Recommendations for a trainer???
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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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Replies
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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!0
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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