Bike Gurus - Bicycle Trainer

Don't have a lot of varied experience with trainers, none at all with a rim-driven trainer (though that RC-resistance looks intriguing). I do know that fluid trainers are the most quiet. The one I have uses air resistance and sounds like you're in the room with a propellor-driven aircraft. You have to wear headphones and crank the volume just to hear TV. Quiet would be better.

Sean,

I've not used either of those two, but I recenly purchased a fluid trainer (Cycleops) and I do like it. Its smooth and quiet. Have you looked into training DVD's? I have found the Spinnervals to be pretty challenging.

Not sure what kind of bike you have, but from what I've seen, the rim driven trainers are more for people with mountain bikes who don't want to change out their rear tires from knobby to slick. Knobby tires on a regular trainer are LOUD. I've had loud trainers in the past, and trust me, a quiet one is worth every penny, especially if you think you'll be spending a decent amount of time using it. Sanity retention is key. I'd vote for the fluid one.

I actually own the TravelTrac Century Fluid Plus - got it at Performance last year.

It works just fine - I used it all winter and I've occasionally used it throughout this season for late-night spinning when it's too dark to ride on the road. It's not too noisy, it adjusts easily, it folds up fairly small when not in use. It's plenty stable. I use the Spinervals DVD's or my own interval workouts and get a good workout with this trainer. Shifting up to my highest gears this trainer has plenty of resistance.

One thing to consider - I bought the Fluid Plus ($159.99) model to get the adjustable tension feature. In retrospect, i would have gone with the much cheaper TravelTrac Century Fluid trainer ($119.99) instead. I don't use the adjustable tension feature at all, I find that shifting gears on the bike increases/decreases the resistance as much as I need. So the tension adjuster just sits, unused, but it cost $40 more.

I couldn't tell if the Minoura model is a fluid trainer - it is called a 'rim-driven' trainer, whatever that is. When I was shopping for a trainer I was advised to seek out a fluid trainer, supposedly the resistance it provides is more 'realistic' - whatever that means? I think it refers to the way the trainer responds with increasing resistance when an increase in power output (when you shift up, for example). And like the previous posts state, the fluid trainers are quieter than the wind driven or magnetic resistance models

One last thing, make sure you get the Travel block ($8.99) with the trainer for your front wheel, otherwise you'll feel like you're falling downhill the whole time. http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16150&subcatego...

You might also consider swapping out your rear tire for trainer workouts. By the end of the winter my rear tire was worn down pretty bad by the trainer. This was in part because I didn't keep the tire pressure high, but there is a certain amount of wear and tear on the tire to be expected. Don't waste good racing tires on you trainer. I now keep my old tires for use on the trainer over the winter.



Edited by econway 2004-09-16 11:40 AM

I've not looked into the spinnervals dvd's i thought those were related to computrainers

All right ordered the Fluid Plus, a Spinervals DVD (1.0 No Slackers) and the travel block. And with the 20% saved $37. Im going to be the end of that coupon I just know it. Plus I get the upgraded shipping. Im all about the deals. Thanks for all the help.

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Looking forward to the "Product Reviews." Also wondering WHEN Performance is sending me my commission check!

Good choice! I'm using my second Century Fluid plus (my first one got killed in a flood). This trainer works great and the adjustable resistance is a great bonus. I have also tried the Minora Mag trainer and hated it, no consistency on the resistance and a lot more noise than the Performance trainer.

If anyone else is looking for a fluid trainer, check ebay. Lots out there for a great deal.

I'd also like to second the Spinervals vote. 1.0 "No Slackers" is a killer, good luck. ;-)

I have a Minoura mag trainer.... but I would prefer the fluid trainer because it is quieter and because of the way the resistance increases. The fluid trainer resistance is more realistic. The mag trainer resistance increases as you pedal faster (or adjust the tension or both) but it doesn't account for air resistance as the fluid trainers do. So... the mag trainer is more of a linear increase not realistic and the fluid is more like an exponential increase.. more realistic.

I still great a great workout from the mag trainer though

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Ok, probably a dumb question. If I were to get a trainer now (I have a MTB), would it work when I get a road bike?

sorry lara were not nearly as clever

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