Let's talk stationary bike trainers

i need a couple of new stationary trainers for our FIST workshops. i had a bit of a bad experience. i was quoted a price from a manufacturer, and then when i went to get these trainers the price inextricably went up. “my mistake,” was the reply. “that’s not your price, that’s the price we give to .”

well, i’m no different than the next guy. it’s the principle of the thing. so, that brand will definitely not appear here. the 600 retailers a year to whom we’re in regular contact, and the 100+ retailers per year that physically appear here, will be shown another brand.

hence my question. what stationary trainers ought i to get? i just need your basic trainer. nothing special. but, nothing rickety. a good solid trainer. no electronics. nothing “smart.” just dumb analog, but well made, trainers i’m looking for.

what say you, slowtwitchers?

I’ve had/ridden a few. Cycleops Magnetic version a newer Cycleops Fluid and an older Cycleops Fluid. The older fluid one was fine, the newer one was pretty good.

I bought my girlfriend a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine because the price was right. I jumped on her bike when setting it up for her the first time and liked it so much more than my Cycleops that I sold my Cycleops (which was fine) to a friend and bought a KK Road Machine.

Cyclops Fluid, or Kurt Kinetic. I have both, perfer the lock on the Cyclops.

cycleops or kurt. I will assume one of those is the brand you made reference to, if so choose one or the other.
If fluid is not necessary, tacx make a great product and even cheaper, Minoura.

I have 2 of the KK road machines. The newer one is cool day glow green. Durable, cheap and can’t leak. Tom D is usually about giving them away.

My Performance Travel Trac has held up nicely over the years. I think it’s well made and you can’t beat the price.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20981&subcategory_ID=4120

Oddly, I bet the Slowman gets an even better “good guy discount” than even Demerly can pull off. I would bet that either KK or Cyclops would find a few that fell off the truck for Dan.

As he should. Just figured I would mention the ST secret badger deal to give Tom a bit of a plug. The one I got from him was close to half of the price I paid for the first one from trisports.

My nashbar mag is 7 years old or so, and is still happily whirring along.

The plain-jane Kurt Kinetic is the way to go. Easy setup, veritably bulletproof, rock solid base. I bought mine used 5 years ago and its still going strong.

I had a CycleOps fluid 2 for several years, worked fine, then jumped on Tom’s badger deal for the KK and sold my CycleOps. Although they’re very similar, I do think the KK is a slight upgrade; the fluid unit feels smoother with less of a warm-up “bump” in the resistance curve, and the QR mounting is more solid (although CycleOps has changed theirs since the version I had).

Dan,

We have a Kurt Kinetic. I have ridden a number of the trainers on the market and the KK, seems to offer the best in terms of road feel, real resistance , stability and durability. The only down side to them is they are kinda heavy and awkward to move around - really a minor problem.

I also have a 10+ year old QuikStand - remember them - And this unit is still going strong. It has the same road feel as the KK, a bit less resistance overall. The nice thing with the QuikStand is that it’s very light and compact. Great for throwing in the trunk when traveling to races so you can warm up beside the car or near-by. I also take it on the road with me on sales trips so I can ride in my hotel room if it’s dark out or raining.

As long as it is not your brand in question…Kurt Kinetic.

Vote for Cyclops Fluid.

Yet another good experience with my 3 y/o cycleops fluid. Maybe 200-250 hrs on it…still works great. Heard good things about the KK as well, but no personal experience.

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. My biggest reason for Kurt has to be their customer service. I use my trainer alot (150 miles already this week since Monday), and over the past couple of years I been in need of replacement parts and Kurt has been incredibly helpful and quick to resolve the issues. The other think I like is the large flywheel makes for a very “road like” feel. If you look around, you can also get pretty good deals on them.

Nothing really to add to what is written above other the second the comment about KK customer service. I needed a replacement part and they sent it out right away, free of charge and zero hassle.

This is a different but very nice trainer.

Dave

http://www.1upusa.com/bike_trainer.html

I’ve ridding the Cycleops, the Kurt Kinetic Pro Trainer (the 18lb fly wheel does rock) and nothing beats the 1upUSA trainer. It’s also $200 less than the Kinetic Pro.

It is the quietest trainer out there. The only noise I hear is my chain and wheel, which can be loud, but nothing like the ear piercing of a magnetic trainer.

It’s been rated #1 over at roadbikereview and mtnbikereview for 7 years now.

http://www.1upusa.com/bike_trainer.html

Blackburn has licensed out the fly wheel mechanism and that is also a great trainer, but i like the detail applied to the original 1upUSA and it has a life time warranty, no fluid to leak, it can handle up to 3,000 watts, it has telescoping legs for unlevel floors, no springs that wear out, three inch diameter roller and it folds down to 6 inches in width which means you can store and travel with it. Here’s some more detail:

Centrifugal Pressure Resistance

Want Watts? We got WATTS!!
Centrifugal Pressure Resistance (CPR) provides the most realistic simulation of riding a bicycle ever! The 1up Trainer has a functional range for continuous operation from 4 watts (5 MPH) to over 3,000 watts (42 MPH). The 1up Trainer has the widest range of resistance in the industry (4 to 3,000 watts). It also accommodates light exercising for Grandma, and every level in between. This new resistance technology outperforms fluid, magnet and wind trainers. You can’t zing this trainer up to an unrealistic 40 or 50 mph. If you can pedal your bicycle 30-mph outdoors, then that’s how fast you will be able to pedal your bicycle on our trainer. 20 mph feels like 20 mph, unlike other trainers. You can not over power this trainer – in fact you can even simulate sprinting, intervals and hill climbing. The CPR provides no resistance until 7 mph for easy starts or light training. After 7 mph resistance increases exponentially. The 1up Trainer has a RC (resistance curve) adjustable system. The RC System allows the rider to change the resistance curve in the trainer. The CPR is also the quietest and smoothest system available. 1up Bicycle Trainers are fluid free, NO LEAKS! CNC machined with less than .001 of an inch run-out.

6.5 Pound Flywheel

Six-inch diameter, 6.5 pound flywheel (largest on any trainer other than the 12lb add on available by KK) provides a smooth ride with the longest coast down in the industry (not 2-4 seconds like other trainers). 6.5 pounds of revolving weight, and angled slotted cooling fins allows heat to dissipate quickly from the resistance unit. Most trainers have a 3.5 pound or lighter flywheel.

3-inch Dia. Roller
Three-inch diameter all-aluminum roller (largest on any trainer) extends tire life and provides the quietest ride of any trainer. Our large diameter roller helps to eliminate slipping, skipping or squealing.

Foot operated Q-R

Foot operated Quick-Release allows you to load your bicycle in only 3 seconds! No knobs or levers to turn while trying to hold your bicycle up with one hand. Just step on the Q-R lever while you hold the bicycle with two hands.

Vertical Height

Vertical height adjustment for any wheel size, even kids bikes. Bicycle can be lowered for level riding. Eliminates need for costly front wheel block. Other trainers require additional attachments at added cost to accommodate smaller wheels. Our trainer fits all wheel sizes from kid’s 16 inch to adult 29 inch. Train natural, train level.

Telescoping Legs

Adjustment knob for telescoping front legs allows you to lower the rear tire close to the floor for level riding. This adjustment can also be used to level trainer on uneven floors. The Front legs lock in place to prevent accidental collapse

All-Alum. Frame

Beautiful deep blue and silver anodized light weight all-aluminum construction. The 1up Trainer folds down to only 6 inches thick for compact storage, and will fit into its own box. The Wide 25-inch base provides the best stability available. There is no flex in our frame, even when standing on the pedals.

http://www.1upusa.com/bike_trainer.html


Centrifugal Pressure Resistance

I have hread nothing but great things about the 1Up’s as well.

I believe they use the same tachnology as in the old and now defunct QuikStand trainers - which I I have an old unit - and it’sa great ride.