Trainer Recommendations?

[LaurenC]

Hi all. I'm new here and trying to get reinspired to get back on my bike since getting my health back. Great timing now that it's winter, huh? Does anyone have any recommendations for a bike trainer or what features are must haves? I don't need anything too fancy, but I don't want bottom of the barrel either. I have 3 in mind: Elite Crono, Travel Trac, and Blackburn Ultra Trainer. These are all under $300. I think it was the Blackburn that adjusts so you don't need a front block. The Elite has a monitor I can use on the trainer or on the road (and I need a new one anyway). Is there anything specific I should be looking for? Thanks for any help!

[Irulan]

I am a newbie at this, but I went for quiet.
Watch your local Craig's list, there are great deals out there. Look for either a fluid or magnetic, those are the quiet ones.

[Jo-n-NY]

Myself, friend and husband have been using the Cyclops Fluid trainer for what will now be 4 winters and love it. Of course, nothing beats riding outdoors, but for trainer, this one works out great

~ JoAnn

[martinkap]

Finally a thread where I can ask my completely stupid, noob and naive question. What do you with a trainer? I ride about 150-200 miles a week (including my daily commute) but this is going to shrink in the winter to probably about 100 miles. I want to ride more. But I really cannot imagine what to do with a trainer.

Do you just sit on your bike and stare into the wall while pedalling? I think that would make me go crazy. I like the wind, the nature, the cracks in the road ...

And if you do spent 2 hours pedaling at home (seriously, can someone give me accurate description of trainer use? Do you put on cycling jerseys and then pedal home?), so why not to spent those 2 hours in the gym where one would get much more balanced and more effective workout? I don't go to gym because there is no road, no trees, no wind in my face... but that is not in my apartment either.

Honestly, I am not trying to be a wise-*** - I think I am missing some really important piece of puzzle. I have never seen a trainer in my life.

Thank you,

Martina

[Cataboo]

The gym requires a drive and putting on clothes to get over there. I'm fundamentally lazy. not to mention - I hate the exercise bikes at the gym - whereas, I love my bikes. I've got a kinetic rock and roll trainer - so it does lean and tilt if my stroke is uneven, so I can work on my stroke and form while on the trainer. (yes, rollers are cheaper and do the same thing) If I went to the gym, I'd probably use an elliptical trainer and do some weight training, and it's actually a really good idea for me to do that.

My trainer, I've got out in my sunroom which is kinda cool in the winter, so I can open the window if I get hot. I've got it in front of the tv, so i can watch tv - I've got however many episodes of stuff to watch on tivo, so maybe an hour on the trainer while catching up with tv that I never otherwise watch. Music and or audio books are also helpful on the trainer.

I do have a bunch of the spinervals dvds, so ocassionally I'll watch one of those because it mixes stuff up - interval changing, gear changing, standing up, etc.

I just put on a sports bra & a pair of bike shorts when I'm on the trainer, because it's my house & noone's gonna see me

[melissam]

I have a 1upusa.com trainer that I've been very happy with. I've put ~1000 indoor training miles on it since I bought it in early 2007.

It's easy to set up and can easily accommodate bikes with different wheel sizes (some of my bikes are 650C, one is 700C) and axle widths. With the exception of rear tire squeak, it's very quiet. You can use the trainer without a front wheel block, since the rear wheel is close to the ground.

Martin, the indoor trainer can be a great training tool. If you want to do intervals, you can do the exact workout you want, without having to deal with traffic, stop signs/stop lights, terrain, headwinds or crosswinds. Not only that, but you never have to worry about getting a flat tire on the trainer!

I preferred it over the gym because I could simply roll out of bed, set the bike & trainer up, do my workout, shower and head for work. It easily became a part of my morning routine.

- Melissa

[GraysonKelly]

How do you measure miles on a trainer? Will medium range trainer come with something to measure that? Keep in mind, I don't know and I need one. It's part of my knee rehab and I need something for winter.
Thanks,
Gray

[Irulan]

I am using a training program that I got online from www.lwcoaching.com. I want a little more structure than I think I'll get from the spinervals DVDs. It's a six week program for base building/maintaining.

[melissam]

How do you measure miles on a trainer? Will medium range trainer come with something to measure that? Keep in mind, I don't know and I need one. It's part of my knee rehab and I need something for winter.
Thanks,
Gray

Hi Gray,

I have a Cateye Astrale 8 cycle computer that measures distance via the sensor/magnet on the rear wheel. It also measures cadence, which is a great thing to monitor during indoor workouts.

I know, some people don't track indoor miles because you're not really going anywhere. I like to track indoor mileage because it's a measurement I can relate to and gives me an idea of where I am training-wise. For some reason, I'm not as good at translating hours in the saddle vs. miles on the road.

- Melissa

[gingerale]

Thank you for asking this! I'm getting some great info for myself since I just purchased a trainer this past weekend.

[malkin]

I look at the cracks in the floor
Recite memorized passages in my head
Listen for the various clocks in the house to count off the quarters
And pray that angels will catch me if I start to fall off the rollers.

[LaurenC]

Thanks everyone. Gingerale, what did you get and do you like it? Martina, I want to try the trainer instead of the gym as I can't really afford the gym right now. Also, I wouldn't be there enough to make it cost effective as most of my excercise comes from horseback riding, kayaking, skiing, and of course biking.

[Velobambina]

Martina - in a word, SPINERVALS. You will be stronger for the suffering.

[Norse]

+1 for the Cyclops Fluid. I am going into the 5th winter of use for mine and never had problems. Fluid and roller trainers are better than magnetic because, my understanding is that, magnetics, like Life Cycles, keep spinning after you stop pedaling so they don't simulate the road very well.

Probably like everyone else, mine is set up in front of the TV and I have a small collection of Spinervals, Train Right videos and Bike-O-Vision scenery DVD's. Sometimes though, like this morning, I just turn the TV to the Dance music channel, turn up the volume and do an interval work-out.

Besides being on your own bike and doing the work-out you want to do, the other beauty of this is NOT having to get dressed to go to the gym, fighting for a bike and driving to and from. I wear beat-up old bike shorts that I would not wear in public and too tight sports' tank tops that I would not be caught dead outside our basement in. I love having the trainer.

[kie_fujo]

we have a bell motivator trainer that we got on amazon and it works great. it's under $100 too!

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Motivator...6436812&sr=8-1