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Post by T Sava on Nov 28, 2007 13:17:52 GMT -5
Can anyone recommend a good bike trainer? I am trying to decide between buying rollers or a fluid trainer. Can you control resistance on rollers? Any recommendations on type/brand would be appreciated.
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Post by jetlink on Nov 28, 2007 14:48:20 GMT -5
Do you need to be mobile with the trainer or will you just be riding at home?
Is there a budget?
How long have you been cycling - is this a long time passion or something that you want to try?
Just curious - these questions will help get you the trainer that is best suited for you though.
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Post by T Sava on Nov 28, 2007 15:17:35 GMT -5
I think I am really just looking for something at home. I am not looking for anything state of the art but something in the $200-$400 range would be doable I think. I had a mag trainer a while back, and wasnt too happy with it. I heard good things about rollers and fluid trainers but dont know which way to go.
I have done 10 or so olympic and sprint triathlons and would like to get better and go for longer distance starting next summer. I just moved to Cleveland from down south and never really did much indoor training. I find it a bit colder up here (and yes, I realize its still only November).
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Post by MattCollister on Nov 28, 2007 17:20:35 GMT -5
I have a set of Cyclops rollers that I like. Although I think Kreitlers are sort of the gold standard of rollers. Look for rollers with aluminum drums (instead of PVC).
I do have some kind of magnetic resistance thingy on my rollers which I've frankly never used. You can change resistance by changing gears (as you do with a trainer).
Rollers are fun. If you've never ridden them before, it'll take a couple of frustrating sessions before you get the hang of them. You'll probably want to ride them on a road bike instead of a tri bike. But keep with it, and next spring your pedal stroke will be smooth as silk!
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Post by sarajean on Nov 29, 2007 12:08:39 GMT -5
Last month, my husband bought me a fluid trainer because our training area isn't big enough to operate rollers safely. (It's also not big enough to operate a treadmill safely, but I just accept that if I make a misstep, I'm going to get slammed into the wall...)
We shopped at Century Cycle, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Bike Authority. All three of them had the same fluid trainer in stock. I believe it was the Cyclops 3. Taking into account CTC discounts, the best price on the trainer was at Bike Authority, so that's where we got it.
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Post by keaveny on Nov 29, 2007 13:59:54 GMT -5
This is something I've been considering. It seems trainers are less expensive generally than rollers, but is the benefit of them also less?
I hate to think most of my "bike time" this winter will be on a stationary bike and have been considering buying rollers or a trainer.
Any preference between the two?
Thanks
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Post by jetlink on Nov 29, 2007 15:37:04 GMT -5
Hey T Sava,
If you get a trainer - then you won't go wrong with the CycleOps Fluid...BUT, you said you weren't so happy with your Mag trainer and the Fluid will be the same thing just more quiet.
So, maybe consider the rollers although as Matt says - it'll take some getting used to and you may find your first few training sessions result in some bruises instead of increased aerobic capability:-)
The nice thing about the Fluid - if that is what you decide - is that you can easily take it with you.....maybe even to Akron (do you live close to Akron?) for some training sessions with Pete Gladden and the others at Excell......great place to take your new trainer and make your workouts more "interesting"................
Anyhow, good luck with your decision.
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Post by keaveny on Nov 30, 2007 9:58:06 GMT -5
I am getting the picture there is little difference between a trainer and rollers, simply personal preference.
Correct? If so, I noticed Bike Authority is selling demo mag trainers (lightly used) for $90, I think. For a novice like me, seems like I can't go wrong, eh?
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Post by Aussie Rob on Nov 30, 2007 10:11:42 GMT -5
The difference is that on a trainer, you're supported. It basically bolts onto your bike and you ride it like a stationary bike. You don't have to balance.
Rollers don't support you in any way. When you ride them, it's like riding outside, which means you can fall. They don't have the same resistance though.
Rollers help develop form and bike handling skills. Trainers develop power because they have resistance.
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Post by keaveny on Nov 30, 2007 10:30:05 GMT -5
Rollers help develop form and bike handling skills. Trainers develop power because they have resistance. That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks. I need it all, but I think I'll go with the trainer for winter. More power! |
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Post by karming on Nov 30, 2007 10:39:25 GMT -5
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think fluid trainers might be better than mag trainers as they provide a better variable resistance which simulates the outdoors better and is speed dependent.
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Post by keaveny on Nov 30, 2007 10:45:24 GMT -5
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think fluid trainers might be better than mag trainers as they provide a better variable resistance which simulates the outdoors better and is speed dependent. Here is what Dave wrote above: "then you won't go wrong with the CycleOps Fluid...BUT, you said you weren't so happy with your Mag trainer and the Fluid will be the same thing just more quiet." Other opinions? |
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Post by sarajean on Nov 30, 2007 13:05:05 GMT -5
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think fluid trainers might be better than mag trainers as they provide a better variable resistance which simulates the outdoors better and is speed dependent. Here is what Dave wrote above: "then you won't go wrong with the CycleOps Fluid...BUT, you said you weren't so happy with your Mag trainer and the Fluid will be the same thing just more quiet." Other opinions? If you don't like the feeling of being on a bike that stays in one place no matter what you do, then the type of resistance probably won't make a difference and you'd be better off with the challenge of rollers. However, if you dislike the magnetic trainer because of the way the resistance feels, then a fluid trainer might be the solution. |
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Post by keaveny on Nov 30, 2007 15:20:00 GMT -5
Here is what Dave wrote above: "then you won't go wrong with the CycleOps Fluid...BUT, you said you weren't so happy with your Mag trainer and the Fluid will be the same thing just more quiet." Other opinions? If you don't like the feeling of being on a bike that stays in one place no matter what you do, then the type of resistance probably won't make a difference and you'd be better off with the challenge of rollers. However, if you dislike the magnetic trainer because of the way the resistance feels, then a fluid trainer might be the solution. I am so new to this I don't know what I like or don't yet (except that I might enjoy running more if I could shed 10 more lbs). I guess my preference is to be able to train over the winter on my own bike rather than a stationary one at the rec center. Does that make sense? |
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Post by sarajean on Nov 30, 2007 15:37:23 GMT -5
I am so new to this I don't know what I like or don't yet (except that I might enjoy running more if I could shed 10 more lbs). I guess my preference is to be able to train over the winter on my own bike rather than a stationary one at the rec center. Does that make sense? Makes sense to me. I'm rather new to this myself, but I know from the experience of treadmill-buying that there are various reasons one may dislike a piece of exercise equipment. I found I couldn't stand running on the cheap, wobbly, noisy piece of garbage my husband and I had bought from a department store, but I did fine on a quiet, gym-quality treadmill we got at a store specializing in high-end fitness equipment. I made my fluid trainer purchase based on what I knew about myself (I don't mind exercising in one place as long as I have a good DVD) and what I'd heard from more experienced cyclists (most seem to prefer the feel of a fluid trainer over a magnetic trainer). |
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mnowac
Olympic Member
"Once in awhile you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right" JG
Posts: 117
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Post by mnowac on Dec 5, 2007 15:24:50 GMT -5
Just FYI. I was at the Bike Authority last night and they have cycleops ( i believe they were trek brand..) on sale for Xmas for $399 and that comes packaged with a climbing block. They also had some floor model Mag trainers for $89. I got one of those b/c I am cheap  |
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Post by Eric on Dec 15, 2007 9:06:34 GMT -5
Am I too late to the party?
I have both a fluid trainer and rollers. I started with the trainer and got rollers to add variety.
Stand trainers like the Cycleops are an important tool no matter what. Even the pros use their trainers during the spring and summer when they have specific workouts to do. It's hard to do a hard interval set when traffic and stop lights keep interupting your tempo. You are also able to simulate hill work outs by using a wood block or box to lift the front wheel. Single leg drills are much easier on a trainer, even though I have a friend who does those drills on rollers. For a very long indoor session a trainer can allow you to drift off and watch the TV more intently.
Rollers have their benefits also. You MUST have a smooth pedal stroke in order to stay upright on rollers. I've gone down a couple of times more because of a lack of attention than anything else. Just like on the road you need to steer the bike since both wheels are moving. With practice you can learn to stand while on the bike, grab for the water bottle, use the TV remote, ride no handed, but the focus and concentration must always remain on the bike. Most roller models allow for a resistance unit to be mounted on the back.
Each option is unique but they both have benefits. No matter what you need to be able to enjoy your choice.
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