Bike Trainers - views on different products

I’m thinking of buying a bike trainer.

Does anyone have any views on the pro’s and con’s of the main trainers (i think the main ones are CycleOps and Computrainer?)

the rationale for the purchase is:

  • do some fairly precise heart rate / power measurement training
  • do some time saving training during early morning / late evening when it’s dark here
  • getting hacked off with freez your nuts off cold weather training

i know this has been discussed before, but i can’t find the posts. sorry!

We sell almost 300 trainers a year of various types and brands. My primary experience with the Cycleops Fluid 2 has been very good. Although you do hear discussions of the fluid reservoir leaking we have not had one returned (in over 200 sold over the last 2 years) in two years. There are a lot of good trainers out there, the Cycleops is one of them and we like that.

Tom has a really simple, yet effective comparison of the Cyclops type trainers on his website - www.bikesportmichigan.com.

i did some research and narrowed my options to the cycleops and the kinetic. i chose kinetic based on the positive reviews and no reports of leakage. it appears as if cycleops has fixed their seal issues so i don’t think you can go wrong with either.

from my experience the kinetic is a rock. no movement or slippage, even when out of the saddle pushing a hard gear. the resistance stays relatively cool. it still gets hot to the touch, but not where i could see the heat doing any damage to the seals and such. there are many reviews at roadbikereview.com and you can get more detailed info at www.kurtkinetic.com as well as www.analyticcycling.com. i purchased my unit from the latter because of their great price.

Owned a Cyclops fluid and trained for first IM on it. It leaked after a year or so and they replaced it immendiately with no problem and even upgraded it to the Cylops Fluid 2. Although even with the receipt they charged $50.
I recently bought a Computrainer and don’t know how I ever lived without it. Time flies and the immediate feedback on pedal mechanics is awesome. Not to mention I can train at home on the IM Lake Placid course. And with the extended payment plan, it doesn’t hit that hard in the wallet.

In my experience, it is best not to skimp on a trainer. I originally bought a cheap trainer online with a fan resistance unit. It couldn’t produce enough resistance (even with maxed out gearing) to put me out of my aerobic zone. I then upgraded to a Minoura Inter-Rim trainer. This worked very well when I was living in an apartment because it was VERY quiet, but the resistance rollers wore out very quickly and finding replacements wasn’t easy (or cheap). Now, I do some training on a Blackburn trainer, but prefer to do some spin classes and brave the cold weather. It’s not as bad as you think! Cold weather can be your friend - just bundle up and remember this is FUN! :slight_smile:

I have a Kurt Kinetic “Road King” model fluid trainer, and I’ve been very happy with it. I seriously doubt I’ll ever get to the point where I can spin it out (unlike some wind and mag trainers), and it’s quiet and smooth. The only problem I’ve ever had was that I bent the frame trying to tighten it to avoid wheelslip when doing intervals. They replaced it very quickly (and no shipping charges because I did it through a shop), and I was told that they’ve never had a return for frame damage like mine before. They also said that the regular model (with a 3.5lb VS 6lb flywheel like I have) is a lot less prone to slippage and therefore better suited to interval training, due to the massive inertia created by the heavier flywheel. The flip side of course, is that the heavier flywheel is partially why it’s so smooth. Just something to consider when you’re making a purchase.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with my trainer as well as the company.

yeah well i’m putting my input in on not a CT or a cycleops----but the Performance 3000 or something. You can go to performancebike.com to look at it. I’ve had this thing for 3 yrs and never had any issues with it. On my model, the pin that actually holds the bike is a little awkward, but nothin major. My buddy has a cycleops and i like mine a lot better. Plus, dont get the handle bar remote resistor, i never use, it always ends up on the floor getting in the way.

ive got a cyclops fluid, and i love it. What kind does your friend have and why don’t you like it. I think its extremely quiet, and has plenty of resistance.

Quote: “ive got a cyclops fluid, and i love it. What kind does your friend have and why don’t you like it. I think its extremely quiet, and has plenty of resistance”

I like my performance trainer better for 2 reasons. 1) I dont like the way that the Cycleops has that lever that you throw to engage the bikes rear skewer. And B) On the cycleops to have the resistor wheel engage the tire you turn this dial that moves the resistor closer and closer to the tire until it begins to touch it. On mine, that system is spring loaded and the heavy spring presses onto your bike tire.

I’ve used both, they both work well, if i was given or won the Cycleops i wouldnt give it away, their both quiet, their both reliable (hes never had any problems with his leaking or anything) I just like mine better.

First off I am not a big fan of indoor bike training. That being said, it does have an important role to play for those who live where there is a real winter; You have a short period of time in the morning or evening to work out; and short days and darkness are a problem. Indoor trainers are also good a very focussed, intense training - intervals, working on spin etc . . i.e. in 30 - 45 minutes you can get in a great work-out and 45 - 50 minutes is about my mental limit on these things ( I hear of people going for 4 - 5 hour ride on indoor trainers. Yikes!!)

Because of my dislike for this type of work out in general, I would not spend a big chunk of money on an indoor trainer such as a Computrainer. They may be great training tools, and I am sure that many people get great results from them. I would rather spend the winter months cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, running or relaxing.

In years past I would put the bike away more or less in late November and then do maybe one indoor work-out on it each week to keep the feel/fitness going through the winter until late March. Then back out side to the roads for real riding.

Therefore, my advice is to get the best quality least expensive trainer that you can get. For years now I have been completely satisfied using a QuickStand trainer. Sadly, this company is now out of business. The unit is small, compact and quiet. It offers decent road feel and is best used for moderate intensity tempo types of rides and spinning work.

yep - with you on the "not a big fan of indoor bike training"comment. doesn’t sound too exiting does it. can’t believe i’m even thinking of it!

just shows how adicted i am to this insane sport…

better not tell my buddies. i’ll never hear the last of it :-). here’s hopin i never wake up one morning and think train spotting is a good idea.

Check out the 1up trainer at 1upusa.com

I’ve owned this trainer for a few months now and it’s amazing.

I rode a CycleOps fluid trainer for the last 3 years and had absolutely no trouble with it. Last fall I bought the Computrainer and think it’s terrific.

With the Computrainer you can track all sorts of instantaneous,average and peak measurements for power, cadence, speed and heart rate. You can do all kind of repeatable fitness tests and relate them to actual performance on the road. I haven’t used it yet, but they even have Coaching Software that lets you plot all this stuff out on a spreadsheet.

It has a “spin scan” feature which can be used alone or with the 3D programs.

When I got the Computrainer, I was excited that it came with a number of bike courses but I was really blown away by the new Topo software by Delorme. I programmed all my favorite local rides and triathlons. Then I programmed lots of rides that I always wanted to do but couldn’t because they were geographically remote (I live in Michigan). Today I rode from Kanab Utah to Zion Canyon. I skipped part of the ride because I had to go to work but with the new software patch from the Computrainer website it’s easy to start anywhere you want on a course. I was never bored for a minute.

Now all you need is lots of rockin’ music, Cytomax and a really big fan. Get the computrainer! They’ll even let you make monthly payments on it. You won’t regret it.

Richard

I think you need to keep in mind that the two trainers you mentioned provide very different values. Yes, you can do “workouts” on any stationary trainer, but on a CompuTrainer you can do a “ride.”

I know there has been some negativity directed toward CompuTrainer, but when I bought mine two years ago, it was absolutely no problem. The product is still absolutely rock solid, and I think the investment is the best I’ve made in my twelve year multisport endeavor.

If you have months of real winter, or a work schedule that doesn’t allow you to always ride in the light, then a CompuTrainer will prove itself to be invaluable. You can do the spin and technical “workouts” on a CompuTrainer as well, but also give yourself the opportunity, if weather/time/timing challenged to do a “ride.”

I have been using a Kurt Kinetic trainer and my Powertap wheel for my indoor training. With the Powertap and a Heartrate monitor I am able to nail my assigned workouts alot easier than I would be able to on he road. The trainer is quiet an it doesn’t leak. Its also solid as a rock. I have done some sprint intervals and this thing doesn’t budge.

If you can afford it a Computrainer is the best way to go. You get Accurate power heartratr etc. Also you can use the Spinscan software to improve your pedal stroke . You can ride simulations of real courses with changes in gradients. People say you can just shift to a harder gear to simulate hills, but its not the same. You can shift to your biggest gear and still not produce the same wattage you would on a 12% grade unless you sprint.

When I get enough cash I will definately buy a CT but for now the Kurt is doing the job well.