Discussion: Bike trainers

Mine is pooched. Need a replacement. Any advice on what to go with.

Also, the bike I have on my current trainer is also pooched. The combination is pretty old. Before I put a new(er) bike on a new machine... are these things hard on bikes for some reason? Do most people ride thier '#1' bike on the trainer in the winter, or pound away on a 'lesser' bike?

I am on my third... maybe fourth year with this:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PROD...

I've also used this one (I think):

http://cyclesmith.ca/product/cycleops-mag-trainer-...

I like the MEC one... not the quietest thing out there but it works. The cycleops one was louder and the one I had had an adjustable tension thing that never worked.

I only have a cyclecross bike that I use for the road, 'cross and training so yea, I do use my #1! As long as you have it clamped properly and you don't rock all over the place your dropouts should be fine, but check for paint chipping or rubbing. Also, don't leave your element on the wheel, that spot loads the wheel and won't do any good.

Rollers are the way to go.
http://www.kreitler.com/
I like to go out and run an hour or so and then come in and ride. I use them for form and then fitness. if you get the 2.25 it will work you. And they are dead quiet.

Fb, don't you dare get rollers in the leadup to the world's. Just don't. I'm not fixing your drywall either.

'Bent and I both have this trainer, which gets good reviews.
http://www.1upusa.com/bike_trainer.html

I've never used any other type of trainer and 'Bent has only used rollers, so we don't have much to compare it to, but we like it.

Tacx make a number of good ones as well. With most of their models you are able to measure watts for more consistant workouts. http://www.tacx.com/producten/ergotrainers/flow/in...

+1 on the 1-UP trainer. I have a Taxc but had nothing but problems with it since I bought it a few years ago. I've heard nothing but great things about the 1-UP, I'd buy it if I didn't have my spin bike now.

Just got a set of parabolic rollers and they are great. If you need to just sit in the doorway for safety until you get the hang of them but shouldnt take more than 30mins if you already have good technique and bike handling skills (they can be wobbly) Plus they really force you to ride well. Using winter wheels on my regular road bike but a mountain bike can also be used on the rollers.

I got good at riding hands-free on the rollers, but only on my wedgie road bike. I could take off my shirt, etc. I also added plastic paddle-wheel-type blades to my front wheel to increase resistance and cooling. Not applicable to my 'bents, the 1-Up works well on my old 'bent with a trainer-specific tire in the Adventure Basement.

Fiola, where did you get yours? Riding around Zuri right now is treacherous, and if I'm going to keep up with you and those Danes (because you're carrying all my gear, right?), I need to get some time on the bike!

Interesting read on the 1-UP. I've never heard of this company before, but on MTBR.com, they get really good reviews. Are they as good as they sound? What is the noise level? (i.e. how much do you have to raise TV volume?)

Hard to quantify. I'm told they're relatively quiet but I've never tried any other trainer. The noise level is about the same as our kayak erg. I've started wearing cordless headphones when I use our training machines so it doesn't really matter anymore! We're northwest of Toronto, and if you're heading up this way to try your new XC skis, you'd be welcome to bring your bike for a training session in our basement. E-mail me if you're interested.

Thanks for the offer! Yes, you've caught onto my winter training plan... get as much winter trianing gear as possible so I don't have another February with 0 minutes of logged exercise.