As a christmas present, I got the Nashbar T3 Fluid trainer. This is my first fluid trainer. I was previously using a minoura Mag trainer that I borrowed from a friend. The thing I noticed is that the fluid trainer is much more difficult than the mag trainer. It is great that it has a very large resistance band, but in order for me to achieve a cadence in the 90's, I have to use very low gears on the bike. I have a couple of spinerval videos and I can't even come close to the gear ratios that are called for. The biggest problem is that I can not gear down during rest intervals.

What type of cyclists are these fluid trainers designed for, in otherwords, what cyclist would be comfortable on a fluid trainer in a middle range of gears, just spinning at 90 rpm's? Personally, I am around a 21-22 mph 40K TT on a flat course.

There are several things I can think of,

1) this is a cheap trainer, so the resistance level isn't the same as say a cyclops

2) I have been riding the mag trainer for a few months now (exclusively, no outdoor riding), so my legs aren't used to this type of resistance.

3) I have the resistance wheel pushed too hard against my tire, making the rolling resistance larger than normal (I have a tough time knowing when to stop, it seems that my wheel slips a lot if I don't have it pretty firm)

4) This trainer is designed for better and stonger cyclist.

Are any of these good explanations, if so, which ones? Thanks for the help

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"What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind and body can achieve; and those who stay will be champions."