In preparation for the frozen darkness that will be my reality for the winter months, and on the recommendation of several knowledgable individuals., I’m replacing my fluid trainer with a wind trainer. Managed to find a used one, a Blackburn Trakstand Contender (which isn’t made anymore).
With the Cycleops Fluid2, once the the resistance makes contact with the tire, you turn the knob 2.5 more times. How much do you turn the knob on the Blackburn after initial contact with the tire?
I have one and I turn it until I get the resistance I want, but be carefull or you’ll burn out tires like crazy!
Anyone?
After the tire “kisses” the roller, I turn it another two times. Then I check to make sure that the low spot on the old wheel I use makes sufficient contact so as not to slip. If it squeaks when I hold the roller in position, I crank it down a bit more. Then, spin, spin, spin.
.
.
“In preparation for the frozen darkness that will be my reality for the winter months, and on the recommendation of several knowledgable individuals., I’m replacing my fluid trainer with a wind trainer. Managed to find a used one, a Blackburn Trakstand Contender (which isn’t made anymore).”
As for myself, I am also getting ready to start training indoors during the tundra months. What I am wondering is what is the difference between a wind trainer and fluid trainer? I thought a fluid trainer provided a road feel?
If a wind trainer is the better choice, what type would the STr’s recommend?
Thanks, Don
In doing some research on the subject, it seems the rough hierarchy of trainers (from best to worst) are:
Apparently, the Computrainer and wind trainer best emulate road feel, while the fluid and magnetic are not as good. One coach I’ve spoken to even went to far as to say he strongly recommends against the fluid and magnetic, as workouts are less productive due to the unrealistic resistance band. That being said, I’ve trained on a fluid the past 2 years (although I’d hardly consider my cycling to be anything other than mediocre), so I’ll be interested to see how much my new wind trainer affects my cycling.
I did discover why fluid trainer manufacturers always yammer about how quiet their products are – I put the bike on the wind trainer last night, and it puts out a fair bit of noise (about the same as an old air conditioner). Got to try to figure out how to manage that when I’m doing the early AM trainer sessions, and I don’t want to wake up the wife.
The resistance from wind trainers is more linear. That is, as you go into harder gears, the resistance goes up smoothly, in direct relation to the gear you’re in. With most mag and fluid trainers, the resistance goes from easy to leg breaking too quickly.
Wind trainers are hard to find since they are so noisy. But of course, I usually ride with the TV or stereo blasting anyway.
I have a Blackburn wind trainer that I liked training on before I got a Computrainer.