General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Trainer Rss Feed  
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2011-12-19 6:58 PM

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New user
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Subject: Bike Trainer

i know... another trainer thread. 

 

BUT, my question is: do I buy a mag trainer now, and hope to upgrade to a more expensive fluid trainer in the future once i get some time on it? with it being my first trainer, i don't want to drop a ton of $$ and not know it i will like using a trainer, but i don't want to buy a magnetic resistance one, and immediately realize that i want a fluid one.

noise should not be an issue. it will be used in my basement on concrete floor w/ carpet or rubber pad completely away from the rest of the house.

Money is not the biggest issue. i just had a birthday and still have to give my wife a christmas present idea, so as long as it is worth it, i'm not totally opposed to getting a nice trainer.

 

TIA

Gibby



2011-12-19 7:10 PM
in reply to: #3944893

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Pro
6582
50001000500252525
Melbourne FL
Gold member
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
I bought a KK Fluid via Craigslist, never regretted it!  Go for the fluid and a KK if you can.
2011-12-19 7:11 PM
in reply to: #3944893

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Veteran
627
50010025
Prairie Village, Kansas
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
I was in the same position as you, and didn't want to drop mucho dinero on my first trainer.  I eventually decided on getting the Travel Trac Fluid + trainer.  It is one of the more cheaper fluid trainers I found, and honestly couldn't recommend it enough.  It is much cheaper than the usual trainer brands (Cycleops, KK, Computrainer duh), and has the ability to add resistance.  Check out my blog, not trying to get hits or anything, but I did just write up a review on the trainer if you are interested....
2011-12-19 7:14 PM
in reply to: #3944893

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2011-12-19 7:14 PM
in reply to: #3944893

Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
Can you try them out at the LBS? If so, do so.

There is a difference. General suggestion is get a CycleOps Fluid2 or a Kurt Kinetic fluid of any stripe on sale and you've got about as good as it gets for general use trainers (non-computrainers)

2011-12-19 8:42 PM
in reply to: #3944916

New user
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Subject: RE: Bike Trainer

m.a.burghart - 2011-12-19 7:11 PM I was in the same position as you, and didn't want to drop mucho dinero on my first trainer.  I eventually decided on getting the Travel Trac Fluid + trainer.  It is one of the more cheaper fluid trainers I found, and honestly couldn't recommend it enough.  It is much cheaper than the usual trainer brands (Cycleops, KK, Computrainer duh), and has the ability to add resistance.  Check out my blog, not trying to get hits or anything, but I did just write up a review on the trainer if you are interested....

 

Thanks man. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!



2011-12-19 8:44 PM
in reply to: #3945086

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
GibbyJHawk - 2011-12-19 8:42 PM

m.a.burghart - 2011-12-19 7:11 PM I was in the same position as you, and didn't want to drop mucho dinero on my first trainer.  I eventually decided on getting the Travel Trac Fluid + trainer.  It is one of the more cheaper fluid trainers I found, and honestly couldn't recommend it enough.  It is much cheaper than the usual trainer brands (Cycleops, KK, Computrainer duh), and has the ability to add resistance.  Check out my blog, not trying to get hits or anything, but I did just write up a review on the trainer if you are interested....

 

Thanks man. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Ha, I only clicked on this thread to see if you were a Kansas guy
I was right!

  

2011-12-19 8:48 PM
in reply to: #3944915

Master
2642
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Bloomington, MN
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer

Donto - 2011-12-19 7:10 PM I bought a KK Fluid via Craigslist, never regretted it!  Go for the fluid and a KK if you can.

X2.  Well worth the investment.

2011-12-19 10:22 PM
in reply to: #3945102

Extreme Veteran
682
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Mendenhall, MS
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
Buckshot - 2011-12-19 8:48 PM

Donto - 2011-12-19 7:10 PM I bought a KK Fluid via Craigslist, never regretted it!  Go for the fluid and a KK if you can.

X2.  Well worth the investment.

X3  Love the KK

 

2011-12-19 10:30 PM
in reply to: #3944893

Master
1799
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Houston
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer

Don't be afraid to check Craigs list etc.  There can be good trainers for sale and things don't seem to wear out.

I went pretty low end with both of mine (one for me and one for the wife) but we seem to get pretty good workouts in. 

However, now that I'm using TrainerRoad I'd prefer one with a smooth power curve so I know my numbers are accurate.

2011-12-20 4:21 AM
in reply to: #3945256

Pro
6011
50001000
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
NewClydesdale - 2011-12-19 11:30 PM

However, now that I'm using TrainerRoad I'd prefer one with a smooth power curve so I know my numbers are accurate.

X2. A decent fluid trainer like CycleOps or Kurt Kenetic is worth it if you have any interest in training with power, but no immediate plans to buy a PM.


2011-12-20 5:53 AM
in reply to: #3944893

Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
I just got a Nashbar (I know a lot of people hate Nashbar and have shared horror stories with me about their service and sales) fluid trainer with Watt meter and am thrilled with it. In general it is an accurate on watts and has very little slippage. In my opinion it is comparable to Kinetic and cycleops (since I have tried both) but at a fraction of the cost. GO fluid though my training has improved 10 fold since I switched
2011-12-20 7:37 AM
in reply to: #3945256

Extreme Veteran
645
50010025
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
NewClydesdale - 2011-12-19 11:30 PM

Don't be afraid to check Craigs list etc.  There can be good trainers for sale and things don't seem to wear out.

I went pretty low end with both of mine (one for me and one for the wife) but we seem to get pretty good workouts in. 

However, now that I'm using TrainerRoad I'd prefer one with a smooth power curve so I know my numbers are accurate.

This is why I vote for KK Fluid (or cycleops).  I had a Travel Trac fluid 2, but since Trainerroad didn't list them, and it looked like I'd be using it, returned it for a KK Road Machine.

I like the weighted wheel on the Kurt Kinetic, it makes for a more realistic feel than the Travel Trac.  Can't really speak to tire wear since I didn't use the Travel Trac that much.

The bigger challenge will be your sanity, no matter what trainer you get.  I'm finding that:

(Trainerroad+sufferfest) = (sanity+exhaustion)

 

2011-12-20 10:40 AM
in reply to: #3944893

New user
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Subject: RE: Bike Trainer

Thanks to all.

 

I did see the Nashbar ones for a decent price, and the Travel Trac one looks like a nice entry fluid trainer as well.

 

i'll probably be picking one of these up, unless i can find a nicer used one on Craigslist for around the same price.

2011-12-20 11:06 AM
in reply to: #3944893

Veteran
213
100100
Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer

I have a KK Rock and Roll (non pro flywheel) and a friend is currently using it while dealing with an injury.  It has the Power computer with it.  I recently picked up a Lemond Revolution trainer and a Power Pilot.  The Lemond is quieter than the KK.  The Pilot gives more accurate readings too. The KK with a pro flywheel would give a tougher workout but I am very happy with the Lemond.

 

Check Craigslist after Christmas for some possible deals



Edited by Buddha4 2011-12-20 11:07 AM
2011-12-20 3:40 PM
in reply to: #3945950

Master
2701
2000500100100
Salisbury, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
I wanted a KK also but ended up spending $120 an Ascent Fluid trnr from Performance. It has all the resistance I will ever need, is very quiet and if it ever breaks I'm taking it back and will have $120 credit.

It has far exceeded my expectations and I didn't have to spend $250-300.


2011-12-20 8:21 PM
in reply to: #3944893

Veteran
294
100100252525
Mission Viejo,
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
Fluid.  Cycleops or KK. Nuff said. 
2011-12-21 7:03 PM
in reply to: #3944893

Member
445
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Subject: RE: Bike Trainer

We have both the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and a CycleOps. I LOVE the KK. I have given the CycleOps to my son and his bike stays hooked up to it. My husband and I have to constantly switch our bikes out to use the KK, but it's worth it. I have seen them on CraigsList.

 

Good luck!

2011-12-21 7:45 PM
in reply to: #3944893

Master
1704
1000500100100
Charlotte
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
The main problem with a mag trainer is that you have to turn the TV up to like 80 to hear it. 
2011-12-21 8:48 PM
in reply to: #3948880

Elite
4148
2000200010025
Utah
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
mmez - 2011-12-21 6:03 PM

We have both the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and a CycleOps. I LOVE the KK. I have given the CycleOps to my son and his bike stays hooked up to it. My husband and I have to constantly switch our bikes out to use the KK, but it's worth it. I have seen them on CraigsList.

 

Good luck!


^^^ SAME HERE!  Except hubby gets the Cycle-Ops, I get the KK 

Things may have changed in the past few years, but back when I bought mine I spent a lot of time researching reviews and found complaints about the bearings blowing out and starting to leak after a year or two of use w/ some brands.  Like I said, it's been 2 or 3 yrs, so perhaps technology has changed, but I went w/ the Kurt b/c of it's warranty and reputation (and reputation to uphold warranty).
Whichever way you decide... GOOD LUCK and HAPPY SUFFERING!!!
2011-12-21 8:56 PM
in reply to: #3945490

Veteran
627
50010025
Prairie Village, Kansas
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
tcj103 - 2011-12-20 7:37 AM
NewClydesdale - 2011-12-19 11:30 PM

Don't be afraid to check Craigs list etc.  There can be good trainers for sale and things don't seem to wear out.

I went pretty low end with both of mine (one for me and one for the wife) but we seem to get pretty good workouts in. 

However, now that I'm using TrainerRoad I'd prefer one with a smooth power curve so I know my numbers are accurate.

This is why I vote for KK Fluid (or cycleops).  I had a Travel Trac fluid 2, but since Trainerroad didn't list them, and it looked like I'd be using it, returned it for a KK Road Machine.

I like the weighted wheel on the Kurt Kinetic, it makes for a more realistic feel than the Travel Trac.  Can't really speak to tire wear since I didn't use the Travel Trac that much.

The bigger challenge will be your sanity, no matter what trainer you get.  I'm finding that:

(Trainerroad+sufferfest) = (sanity+exhaustion)

 

That's the single complaint I have for the Travel Trac trainer.  Hopefully they can figure something out so I can get some accurate reads from Trainerroad



2011-12-22 1:58 PM
in reply to: #3944893

Regular
168
1002525
Southern Maryland
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer
Very pleased with my KK Road Machine. I don't have anything to compare it to though.
2011-12-22 2:22 PM
in reply to: #3944893

New user
433
10010010010025
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer

Everyone is different and have didn't points of view... my point of view for me is using my roller.  I've used fluids, mags, and computrainers.  Computrainers are the best but pretty expensive.  For me they feel like you are riding outside, they are so smoothe that you can coast a bit like outside.  However, what I hate about all trainers is my seat hurts like nothing else.  You loose all dampering from the air in the tires that you basically sit on the skewers. So, I've switched over to my new roller.  Not sure how long I can ride it but I feel for my hour tempo ride on Wednesday, the roller I can enjoy more.  But like I said...this works for me. 

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