I am looking to buy a spin bike for this fall and winter. I do not like the feel of the indoor trainers and the setup hassle.
Has anyone had success with training with a spin bike
instead of a trainer?
Thanks for info
Perry
I used to do the spin classes at the Y before I got a trainer. I was happy with what I got out of it for a while, but in the end, they weren’t long enough to satisfy me and meet my workout goals. Which part of the trainer setup do you consider a hassle? I remember looking at spin bikes once, and the price shocked me.
In reply to
Which part of the trainer setup do you consider a hassle
Both my wife and I use the trainer so switching out the bikes and then storing them in the garage is a pain.
Also with the spin bikes I can adjust them so my 11 year old son can ride it
Hey Perry I have had countless discussions / arguments with my riding buddies over this for years. Many pros and cons but I personally love it.
I was teaching 3 days a week - 1 hour classes on top of my regular riding schedule and I truly believe it was the strongest I have ever been on the bike. Over the past year I have backed off to 1 class per week and can certainly tell a difference BUT I have no back pain, which made me figure a lot of things out. Oddly enough one of my training partners upped his spin classes and now has the same back pain. Primarily lower back and SI joint pain.
I am now my own research study and have figured a lot of things out … hope I’m not boring you here.
Most spin bikes are set up as road geometry so you have to be careful not to lean over the handle bars as if they are aerobars due to going beyond the 90 degree angle. I understand there are adjustments but with certain manufacturers (Schwinn) you just really cannot get the seat far enough forward.
The other thing I find is most people tend to leave the resistance way to low and their cadence is often well over 100. I even have to check myself because the bikes are so smooth that you don’t realize how fast you are peddling.
Cyclops? I think that is the right name, seems to be what most bike shops sell and has the most adjustments.
I have had a few buddies that are true rodies, or should I say were, that absolutely love it and ride it at home all winter.
In training for Placid last year and other hilly races I would even put a reebok step or 2 under the front of the bike and crank up the tension just to simulate some climbing. Not sure if it really works or not but it did for me mentally.
Hope this helps a little
Mike
Thanks for the info
This would be for home use
How would you structure a workout since the bike has no electronics.
Would you suggest something along the lines of a
Spinerval DVD?
Thanks
Perry
I have done the spinnerval DVD’s on a spin bike at the gym and it works great.
We used to bring our trainers into the gym and throw in the DVD but many times I didn’t feel like hauling my bike and trainer to the gym and just jumped on the spin bike.
It is especially nice for standing and sprinting just because the spin bikes are so heavy that they don’t move … and of course you don’t have to worry about the tourque on your frame.
In our classes we do a lot of intervals but if I’m at home it’s a movie or the remote control and just ride.
Many spin bikes now track cadence and mileage so you don’t go spinning out at 120+ all the time. Taking classes at the gym can be beneficial if:
- you actually work. You control the resistance. You know how hard you’re working. Wear a heart rate monitor and track your progress. You know if you’re cheating yourself.
- you have a good instructor. There are cardio freaks that are all “faster faster faster” and do jumps like mexican jumping beans. There are instructors that treat the hour like a ride. Hills, rolling hills, sprints, TT’s, LT training and so on. The one instructor would do a 1 1/2hr class once a month as well.
I belong to two gyms where I can do back to back classes on weekends for a 2 hour ride which is about a 40 mile ride. I don’t cheat. I don’t coast down hills, take it easy in corners, stop for a quick food break and so on.
If you have a spin bike at home you can use your own pedals and seat and just buy a few dvds to mix it up.
I have the Lemond Life Fitness bike that has a lot of adjustability. Lots of range on the seat. The handlebars (with aerobars) move forward and back as well as up and down. It’s about as adjustable as you can get. My gym has the SpinnerNXT models which also have a lot of forward seat adjustability and aero type bars.
SpinnerNXT: http://www.spinning.com/spinning-shop-spinner-bikes/spinner-bike-nxt.asp
Lemond Revmaster Sport: http://www.lemondfitness.com/products_revmaster.php?id=5
If a spin bike is the same as a stationary bike. I use one. It works very well when its dark out, cold out, raining out, etc. I do prefer the trainer at my LBS, but I can ride at home and it prevents me from having excuses not to ride. Mine has many “courses” and I do get a very good workout. All that being said, anything is better than nothing.
Is a computrainer the same price as a spin bike? If so.
I would get a computrainer . More fun and power data .
If your going to get a spin bike I would look at the keiser M3 bikes. That what I use in winter at the club I’m at.info at www.keiser.com .they have a computer that has cadence, HR, works with polar chest strap. watts, ave watts, time. The resistance ,i believe is magnetic not from increasing friction . so no pads or springs to wear out. I 've used spin bikes for winter training the last couple of years and these are the nicest bikes I’ve used. I think the price was somewhere around $1500.
Is a computrainer the same price as a spin bike? If so.
I would get a computrainer . More fun and power data .
I bought a Star Trac spin bike, and I love it. It is very durable, and the resistance is basically infinitely adjustable. I also love the fixed gear, and heavy flywheel. To me, it is much more similar to “real” road riding than the computrainer.
i travel a lot and when I am on the road spin classes are my best option, that said, here is how I rank my options:
- riding my bike outside #1
- riding my bike on the trainer #2
- riding a spin bike in a class #3
- riding a stationary bike in gym solo #4 (i really hate this)
You can get a good workout on a spin bike but doesn’t seem near the same quality as using your own bike on the trainer, if I were going to get a spin bike for the house, I would look at the cycleops one as it seem very adjustable to get the right fit and measure power which would help with increasing the quality of the workouts.
for me I throw a spin class above the trainer (provided it’s a good instructor) only because I like someone in my face and pushing me. I ride with a couple and know the ones I like so they give me a hard time if they think I’m slacking. I also like fitting in a quick two hour workout with the 50m pool at the gym followed by a spin class. When trying to squeeze two hours in and following it with the quick shower and off to work and running errands and getting home, it’s a more efficient use of time.
The only thing I like about a stationary bike at the gym is if just feel like burning some calories while watching a game, reading a book (like TI right now since my swimming stinks), or learning new music for the class I teach. I’ll usually throw the hill profile on that does minute hills at four different levels. 21 minutes is 1 set of hills with cool down and warmup. Adding 7 minutes adds another set of hills. Passes the time and burns calories when something else is the focus.
I am looking to buy a spin bike for this fall and winter. I do not like the feel of the indoor trainers and the setup hassle.
Has anyone had success with training with a spin bike
instead of a trainer?
Thanks for info
Perry
Most of the high end spin bikes seem to be pretty well built. The cycle ops is the only one with Power that I am aware of, if that is something you would like. I like the LeMond Revmaster as it seems particularly well built (we have several NFL teams on it without any difficulty) but more importantly, it is belt drive so very quiet. Most of the bikes are chain driven and everyone in the house will know you are working out.
check out www.wattbike.com
all singing all dancing high end bike
can also compete online with other users
.
and only $3k…