Bike trainers

jewel3

I'm thinking about cancelling my gym membership but come the winter, I won't be jigging or biking. Anyone find a bike trainer helps keep them in shape?

grebber1

Peloton

Machka9

I have my bicycle on a trainer, and I've signed up with Zwift, so that's what's been keeping me in shape over the winter.

deannalfisher

do you have a road bike already? if yes, then you could look to something like a kurt kinetic or cycleops (they will run you about 300) - I bought my kurt kinetic in December 2009 and its still going strong - I've trained for 2 ironmen on it - i'm looking to upgrade to a smart trainer this year (wahoo kickr snap) because I have some hilly races coming up and no real place locally to train

when in doubt - i always check with DC Rainmaker for reviews:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/10/annual-trainer-recommendations.html - he does this post annually where he compares what is on the market

deannalfisher

for trainer apps, there is trainerroad - which is pretty simple in that its just programmed workouts; there is zwift where you can see yourself riding with others (this is better IMHO if you have a smart trainer that adjusts for resistance); there is bkool and rouvry - but i'm less familiar with them

orangegato

Yes, I use a bike trainer, but I haven't used it in conjunction w/ youtube videos etc for spin classes. I watch Netflix and just bike.

aokoye

I have a Wahoo Kickr Snap and I like it. I use it with TrainerRoad and with Zwift. If you want what is likely the best set of reivews on trainers go to the DCRainmaker website, more specifically this page or his most recent trainer guide from last fall. Also, do read the comments, it's one of the few sites where they're actually useful.

Machka9

aokoye wrote: »

I have a Wahoo Kickr Snap and I like it. I use it with TrainerRoad and with Zwift. If you want what is likely the best set of reivews on trainers go to the DCRainmaker website, more specifically this page or his most recent trainer guide from last fall. Also, do read the comments, it's one of the few sites where they're actually useful.

My next step will likely be a smart trainer, but it's just a bit out of the price range just now.

MeanderingMammal

I have a Vortex Smart and use Zwift. In the past, with a dumb trainer, I've used Sufferfest videos. Both are helpful.

I can get a good, hard, session on the trainer easily in anything from 45 to 90 minutes. I could also do three or four hours of steady paced work.

If the budget works I'd suggest a direct drive, but that does depend on how often you'd be taking the bike on and off. I have an old aluminium frame bike that lives in mine all the time.

I compliment the bike with a TRX and Kettlebell for resistance training, although my primary sport is running.

deannalfisher

Machka9 wrote: »

aokoye wrote: »

I have a Wahoo Kickr Snap and I like it. I use it with TrainerRoad and with Zwift. If you want what is likely the best set of reivews on trainers go to the DCRainmaker website, more specifically this page or his most recent trainer guide from last fall. Also, do read the comments, it's one of the few sites where they're actually useful.

My next step will likely be a smart trainer, but it's just a bit out of the price range just now.

i'm finally making the jump - but its not going to be a direct drive one, but similar to a tradtional one where you leave rear wheel on (like the wahoo kickr snap - which is $599 i think) - i figure with christmas coming up and potential sales, i should be able to get a good deal

deannalfisher

aokoye wrote: »

I have a Wahoo Kickr Snap and I like it. I use it with TrainerRoad and with Zwift. If you want what is likely the best set of reivews on trainers go to the DCRainmaker website, more specifically this page or his most recent trainer guide from last fall. Also, do read the comments, it's one of the few sites where they're actually useful.

DC rainmaker is awesome - i don't buy anything without checking his website

aokoye

deannalfisher wrote: »

Machka9 wrote: »

aokoye wrote: »

I have a Wahoo Kickr Snap and I like it. I use it with TrainerRoad and with Zwift. If you want what is likely the best set of reivews on trainers go to the DCRainmaker website, more specifically this page or his most recent trainer guide from last fall. Also, do read the comments, it's one of the few sites where they're actually useful.

My next step will likely be a smart trainer, but it's just a bit out of the price range just now.

i'm finally making the jump - but its not going to be a direct drive one, but similar to a tradtional one where you leave rear wheel on (like the wahoo kickr snap - which is $599 i think) - i figure with christmas coming up and potential sales, i should be able to get a good deal

I do suggest also buying a trainer tire for your real wheel if you're going to get a wheel on trainer. The hassle is worth not dealing with the wear on your normal tire(s). My PT also has an interesting story about a tire having a rather impressive blow out after using it on her trainer with some frequency and then using it out on the road. The other option, of course, is buying a second inexpensive wheel with a cheap cassette for when you're on the trainer and just swapping wheels - I honestly think that's the more logical solution.

scorpio516

I use a dumb trainer with a published power curve on trainerroad. TR (and zwift and everyone else) will use cadence and speed to figure out the power. As long as the trainer is within spec, it's accurate.

A smart trainer in the $500 range would be better. If your in Europe, you can get a Tacx Satori smart for about 250 Euros. It's $400 in the US. It broadcasts power over ANT+ and BT.
There's the Bkool Smart Go which is about $400 too, that broadcasts power.

Then a wheel-off smart trainer for $700+ would be best. Anywhere from the Elite Direto ($800) to the Tacx Neo ($1500).

But go to DCRainmaker and read this: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/10/annual-trainer-recommendations.html

BrianSharpe

I've been using a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine (one of their older grey ones that I bought used) for several years along with youtube videos (there are lots of freebies out there that are quite good) but, budget permitting, am considering one of the smart trainers to get a more realistic training experience (apparently with the Tacx app you can download a strava file and simulate an actual course) as I've signed up for my first half-iron triathlon next spring and really want to focus on cycling fitness this winter.

Using a trainer is like any other piece of fitness equipment. It works if you use it consistently and train with purpose. Personally I enjoy the convenience of not having to go to the gym to work out, saves time & gas.

jjpptt2

Another "I have a road bike setup on a trainer" person...

How in shape it keeps me depends on how in shape I keep myself.

cwolfman13

I have an indoor trainer that I bought for winter weather last year. I wasn't nearly as consistent with using it because I really don't care for it too much in that I find it boring. Something like Zwift is intriguing, but I'm pretty sure my wife would blow a gasket if I went out and bought a smart trainer at this point. I did use it, but wasn't very consistent at all.

This year I have invested in some better cold weather riding gear...we don't get a lot of snow or anything so I just needed to get better cold weather gear so I can keep cycling outside. I plan on doing most of my cycling during my lunch breaks at work this winter like I used to...it's just too boring for me on the trainer. I will use it I'm sure, but I'm pretty much reserving my trainer for those occasions that it's really bad and no way am I getting outside.

BrianSharpe

[quote="cwolfman13;c-42497704" Something like Zwift is intriguing, but I'm pretty sure my wife would blow a gasket if I went out and bought a smart trainer at this point.

[/quote]

It's easier to beg forgiveness than to get permission.

MikePfirrman

Timely thread for me. I bought my daughter a pretty nice (though not Smart) trainer a few years ago. I've just recently heard about Sufferfest. Seems like a phenomenal app. Her trainer is one that can be calibrated for "virtual Watts" on Sufferfest, but I'm thinking that with a Wahoo Cadence/Power attachment to her bike and a Wahoo HRM it would be a lot more interactive for her. Anyone else do this or have other recommendations? She loved the looks of Sufferfest. I'm looking ahead at Christmas gift options for her.

aokoye

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I have an indoor trainer that I bought for winter weather last year. I wasn't nearly as consistent with using it because I really don't care for it too much in that I find it boring. Something like Zwift is intriguing, but I'm pretty sure my wife would blow a gasket if I went out and bought a smart trainer at this point. I did use it, but wasn't very consistent at all.

You can also use Zwift with a traditional trainer as long as you have a speed sensor and cadence sensor (either as two separate units or combined). This is assuming that your trainer has a power curve that is supported by Zwift which is very likely. Zwift has a page here that allows you to check if you trainer is supported. Scroll down to "classic trainer".

I do think use a smart trainer is more fun because of the gradient bit. What tipped me over edge into buying one was that I was recovering from my third knee surgery, knew that I was going to not be allowed to ride outside for three plus months, and knew that I'd have to do it all over again the next year.

aokoye

MikePfirrman wrote: »

Timely thread for me. I bought my daughter a pretty nice (though not Smart) trainer a few years ago. I've just recently heard about Sufferfest. Seems like a phenomenal app. Her trainer is one that can be calibrated for "virtual Watts" on Sufferfest, but I'm thinking that with a Wahoo Cadence/Power attachment to her bike and a Wahoo HRM it would be a lot more interactive for her. Anyone else do this or have other recommendations? She loved the looks of Sufferfest. I'm looking ahead at Christmas gift options for her.

I'm assuming by "Wahoo Cadence/Power attachment" you mean "speed/cadence". Wahoo doesn't make any power meters (I'm not including their trainers in that equation). I have their separate speed and cadence sensors (accelerometer ones) and I like them a lot. I like not having to deal with magnets that will inevitably shift and I've never had any issues with them dropping out. You might need a bluetooth or ANT+ dongle as well (both of which can be bought on amazon.com).

I've never used Sufferfest but they do have a seven day trial so she may as well try that. I know a lot of people like it. Their primary competitors are TrainerRoad and Zwift. I think it would make more sense for her to try it out and then for you to buy her a subscription than for her to not try it out and you just buy the subscription. If she doesn't the trial she can also try out the other two (among others). There are other bike apps that might be compatible with her trainer. Ray Maker (of DC Rainmaker) has a guide that goes through a lot of them, with links to longer reviews for some of the products, here.

I personally use TrainerRoad for the vast majority of my structured training and really like it. It's not nearly as interesting as Zwift but I like the structured workouts and plans a lot better than those on Zwift. I tend to watch TV or a movie while working out which works well in terms of not getting bored.

I don't know that a HR monitor would make anything more or less exciting, but if you want one that will connect to any of those apps it'll need to be bluetooth smart or ant+ compatible. There are a ton of options out there.

Machka9

aokoye wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I have an indoor trainer that I bought for winter weather last year. I wasn't nearly as consistent with using it because I really don't care for it too much in that I find it boring. Something like Zwift is intriguing, but I'm pretty sure my wife would blow a gasket if I went out and bought a smart trainer at this point. I did use it, but wasn't very consistent at all.

You can also use Zwift with a traditional trainer as long as you have a speed sensor and cadence sensor (either as two separate units or combined). This is assuming that your trainer has a power curve that is supported by Zwift which is very likely. Zwift has a page here that allows you to check if you trainer is supported. Scroll down to "classic trainer".

I do think use a smart trainer is more fun because of the gradient bit. What tipped me over edge into buying one was that I was recovering from my third knee surgery, knew that I was going to not be allowed to ride outside for three plus months, and knew that I'd have to do it all over again the next year.

Yes, that's how I use Zwift.

And what might tip me over to buying a smart trainer is my husband's work injury 5 months ago. I'm doing a whole lot more indoor cycling now because he can't ride outside yet ... and I live in a really hilly area ... and when I finally do get outside, I think I'm going to find the hills challenging again.

aokoye

Yeah I'm pretty sure training on the hills on Zwift with my smart trainer has been really helpful in terms of my ability to get through the climbing in the century I did earlier this summer as well as my ability to climb in general. I am also surrounded by hills and don't have hill that is a good fit for hill training near me. They're either not safe enough/safe enough to get to in terms of cars, too steep, or too short.

kcjchang

My first trainer was a Vetta purchased in 1989. Five years ago when I saddled back up after two plus decades away, I purchased a Kurt Kinetics Road Machine to get back into shape. It was replaced by an Elite Drivo in Dec 2016. I've used YouTube, Netflix, DVD movies, & Sufferfest videos to entertain myself but nothing been as effective as Zwift (since Dec 2016 also). I also played around with like interactive applications such as Elite Real, Road Grand Tours, VirtuGO, & Golden Cheetah but none has the same depth of interplay as Zwift. You don't really need a "smart" trainer but helps if you want to get the most out of Zwift and like applications. Consistency of virtual power, if available, can be very good If you are religious about the trainer setup (pre ride and per use, mostly applicable to wheel on trainers but the list including a few direct mount smart trainer models). I'm not the type so relied on HRM for training intensities before getting the Drivo (accurate and consistent; no pre ride ritual, just pedal and go). Using HRM had some limitations but since most of my workout were steady state below my maximum aerobic threshold so it didn't matter much except for the time limitation due to sweat (~1 hour before HRM goes haywire). I suggest you do a few test rides and decide what you want/need out of it before committing. The stuff can get pricey.