My wife is searching for a birthday gift for me in the $300 range. She wants to get me something I need for training and I don’t have an indoor trainer. Just curious as to what people recommend and why. Thanks for the help.
Tell her to splurge and buy you a Tacx Fortius Virtual Reality Trainer. Totally awesome way to train and race.
I may find it hard to train outside when the weather dictates since this thing is soooooooo cool.
As much as I would love it. That type of splurging would land us in the poor house. Both my wife and I work full time and go to school full time. All of our money is spent on education. She is, however, indulging my need to stay active and do something I enjoy. Just don’t know what would be more beneficial; a fluid/mag trainer or rollers. Also, which brands/models and why?
Zipp, I meant to ask you before, is that your bed and breakfast that is linked on your signature? My wife and I love Sedona. Here family brought us along on vacation their a few months back. Just a gorgeous area.
I have a set of rollers & a fluid trainer. I got the fluid 1st & then the rollers later. I use the rollers for warm up & work on form/technique & then use the fluid to work the muscles.
My 2 cents
jegood,
Congratulations. You are a lucky guy having such a great wife!
My suggestions is follow Speedy’s progression. Get the trainer first. After that, when opportunity permits, get some rollers.
Many of those who have rollers, use them very little or not at all. You probably know someone who has a set but you just don’t realize it. They would probably even let you borrow them for a few weeks.
A decent set of rollers will cost more than $300. More like $400+, Kreitler Challenge rollers for instance. You can get cheaper rollers, but often they don’t last. Like one gets what one pays for.
A good trainer, however, can easily be purchased for $300 or less. A Kurt Kenetic Road Machine (a fluid trainer) is one of the best. Replicates a ride on the road more accurately than almost any other trainer oexcept the computerized type trainers (then you’re talking much more than $300). Lists for $299 I believe. Bikesport had a sale on them (they may still have them on sale) for less and even with shipping, I’ll bet you’ll be ahead of the game. There is even a good review of that particular trainer on the Bikesport website.
Almost all fluid trainers eventually leak because of seal failure. The Kurt Kenetic trainer has no seals in the fluid chamber. It is a completely sealed unit coupled to the drive shaft by a magnetic coupler. The trainer is gauranteed for life from leaking!
Thanks,
That is exactly the type of response I was looking for. I want something to be able to get a good workout on when I can’t get outside due to weather or darkness. I will have to checkout Bikesports site and read the review. I’ve read many of Tom Demerly’s reviews and they seem to be very thorough. Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.
Yep, thats the web site to our current B&B. We bought this one about 9 months ago. Before that we had 2 B&B’s in Saint Augustine,FL. We sold those and moved here. Its a great business and an awesome place to live.
Come on back sometime and visit us!!
I was just telling my wife that I would love to go back to visit Sedona. May have to give you a call when we do.
Jeff,
All ST’ers get an ST discount : )
Call us sometime!! Be sure you bring the bike and/or running shoes. We’ll go for some great bike rides or trail runs!
The Kurt Kenetic trainer has no seals in the fluid chamber. It is a completely sealed unit coupled to the drive shaft by a magnetic coupler. The trainer is gauranteed for life from leaking!
Cyclops Fluid2 also has a lifetime warranty.