General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Fluid trainer or mag trainer? Rss Feed  
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2009-10-07 8:21 PM

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Subject: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
I thought I wanted a fluid trainer. I went to the LBS to get one and I was talking to the owner. He did not recommend fluid trainers because he felt the resistance is to high for high cadence workouts. He recommended a mag trainer as he thinks they offer better high cadence capability. I have used a fluid trainer at other bike shops and thought they were fine. I try to spin between 80 and 90 RPM once in a while I do a spinerval DVD that has a session around 120 RPM. What do you think? I currently have a 1 up USA trainer and hate it.

Kevin  


2009-10-07 8:23 PM
in reply to: #2448709

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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?

I have a mag trainer that I am not happy with.  Doesn't hold tension.  Not getting the kind of workout I should when I use it. 

2009-10-07 8:27 PM
in reply to: #2448709

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Pro
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
I've had a Blackburn Mag Trainer and now have a Kurt Kinetic Fluid trainer.  I can get high cadence workouts on both.  The fluid trainer feels like it more closely matches the exertion level required on the road.
2009-10-07 8:36 PM
in reply to: #2448709

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Pro
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Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
Can't compare to mag trainers as I have never had one but I have a Cycleops fluid 2 and love it.
2009-10-07 9:19 PM
in reply to: #2448709

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In front of computer when typing this.
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
chevy57 - 2009-10-07 9:21 PM I thought I wanted a fluid trainer. I went to the LBS to get one and I was talking to the owner. He did not recommend fluid trainers because he felt the resistance is to high for high cadence workouts. He recommended a mag trainer as he thinks they offer better high cadence capability. I have used a fluid trainer at other bike shops and thought they were fine. I try to spin between 80 and 90 RPM once in a while I do a spinerval DVD that has a session around 120 RPM. What do you think? I currently have a 1 up USA trainer and hate it.

Kevin  


His statement doesn't make much sense to me- you can just change to an easier gear to spin faster with the same effort.
2009-10-08 3:38 AM
in reply to: #2448709

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Veteran
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Sun Prairie, WI
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
I also call BS and would seek advise elsewhere. IIRC, most if not every Spinervals DVD they use Kurt Kinetic trainers, which are ALL fluid trainers.  If these fluid trainers can work through all of those crazy Spinervals workouts, I think they will work fine for your riding purposes. 

I really like my KK Pro. I recently got it but have done a few rides where my cadence is typically around 85-95 and spikes to 115-ish. Has kept up just fine with me! 

Edited by blindman10 2009-10-08 3:40 AM


2009-10-08 5:06 AM
in reply to: #2448709

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
OK,

I thought the same thing. I use this bike shop ofter and the guy usually gives me good advice. I thought he was off on this one and it happened that he does not stock the fluid trainer. He can order it of course. Thanks I am going to get a fluid trainer.

Kevin 
2009-10-08 7:57 AM
in reply to: #2448968

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Cycling Guru
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
No, it is not BS.

Fluid trainers are progressive resistance.  The faster you go, the faster the resistance increases.  Which is NOT what happens on the road.  A mag trainer provides linear resistance, it is a constant depending on which setting you have it on.
2009-10-08 8:46 AM
in reply to: #2448968

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Master
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Ann Arbor, MI
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
chevy57 - 2009-10-08 6:06 AM

OK,

I thought the same thing. I use this bike shop ofter and the guy usually gives me good advice. I thought he was off on this one and it happened that he does not stock the fluid trainer. He can order it of course. Thanks I am going to get a fluid trainer.

Kevin 


I 100% agree with Daremo. Mag trainers and fluid trainers are very different, and your LBS guy is not feeding you a line of BS.
Here is a helpful article from Blackburn:
http://www.blackburndesign.com/Blackburn_Tech_Trainers_web.pdf

I will quote this for you:
"Myth #3: Fluid resistance trainers provide a more “realistic” and “accurate” road feel
overall.
Reality: Fluid and magnetic
trainers each display distinctively
different resistance curve
qualities; but the “most realistic
and accurate road feel” is highly
dependent on the end user’s
perception of ‘real world riding,’
how that rider uses the trainer,
and on the rider’s ultimate training
goals.
• Mag trainers display a generally
linear (and often adjustable, but
still linear) resistance curve that
simulates relatively flat roads,
cruising/higher speeds, and pack
riding.
• Fluid trainers tend towards a
sharper, more “progressive”
resistance curve which models
climbing or riding into a headwind.
• Mag trainers are generally more
accurate for low-end resistance,
fluid units typically do better in
the middle of the curve.
• Neither technology is particularly
accurate at the high end of
the resistance curve."


Personally, I am a very light rider, so a fluid trainer creates a lot of resistance for me, and I cannot maintain the same cadence and watts that I can on the road. I basically have to use a magnetic trainer, and play with the settings, to get the correct cadence and watts that I am used to, and I just can't use a fluid trainer. My fiance prefers the fluid trainer, and can spin at a higher cadence and still use the same gear ratio that he can on the road- so it works for him.
2009-10-08 8:59 AM
in reply to: #2448709

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Master
1996
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Woodbridge , Virginia
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
I had a mag trainer.. hated it. noisy and didn't feel smooth.. i took it back the next and purchased a cyclops fluid trainer.. awesome.. quiet.. smooth..
2009-10-08 11:02 AM
in reply to: #2448709

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Pro
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Twin Cities
Subject: RE: Fluid trainer or mag trainer?
I have both, and prefer my mag.


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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Fluid trainer or mag trainer? Rss Feed