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.