I will soon be in the market for an indoor trainer but there seems a lot of options and I know nothing about them. Any tips would be good. What are the different types, what features to look out for, which are the quality brands and what experiences have people had?
Thanks for your help 
No doubt: Kurt Kinetic. I’m sure you will get many recs for this.
No doubt: Kurt Kinetic. I’m sure you will get many recs for this.
+1. There is no substitute.
I will soon be in the market for an indoor trainer but there seems a lot of options and I know nothing about them. Any tips would be good. What are the different types, what features to look out for, which are the quality brands and what experiences have people had?
Thanks for your help
Letting people know your budget might help (and allow $ for other important items).
Consider the features you might need in an indoor set up (hint - it’s more than just the trainer). Here’s some food for thought:
http://alex-cycle.blogspot.com/2009/01/turbocharged-training.html
I’ve used a Blackburn Mag, a CycleOps Fluid 2, and now a Kurt Kinetic. The CycleOps and the Kurt are pretty similar, but I definitely like a few details on the Kurt better. You may be able to find something used for a deal (although shipping is a bitch due to the weight if you don’t find one local) but if you buy new, then check out the ‘angry badger’ special at Bikesport Michigan… I think it’s still going.
No doubt: Kurt Kinetic. I’m sure you will get many recs for this.
+1. There is no substitute.
Another vote for the Kurt Kinetic. It is the only one I have used thus far but it has been good to me.
I’d recommend you also consider the option of a used/refurb spin bike for simplicity, maintainability, durability, functionality, versatility, economy and a bunch of other reasons.
www.1UPUSA.com. Hands down the best trainer, completely made in USA, best resistance and simulation, voted #1 by road bike review 7 years in a row.
I started with a Blackburn Ultra Trackstand, honestly I choose it for its physical design. After two years of what I would call medium use I started having all sorts of problems with it. The resistance would jump all over the place. Blackburn gave me some suggested maintenance to fix the problem that never really worked. Of the trainers I’ve used it was the quietest.
During bring your own bike spin class I’ve used the Cycleops Fluid 2 trainer without any problems.
My most recent purchase was a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. I think its the best of the three, long winter trainer sessions got more enjoyably. Smooth resistance, simple design & its fairly quiet (downstairs neighbors haven’t complained).
Good luck,
Travis
dumb blog
+1
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Angry badger. Look at the related products to figure out what you’ll be getting, it’s a great deal and a great trainer.
Why not a wind trainer? I have a KK, but am curious.
Here’s the thing: Most of the replies here are from people who haven’t ridden more then one or two trainers.
1Up has been ranked number one at the largest cycle review site for seven years running.
There is a reason for it - try one.
Whatever’s on craigslist. This seems one of the few items that craigslist really rocks for. Search your local area for them. I saw last week a guy selling for $75 one that was about $400 new with hardly any use. A lot of people get trainers and never really use them, so when they sell they have to sell locally.
If you want the truth, the cheap and good trainers are different, but you can definitely make do on a low-end one. I admit I’ve never ridden on a good trainer but I’ve put a great deal of time on my $150 Minoura Mag 850R and it’s been enough to get me top 10% bike split constantly.
Ok - a different answer: Check out the e-motion rollers. You can’t get any closer to outside riding indoors. Period.
I admit I’ve never ridden on a good trainer but I’ve put a great deal of time on my $150 Minoura Mag 850R and it’s been enough to get me top 10% bike split constantly.
Absolutely, a bad trainer used is more effective than the best trainer ignored
(isn’t this what the haters say about PowerCranks? That if someone actually did the single leg drills they’d get just as much good out of it?)
Therefore, buy the trainer that you will USE!
Ok - a different answer: Check out the e-motion rollers. You can’t get any closer to outside riding indoors. Period.I’ve heard that, but that for hardcore power training you really need a trainer because only it offers the necessary resistance to really bust up your legs.
I’d recommend the computrainer.
Last year I raced at roughly the 19mph range. I was 255 pounds.
I had never been much of an indoor trainer rider because it was so freaking boring.
This past winter I decided to hit it hard…I got some spinnervals videos just to get some sets and got a computrainer. I did some reading on power and how to properly train. While I am no expert at any of that I still managed to increase my speed on the bike. On flat courses I went from 19.5 last year to almost 22.5 this year…and am now 210 pounds.
It’s mostly because I used the trainer as others suggested. But the computrainer has some great features to help you get the most out of your workouts. I’ve done century rides on it without any problem. On my Cycleops trainer I’d die after 1.5 hours.
Another vote for emotion rollers. The set I got about 3-4 months ago has magnetic resistance that can be engaged with 3-4 different settings. Still smooth as silk with all the resistance I’ll ever need. Excellent product.
i love the travel trac series stuff.
the inertial trainer or rollers are very smooth and quite nice on the wallet.