Cycling: Road vs Trainer vs Stationary

Well, a stationary ride is better than watching Oprah  

I think my indoor trainer was in the $120 or so range.  If you can afford it, I think it's a worthwhile investment, you can do a lot of nice HIM specific training on the trainer, and the plus is you are on your own bike.

In general, Road > Trainer > Stationary > Oprah 

X2 road > trainer > stationarystationaries can be nice, but the problem you run into is that the fit will not be the same as your bike. I rode a stationary for a winter and when I got out on my road bike I didn't feel like I had gotten ANY riding in. HOWEVER, when moving from the trainer outside I felt INCREDIBLY strong.I don't remember who it was, but on a trainer thread, someone commented that if you invest in a trainer invest in a good one. They will last you MANY seasons, and if you're relatively serious about triathlon you will get your money back 10 fold. I was on a mag trainer for 2 seasons but got a kurt kinetic fluid trainer... I LOVE my kurt kinetic trainer, feels pretty close to the real thing and makes riding it that much more bearable.Personally I would suggest investing in a trainer you won't regret it.

Edited by menglo 2010-01-16 3:59 PM

And that can lead to injuries. If you can get a stationary bike set up to fit you properly, go for it.

But if you just go into the gym, slide a few things around until it feels OK, then hammer for 90 minutes, well, don't. Injury is sure to follow.

Buy the trainer. They last forever and you will never be sorry you picked one up.

Mike

My wife and I each got magnetic trainers from a used sporting goods store for relatively low cost. Mine is a CycleOps and I got it for $99 and hers is something out of the '80s that we paid $50 for and it works just as well. Doesn't cost much to at least give a look around at some local stores and on Craigs List.

I'm doing 1-2 of my rides per week this winter on the spin bikes at the gym.  The spin classes get me on the bike better than I manage to get myself on the trainer.  Also, I tend to go too easy on the trainer and the classes help me remember to push it better.

That said, I agree with the guy who said this "outside>trainer>spin>Oprah" though I think the trainer and spin are about the same.   If you don't have the cash for a trainer, don't sweat it.  Just get outside on any days that the weather is halfway decent. 

IMO It's not always road > trainer

Depends on what you are doing.

 No way I could do some killer intervals outside, just too many variables.

Granted it's more fun to be outside but not necessarily better training.

And back on topic, Yes pick up a trainer, going to be much better than any spin bike/class.

Edited by dalessit 2010-01-23 8:36 AM

As for buying a trainer, any recommendations??  magnetic vs fluid vs rollers...too many choices

fluid is quieter than mag. by a lot

Rollers are different than other trainers and take some getting used to.

If cost is really a huge issue, consider borrowing one until you can afford a nice one. A lot of people buy trainers (and bikes!) thinking they are really getting into cycling or triathlon and then lose interest. Ask around and chance are someone you know has a trainer sitting in their garage collecting dust. That should get you thru the rest of the winter.

I am in the same position as you, trying to do this without breaking the bank. I found a used Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer on Craigslist. Since I had done some research and it seemed these things last forever, I went ahead and bought it. I LOVE it, and my husband, who previously professed zero interest in bikes (or triathlon, sniff, sniff) has hopped on it already.

I live in Chicago so riding outside is not really feasible a lot of times...and it is so convenient to have it in the house...I have already done a LOT more biking than I would have otherwise. My gym is clobbered right now and it is a bloodbath trying to get into a spin class or on a stationery. This is SO much better!

G'luck!