Trainer choice: Blackburn Fluid vs Kurt Kinetic Road

Triathlon Forum
1

WWSTD?

  1. Blackburn Trackstand fluid trainer $145.00 + $20 for stand (local)

  2. Kurt Kinetic Road $229.00 (plus shipping from MI with super special ST deal)

2

Haven’t used the Blackburn, but LOVE my road machine. So does everyone else who reviews them on here and anywhere else. Most people “in the know” that I’ve talked to seem to say it’s the best trainer on the market.

3

Ditto that… have a road maching and it’s 100% perfect, 0 problems so far and I’ve put a LOT of kms on it in the past year and a bit…

4

I cannot stand my Blackburn Fluid Trainer. It is a piece of crap.

–Larry

5

OK then! I’ve added up the votes and Kurt wins. I’ll add another $70 or so to my Bike Trust Fund.

Thanks guys.

6

LOVE my road machine. So does everyone else who reviews them on here and anywhere else.

Not everyone… (love my 1UP trainer)
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1178174;search_string=;#1178174

7

I have had both and sold my Blackburn to get the KK. Never have looked back. The build quality and ride are so much nicer on the KK than the Blackburn.

8

Thanks…I thought a quick poll on here would be useful.

9

i just bought a KK and the wheel slips and make a squeaking noise… is it tire related, I’m I not putting it tight enough??

10

i just bought a KK and the wheel slips and make a squeaking noise… is it tire related, I’m I not putting it tight enough??

Make sure you have good air pressure in your tires, just as if you were to ride outside, and then tighten up the tension screw on the trainer so it’s very snug against the wheel. Keeping tightening till the wheel no longer slips. The squeak is probably from the the rubber slipping on the trainer roller.

11

It can definitely be tire related. My Michelin’s slip and my Vittoria’s don’t. Might have something to do with tread.

As for tightness-

I pull back on the resistance unit as I am tightening onto the wheel (there is some slack). Then when it touches the wheel, give it 2.5 turns. That should do the trick. Try cleaning the tires with alcohol, too. Dirty/greasy tires slip.

But to answer the OP, I love my Kurt Kinetic.

Jodi

12

can’t speak to blackburn but I have had my kinetic for 3 seasons now and hammered the you-know-what out of it. Zero issues and the feel of it is really good. It’s heavy though and awkward to carry but worth it.

13

The Kurt Kinetic is the deal. I’ve used mine for 3+years and the only problem I’ve had is a stripped tension knob which they shipped out a replacement for w/ no questions. It has a lifetime warranty which is hard to beat.

14

the slipping tire is a michelin, I’ll try changing it, as I’ve checked all other issues mentioned.

thanks to all

15

Yeah, my Michelins slip too. During the winter I just put on the Continental Home Trainer tire. Works great.

16

The ST favorite trainer, and the price has dropped to $218
.

17

Interesting! I had the same issue and just went to the hardware store and grabbed a lonnnnng bolt and a wing nut and have had not problems since. Maybe i oughta contact them and get the real deal back. :slight_smile:

18

We’ve got the last year’s Kurt trainer at $228 with **free **shipping now.

And then there is this thing called the “Secret Trainer Deal” that I can’t talk about. Here’s the links- they are in the Classified section too:

ST Deal: http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/shop/product.php?productid=16371&cat=0&page=1&featured

2007 Closeout on Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, $228 with free shipping this weekend:

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/shop/product.php?productid=16278&cat=272&page=1

PM with any questions or phone us at (313) 278-1350.

19

That beats REI’s price of $229 plus tax. Is there tax if ordered online?

20

(love my 1UP trainer)

The 1Up is a bit obscure but it is the one other trianer I would reccomend other than the KK Road Machine. I have an old QuikStand trainer - a company that is now out of business - which I believe has the same technology and resistance mech as the 1Up. Not sure but perhaps 1Up bought the QuikStand technology) These are outstanding units. Small compact and quiet. They don’t deliver super high resistance, but deliver a really nice spin - great for longer sessions or for times that you are just working on technique.