have it, but we haven't unpacked it yet. The weather's been too nice. There's a good chance it will still be in the box a month from now, but when we get it up and running I'll post on it.

FYI - we bought a demo model. They were selling them for less than 1/2 the regular price, and less than their regular road trainer, and we just had to jump at it. Anyone who's interested should check their website ASAP b/c the new ones are really expensive.

[Pedal Wench]

We have it, but we haven't unpacked it yet. The weather's been too nice. There's a good chance it will still be in the box a month from now, but when we get it up and running I'll post on it.

FYI - we bought a demo model. They were selling them for less than 1/2 the regular price, and less than their regular road trainer, and we just had to jump at it. Anyone who's interested should check their website ASAP b/c the new ones are really expensive.

Just ordered one. That makes a total of 4 trainers in the basement...