cayrip's and AbbieR's Mentor Group - Closed (Page 10)

I can't help you here but I am interested in everyone's responses as I am in the market for a wetsuit this spring too.

Xavi - terrific job with your HM debut - honestly, I am in awe that you could travel and then run so well.

I have a Kurt Kinetic road machine.  Just got it and I really like it.  Very quiet (well, I don't have any other trainer experience so I can't compare, but it seems quiet to me) and easy to deal with.  It is the less expensive model compared to the rock n roll (which is very cool btw).

Thanks for the goggle advice - I think I just have to go try a bunch on.

Cat

I ride a cyclops magnetic and my brother and friend ride thier fluid version.  There really isn't a noticable sound difference between the two.  They both also have a warm-up period during which the resistance is higher.  After ten minutes you can feel the trainer warm-up and it becomes more roadlike.  The sensation is very slight but if you are paying attention, there is a difference.

With trainers you get what you pay for.  Going cheap here means more noise and less road like feeling.  I don't think brand makes that much difference though as the mechanics of fluids and magnetics really don't change that much between brands.  Go to a store such as REI where the staff should be trained to tell you the differences in the models they sell.  I like REI because if your purchase doesn't meet your expectations, they will take it back--no questions asked.  I'm sure good local bike shops have the same policy as customers are very valuable to them.

Ask if you can ride the trainer for 10 minutes or so before you buy it to see if you like it and to get through the warm-up period.  If they say no...walk out and go somewhere else.  If you can't try it in the store, then it is my opinion that the store doesn't need your business especially if you are going to drop $300 for a trainer.

I have to ask a rookie question.  My tri training schedule sometimes calls for 500 sw, 400 pull, 300 kick, 200 sw, 100 pull.   I don't know the difference between sw, pull, and kick.  I mean, I have a guess, but can anyone help me with exactly what those mean?

Without looking at the legend for your swim workouts I'm guessing the

sw = swim.  This could mean freestyle of swim whatever stroke you want depending on the source. 

Pull means that you only use your arms.  Typically people hold a small bouy between their legs and don't kick at all.  Some people even use paddles on their hands to really emphasis upper body work.

Kick means no arms and just legs.  You can use a board to keep your hands floating or do these the hard way with no floatation device.  As with the pull you can add fins to make the workout more pronouced on your legs.

I hope this helps.

I can't think of anything to say....only 100 days.  Mentally I'm ready, physically no way...it would be a long day but I shouldn't be ready yet.