Trainers

[colorisnt]

So, is it possible to get something indoors that is quiet enough to use for an apartment and doesn't cos as much as another bike?

[tulip]

If I were still a student, I would check into the university's fitness program and see if they had spinning classes.

I find indoor trainers incredibly boring, as well as being loud. I have one, but I dread it. I prefer spinning classes at my Y, or just getting out and riding as much as possible during the winter. Also hiking is a good alternative, as is swimming. And Pilates, of course.

[abejita]

My new Kurt Kinetics trainer will be here tomorrow (Yay!!!!) I'll let you know how loud it is. From what I've read (and the reason I chose it) it is fairly quiet...I guess we'll see.

[colorisnt]

Thanks for the ideas, Tulip. I guess I am hesitant to do classes because 1. undergrads and 2. the fact that the classes don't work with my schedule. I am either teaching or in class during it. I am there to get a workout first and foremost and at my other university, that did not get me in great shape. The talking between people, cell phones going off, etc. was really distracting. I would have to audit a class, but it will have to wait until next semester.

I will definitely have to get in the pool again, but I live to bike lol. And I am not comfortable parking at a park and hiking alone. I would need to find a buddy before the state and county parks feel "safer".

I find ANYTHING indoors boring, but I know it won't be possible to get out every day.

ETA: Abejita, let me know how it goes!

[redrhodie]

I have a Kurt Kinetic, and it's not that loud. I'm in an apartment, and no one has complained, but I am on the 1st floor. I found mine used at my lbs, I think it was under $200.

I was just thinking on my gorgeous ride this morning how I'm dreading pulling it out. It's not much fun, but it's better than nothing.

[Jo-n-NY]

I have a cycle-ops fluid trainer from 2005 which I use beginning now during the week into April when the days get a bit longer for an after work ride. It still works great and is quiet. The price may be a bit on the high side, but it is the next best thing to riding outside. I set up my own routine or just pedal for the duration of a tv show.

[ny biker]

I have a Performance-brand trainer that I got used from a guy that I used to go mountain biking with. It's probably 10 years old. I also have a cycle ops mats to put under it. None of my neighbors has ever complained about the noise.

[arielmoon]

My trainer is not any louder than a large fan. It's a cycle ops magnetic. I think.

[Owlie]

I was actually going to post something similar. Colorisnt, I feel your pain, as I hate doing anything inside. I'm on the first floor of an older building, so the insulation and soundproofing is non-existent. Given my upstairs neighbor's penchant for playing loud music from about 8pm to midnight...at least I'm doing something productive, right?

Supposedly fluid trainers are supposed to be quieter, but I might have to start selling organs to pay for one...I've been lusting after the Kurt Kinetic, but it's a little out of my budget right now.

[featuretile]

I just ordered a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine trainer from http://www.gottaridebikes.com/Mercha...roduct_Count=1
It's on sale for $269/free shipping this month.

I had a semi-recumbent inexpensive exercise bike (that did not feel like a road bike at all) and I gave it to a friend whose husband had a stroke. Even though I live in CA and can ride in the winter, it rains often, and I'm stuck inside. My idea was to find a trainer that I could set up with my Bike Friday, and have that dedicated for exercise indoors. (I only take it on trips.) Then I would have my Ruby ready for sunny days. After ordering, I found that I needed a small wheel adapter to make it work with the BF (for another $26). Still, it doesn't cost as much as a bike! My own bike would feel a lot better than the ones with big fat seats at the health club, and the fit would be better than a spin bike (tried a spin class and hated it).

I'll let you know if it really feels like riding a bike when I get it. The literature says that the fluid type is quieter and more natural. It seemed to get the best reviews. I hope I like it!!!!!

[indysteel]

I have the Cycleops fluid trainer. I rode it side by side with their magnetic trainer, and the fluid was quieter and felt more like riding on the road. Both, however, are incredibly boring IMO. I'm with Tulip on this one. I'd rather do just about anything else during the winter. I may resort to it this year, but not without some complaint.

If you do it inside, get a fan, too. I get overheated when I use it indoors. I prefer to set it up in my garage.

[TxDoc]

How about you buy yourself some rollers?
Not the cheaters, which are expensive - just regular plain old-fashioned rollers. They are less loud than a trainer, cost much less, and will teach you much more in terms of bike handling skills and smooth pedaling technique.

[abejita]

So I got my new kurt kinetics trainer today and set it up. It is not loud at all. I had the tv on its regular volume while I was trying it out and I didn't need to turn it up at all.

I got the KK Rock and Roll trainer. I really like it! It is so much more comfortable than any other trainer I've been on. I got in on sale for $399 plus free shipping from gottaridebikes.com

mary

[colorisnt]

May ask for the kinetics for Christmas, then.

I feel like I should ask for nothing for Christmas, but mom and dad insist. I think the only hesitation with me getting one is that my Dad will ride on it and want to upgrade our old trainer (which is loud and not very enjoyable) while he's at it as well. Anything I get, Dad tries out and wants. My mother needs us to permanently separate haha.

Now that I have a budget again, I could probably buy it myself, but IDK.

My uncle and cousin have rollers and swear by them, but how do you get on/off without killing yourself. Or do you not clip in?

[TxDoc]

My uncle and cousin have rollers and swear by them, but how do you get on/off without killing yourself. Or do you not clip in?

It is usually not a problem after trying a few times.
I know a few friends that have a stepping stool next to the rollers to start/stop. Others who spend considerable amount of time on the rollers build platforms.
The idea is to make the rollers more 'realistic' by leveling the surface, so that you start and stop the same way you would do on the road. While, if you simply place rollers on the floor - the riding surface will be about 3-5 inches higher than the flooor (which is not what happens on a real road).
Personally, I thought that a stepping stool was aestethically unpleasing, and just used the rollers as they were for a few years, until this Summer I found time and patience to build a nice training platform around them which makes them look much nicer. It's sort of an endless pool for a bicycle, hee-hee
Several coaching studios have done the same - built platforms with 1-3 roller sets so that they can have the whole team train indoors if needed. It looks quite neat to enter a room and see 12 or 16 roller sets ready to go in the same room!