General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike trainer recommendations Rss Feed  
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2013-08-30 11:09 AM

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Veteran
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Austin, Texas
Subject: Bike trainer recommendations

Hey BT,

I have a pretty old (~7 years) Cyclops trainer that works, but I'm thinking about upgrading (gonna spend some time with it this winter when it's icy out!).  Looked for old threads, but came up with lots of advice about how to endure the drainer - but not much comparing the different ones (could be operator inefficiencies wrt search terms, admittedly).

What are your recommendations for the best upper-mid-priced system and the flat out best system (let's assume three tiers - budget, mid-price and expensive - I know that's different for everyone, so another way to put it is bottom/middle/top third in total dollar cost, looking at middle and top here)?

Many thanks!

Matt



2013-08-30 11:20 AM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Regular
234
10010025
Virginia
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
I have had the Kinetic Road Machine for a couple of years now and I think it is great. The resistance unit is well-made, and it gives me an excellent workout. Very consistent resistance. I have heard that their customer service is unbeatable, but fortunately I haven't had to use it (knock wood).
2013-08-30 11:24 AM
in reply to: MCA

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Member
120
100
Northern Ontario (near Lake Superior)
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Originally posted by MCA

I have had the Kinetic Road Machine for a couple of years now and I think it is great. The resistance unit is well-made, and it gives me an excellent workout. Very consistent resistance. I have heard that their customer service is unbeatable, but fortunately I haven't had to use it (knock wood).



X2
2013-08-30 11:27 AM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Veteran
706
500100100
Illinois
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
I have a Cyclops Fluid 2 and it works great. A bit noisy, but I haven't had any other issues or complaints with it. I also scored in n-i-b off craigslist for $150.
2013-08-30 11:28 AM
in reply to: Jigger

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Elite
7783
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations

I have both a Cycleops Fluid2 and a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.  They are both very good and I would be happy with either *except* the Cycleops is currently en route back to them because it was leaking and this unit was the replacement unit for the original one that I bought.  To their credit they have replaced it no questions asked even when I told them I bought it off ebay and it was more than 4 years old.

If I had to buy another one it would be another Kurt.

2013-08-30 11:28 AM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Expert
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San Luis Obispo, CA
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
I've had the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine for about two years. Really like it: well made, good resistance. My fiancee has the CycleOps Fluid 2. I haven't used it, but it looks very similar in quality. The one thing that I like better on the CycleOps is the mounting and adjustment of tension; The Kurt has screw adjustments and the CycleOps has levers. Seems much quicker and easier.


2013-08-30 11:29 AM
in reply to: blbriley

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Elite
7783
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations

Originally posted by blbriley I've had the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine for about two years. Really like it: well made, good resistance. My fiancee has the CycleOps Fluid 2. I haven't used it, but it looks very similar in quality. The one thing that I like better on the CycleOps is the mounting and adjustment of tension; The Kurt has screw adjustments and the CycleOps has levers. Seems much quicker and easier.

Agree with this, the levers on the Cycleops are nicer.

2013-08-30 11:30 AM
in reply to: 0

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
A good go-to reference for trainers (and lots of other gadgets!): http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/10/my-2012-trainer-recommendations-...

Edited by ratherbeswimming 2013-08-30 11:31 AM
2013-08-30 11:39 AM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Extreme Veteran
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Cypress, TX
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Wahoo KICKR
2013-08-30 11:51 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Elite
7783
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 Wahoo KICKR

I have no experience with the KICKR but there is a thread going on ST right now that leaves me feeling underwhelmed by it.

2013-08-30 11:55 AM
in reply to: MCA

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Veteran
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Maine
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Originally posted by MCA

I have had the Kinetic Road Machine for a couple of years now and I think it is great. The resistance unit is well-made, and it gives me an excellent workout. Very consistent resistance. I have heard that their customer service is unbeatable, but fortunately I haven't had to use it (knock wood).



Another vote for the Kurt Kinetic here, I've been very happy with it.


2013-08-30 11:55 AM
in reply to: axteraa

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Elite
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2000100010025
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Buy a KK or cyclops 2 fluid(I use) and don't look back! well worth it
2013-08-30 11:55 AM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Veteran
1677
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Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations

I originally bought a CycleOps Fluid 2 and liked it (really liked the levers, like a couple posters above were talking about), but returned it and bought a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine because TrainerRoad had done more extensive power curve testing on that one, and I wanted to use virtual power.

Since virtual power isn't an issue for you, either the CycleOps or the KK would work fine for you (assuming this would be kind of your budget/mid-price option, as they're in the $300 range, I believe).  My husband uses the KK Rock and Roll, but I'm not sure it's really worth the extra couple hundred dollars.

2013-08-30 12:16 PM
in reply to: FELTGood

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Master
2563
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University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Originally posted by FELTGood

Buy a KK or cyclops 2 fluid(I use) and don't look back! well worth it


^^^ This. I use a KK Road Machine for 98% of all my riding. I like it a lot. Best investment I ever made in cycling.
2013-08-30 12:51 PM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
I have a Kurt Kinetic and a Computrainer

I really like the KK I use it with Golden Cheetah. If you go mid/low end, no doubt the KK is the way to go.

The CT, well what can I say. Yes there are wires, yes their UI could be better, but it's a tank in terms of robustness and it is an incredible workout tool.

There are things you can do with an erg based trainer that you can not do with a KK
It's also nice to say "let's do 200 watts", put on a movie and let the CT worry about keeping me at 200 watts.
Ergvideo does a great job of real live videos and training programs

I have to buy 12 (yes, you read right) trainers and I think I'm going to go CT.

Wahoo....don't know. I to am underwhelmed, not to mention they don't return my emails when I want to buy 12, but hey.....
2013-08-30 1:12 PM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Master
2855
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Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Love my Lemond Revolution trainer

It seems to have come and gone and come back...so looks like it's available now.

This is a great trainer, loud because of the fan, but I don't mind it.

The best thing is no tire to wear out, and just pop the frame on the trainer and go !




2013-08-30 2:00 PM
in reply to: metafizx

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Veteran
513
500
Chicago (Old Town)
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
I'll add that the customer service at Kurt Kinetic is awesome! Mine got damaged after about 9 years (probably during my latest cross-country move). They have a crash replacement policy and the whole fluid-unit-thingy and spindle unit whatchamacallit was replaced for only $75 including shipping. It was a really good investment!
2013-08-30 4:05 PM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

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Member
111
100
Eastern Shore Maryland
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Very simple....Kurt Kenetic road machine and Trainerroad.com.
Nuff said

Not the cheapest trainer but worth every penny.
2013-08-30 5:00 PM
in reply to: Danbones

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Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
I found a "deal" on a CycleOps Fluid 2 winter kit on Craigslist that I'm picking up tomorrow.  It supposedly only has two 1/2-hr rides on it totaling 20mi.  It comes with the trainer, a training tire, 2 riser blocks, training mat, sweat catcher, skewer, DVD, and manual.  He was asking $300 and is taking $275.  I think this is a good deal, but having no knowledge/experience with trainers (beyond what I've found on this site) I don't really know.  Am I getting a good deal or is this pretty standard?  Thanks.
2013-08-30 5:01 PM
in reply to: blbriley

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations

Originally posted by blbriley I've had the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine for about two years. Really like it: well made, good resistance. My fiancee has the CycleOps Fluid 2. I haven't used it, but it looks very similar in quality. The one thing that I like better on the CycleOps is the mounting and adjustment of tension; The Kurt has screw adjustments and the CycleOps has levers. Seems much quicker and easier.

 

x2.  they're both very good.  the Cycleops has the better stand.  the KK has a more consistent power curve- so better if you use Trainerroad.com.  then again- with the cycleops tension clip thing, even tension (or compression) is more consistent on the cycleops- so maybe that's better for TrainerRoad?  heh heh heh.

 

but there are probably quite a few other good trainers out there.  these two are just the most common

2013-08-30 9:21 PM
in reply to: morey000


287
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Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Comptrainer is what I ride. Multiple software options.


2013-08-31 12:04 AM
in reply to: axteraa

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Extreme Veteran
1986
1000500100100100100252525
Cypress, TX
Subject: RE: Bike trainer recommendations
Originally posted by axteraa

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 Wahoo KICKR

I have no experience with the KICKR but there is a thread going on ST right now that leaves me feeling underwhelmed by it.

But there's a dozen other threads praising the KICKR.  People that are getting goofy numbers just don't have it calibrated properly.

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