Everyone was kind enough to provide their respective rankings of bike trainers. Sure I’d love a CT, but I live in FL and can ride year round - including Clermont, so I need the trainer for those 1.5-2 hr sessions that can’t be squeezed in during daylight while the kiddos are sleeping and work isn’t calling. Seems the top choices are the CycleOps Fluid2 Bike Trainer, CycleOps JetFluid Pro Bike Trainer, Kinetic Road Machine (do I need the 12lb flywheel if I’m doing my longer endurance hill sessions outside?), the Kinetic Rock N Roll is also a top choice, but since I do most riding outside, not sure I want to spend the extra $$s for the side-to-side motion simulation… Look forward to final feedback so can have this thing in my living room later this week!
i own & like the KK road machine.
good deals can be had online.
i’ve had no issues with it to date, i’d say it’s worth the money. the rock n roll is not, to me.
i own & like the KK road machine.
good deals can be had online.
i’ve had no issues with it to date, i’d say it’s worth the money. the rock n roll is not, to me.
x2
i own & like the KK road machine.
good deals can be had online.
i’ve had no issues with it to date, i’d say it’s worth the money. the rock n roll is not, to me.
x2
X3
As a mech engineer, I like the build of the Kinetic Road better. No “wet” seals to leak later.
I think the Rock & Roll model is kind of gimmicky crap, but I do really like KK trainers (well - as much as anyone can “like” a trainer :p).
The 12lb flywheel is nice as it smooths out the ride a bit and makes coasting for a second or two while you make an adjustment more natural and “road like” - but if you’re planning to do lots of jumps and intervals, the smaller flywheel is actually better as the heavier one will give you some wheelslip when you stomp or jump until it catches up. Cranking down on the unit will just cause premature tyre wear and potentially bend the frame of the trainer - the wheelslip simply can’t be avoided if you’re doing those types of intervals.
Seems the top choices are the CycleOps Fluid2 Bike Trainer, CycleOps JetFluid Pro Bike Trainer, Kinetic Road Machine (do I need the 12lb flywheel if I’m doing my longer endurance hill sessions outside?), the Kinetic Rock N Roll is also a top choice, but since I do most riding outside, not sure I want to spend the extra $$s for the side-to-side motion simulation… Look forward to final feedback so can have this thing in my living room later this week!
I own a Fluid 2, an older Road Machine, and a Pro (w/ 12 pound add-on flywheel). My fluid 2 collects a lot of dust. When the g/f spins with me in the winter she gets the Road Machine. I stick with my Pro - the extra flywheel only comes off if I’m planning on doing intervals shorter than 60 seconds.
I don’t see any value added in the RnR, especially for a triathlete.
I have both (and a 3rd Blackburn as well). I’d also (x4 now?) rec the Kurt Kinetic road. No reason for the rock n’ roll. You can upgrade the flywheel later if you want on the std KK.
KK Road is more than good enough.
don’t bother with the rest.
I own both. Put a couple hundred hours on both.
CycleOps is quieter but tends to go really steep on power curve at the higher speeds. Tends to have a power creep as the unit gets hotter, especially above 370 watts, where speed and cadence goes the same, watts increases.
Kinetic is not as quiet as the CycleOps. Both are quiet, just that the CycleOps is a whisper while the Kinetic is an “inside voice”. Nice power curve, very consistent. Takes longer to install bicycle onto compared to the CycleOps and heavier, so not as portable for race day as the CycleOps.
Thanks to everyone that responded - just ordered the Kinetic…
Big mistake. Should have bought the www.1upusa.com trainer. Best in the market.