Recommendations for a trainer???
lklkl5
Posts: 113 Member
Hello everyone, rather new to biking. Hubby and I bought comfort bikes a couple months ago. We ride 12-15 miles, 2-3 times a week. I live in the Houston area, so we are now approaching our bad weather season (hot and humid). Anyone have any suggestions for a good trainer, for those days we can't get out early enough or late enough (i.e. cool enough)?
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I've have, over time, acquired quite a collection of trainers. It starting in the 80's with a Sugergo wind trainer (rear wheel spins a turbine), a Minoura rim-drive with a magnetic resistance unit, a Cyclops that has a fluid resistance unit, and a set of rollers.
Of these, my favorite are the rollers but they are an acquired taste. They require a lot of practice initially and I wouldn't recommend them for your first trainer. I would however, recommend a fluid trainer. They are quite quiet and are pretty easy to set up.
The one thing that all trainers have in common, is that they are Boring (note the capital
. So, you'll need music or TV as a distraction. They make you heat up ALOT, so you'll also need to have a fan pointed at you as you workout.
Whichever brand/type you settle on, you will definitely get a good workout though.0 -
If you're looking for a really nice one, the Cycleops ones seem to be pretty much THE choice (starting at $350 and going over $1000).
If you're looking for something a little cheaper, Performance Bike's Travel Trac trainers are not bad and cost about half of the lowest Cycleops (starting about $150).
Both of those are fluid or a combination of fluid and magnetic. You can go even cheaper if you get a fan-trainer, but that will sound like a jet engine straining on take off. Not fun for anyone else who is home.
Definitely get a fan. Without the cooling effect of you moving through the air, you will heat up fast. Be sure to drink a LOT of fluids.
It helps to set up the trainer where you can watch TV, listen to music, or both. It takes a certain mental focus to learn to not be bored.0 -
I have a Tacx Genius Turbo Trainer; very expensive, but well worth it IMHO!
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if it's going to be too hot and humid outdoors, I've got to assume that you're going to be using the trainer indoors in an air-conditioned room - because this winter, in a unheated garage, probably around 2-3c, I needed 2 fans to keep cool, and a mop to clear the floor of sweat afterwards...
If that's the case, then fine - I'd second the Tacx trainers - I've the slightly downmarket version from cloggsy71 - the Bushido, which is good, but frankly, if I was buying again, i'd spend the extra and get the Genius, purely because its capable of providing more powerful/accurate braking forces for climbing drills...0 -
My trainer's name is Hans, he is very good, his brother Franz is also excellent. I can give you their numbers. They will pump you up!0
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CycleOps Fluid 2 and the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine seem to be where price point and power curve reliability meet.
Oh and I live in Houston. Weather is just starting to get good. Ride outside.0 -
I also should have mentioned that I ride the RacerMate CompuTrainer. I love it to death and think it's the best training tool I've ever bought, but at $1500 it's a bit more than most people want to spend.0
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Computrainers are great. Especially when you live in a flat location and have a race in the hills.0
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Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Scott091501, I have been enjoying the lovely spring for riding this year but I would hardly call our summers "good" for riding. LOL To each his own, I guess!0
