the missus and me just got hitched and we promised ourselves that we’d not buy eachother anything expensive for Christmas this year after dropping a lot of coin on our nuptual ceremonies and honeymoon.
She wants a bike computer…which I’ll get her…but she also would really love a trainer…(shes not one for riding in cold or wet). I know she won’t stick to our budget so I can’t either.
I can get a Cycleops Mag trainer for $130 or a fluid for $239. I’ve never used one and was wondering if the additional costs came with any additional benefits.
Hey Matt - I asked a similar question a while ago regarding the Cycleops, Kurt, and 1UP trainer and how they compare. Seems like the Kurt kinetic road machine is a crowd fave for its ‘real road’-like feel. Just search my ID and Kurt Kinetic and I’m sure you’ll find it.
I find my cyclops fluid trainer power vs. speed curve is extremely steep making it hard to find the right gear if you have a cassette with a large range on the back. I always seem to be spinning super easy or grinding away.
I recently was shopping for trainers. I went to my LBS and they told me that the fluid drive trainers will inevitably leak and they recommended the tacx swing mag trainer. It seems really sturdy, and has resistance settings that you can dial in while on the bike. Also it comes with a skewer designed specifically for their trainer so the bike fits the trainer well. I’m quite happy with it.
how about getting a computrainer with their payment plan? that’s what i did. it was like $200 up front and $70 a month for a year. best investment i ever made. apart from that, i liked my cyclops fluid trainer but have heard great things about 1up and kurt kinetic too. the tacx trainer is the one the posties used to (or still do) ride as a warmup for time trials. can’t be all bad, huh?