Indoor trainer best reviews?

[Wasp]

I have decieded to invest in a indoor trainer. I'm leaning towards the fluid types. I don't want to spend over $500, but whatever I buy it has to be quiet. I would not be happy with a really loud trainer, I think the noise would be really distracting and probably annoying after riding an hour or so.
If anyone has any advise, i'de love to hear it.

[Becky]

Fluid is the way to go. It's not silent, but a big improvement over wind and magnetic versions, IMO. DH and I have 2 Cycleops fluid models, one of which is 10 years old and still ticking. I've liked the Kurt Kinetic models as well. If you can, try to demo the models that you're considering. They don't all feel the same, and I've demo'ed some that were really terrible- loud and hard on my knees.

[kmehrzad]

I had a nice Kurt Kinetic trainer for awhile and was using the Spinnerval DVDs to ride to. The shifting of bike gears never felt realistic for me while using the trainer ... there was a slight lag time so after a season I didn't use it any longer. The following year I bought a spin bike and have enjoyed it tremendously. This is just my opinion with the first experience I had using a trainer (it was a high-end fluid KK, as well).

[Catrin]

I've the Kurt Kinetic Fluid trainer as well, and as far as trainers go I really like it. Nice and quiet - gets the job done. If I didn't live in a small apartment where space is a concern I probably would have considered a spin bike, but trainers don't take up much room and fold up nicely for storage.

BTW, I got mine new and came in under your budget. KK does have a really high end version that is higher than that, but most fall under that $500. At least they did last year...

[TsPoet]

I love love love my 1up. It isn't adjustable like the others claim to be - but I found my Kurt just didn't work as advertised and changing gears on the bike does. The 1up is smooth and much quieter. It's lighter, easier to use.
http://www.amazon.com/1up-USA-A-2000...ews/B000PDAU0W
http://www.1upusa.com/product-trainer.html

[sgf726]

I also have the Cyclops Fluid Training. It is not silent but fairly quiet I usually listen to music or watch TV while riding and don't find it distracting at all.
I find the shifting fairly realistic, overall I am happy with it.

[tealtreak]

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.....

[Norse]

+ 1 on the CycleOps. Great customer service too. When my first drum started leaking fluid, after many many many years of use, they sent me a brand new and updated replacement drum free of charge.

[Aromig]

I have a Kurt Rock N Roll. It was OK until I bought the extra weighted flywheel, which sortof annoyed me because it wasn't inexpensive in the first place without having to buy an extra $80 add on. It seems quiet enough (I listen to audiobooks on my ipod and I don't have to turn that up unreasonably loud and it doesn't wake up my sleeping kids in the next room). The fact that it can move made me feel more comfortable on putting my new bike on it, but if I had to do over again I'm not positive I would do it based up on the price (although I'm telling myself that my REI member distribution will make it worth it :-))

[Wasp]

How about rollers? Far less boring, and let you work on handling. I bought one from Nashbar last year for 100.00.

I don't know what rollers are. If I googled rollers would it show me what your referring to?

[tealtreak]

How about rollers? Far less boring, and let you work on handling. I bought one from Nashbar last year for 100.00.

LOVE our rollers!

[meganm]

I love love love my 1up. It isn't adjustable like the others claim to be - but I found my Kurt just didn't work as advertised and changing gears on the bike does. The 1up is smooth and much quieter. It's lighter, easier to use.
http://www.amazon.com/1up-USA-A-2000...ews/B000PDAU0W
http://www.1upusa.com/product-trainer.html

I agree, I have one and I really like it.

[ny biker]

Pretty much everything you need to know is here:

http://cycling-review.com/accessories/bicycle-trainer/

[Wasp]

These are rollers.

Mine are not the Parabolic type, so no raised edges to help you stay on the rollers. I would show you those, but they don't appear to have them at the moment. They do have other brands, but for far more $$.

They aren't as difficult as they look.

If you still want a trainer, I'd get the one that is for sale on this forum. Great deal. And shouldn't be that hard to ship, really.

But, Nashbar has all trainers/rollers available with free shipping for the next two days.

You might also try Performance.

For reviews, I'd read the product reviews on Nashbar and Performance. But, again, the one for sale here is the best deal for a non-roller trainer.

Edit: here are the ones I bought. I'm very happy with them.

I just realized, (after double-checking the forum) you are a fairly new rider? If you are the fearless type, definitley try the rollers, if not, perhaps a year or two on a stationary trainer is a good idea.

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

[Wasp]

Pretty much everything you need to know is here:

http://cycling-review.com/accessories/bicycle-trainer/

Thanks....lots of great advise