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I need a trainer for my bike, any suggestions? |
I need an indoor trainer for my bike, since it's a bit too windy to ride outside right now. What are some good brands, and price ranges? Would purchasing one on eBay be safe, or should I buy one from a bike store? Any help is greatly appreciated. Magura, Minoura, cyclops, elite, etc...check the web for deals. I don't see a problem with buying used one on ebay. Just make sure the shipping charged isn't fixed and the seller has a good rep. I would buy a new one from a web retailer or a local bike shop. That way, if something is wrong with it, you can take/send it back. Also, don't be afraid to spend a few bucks and get a good one. It will last for decades, so spending an extra 50-100$ works out to less than 5$ per year. I bought a minoura mag trainer in 1993 and it still works great. I use it 3 times a week in the cold weather and take it to races to warm up on. Magnetic loaders (called mag trainers) are probably the best bang for the buck. They're cheaper than fluid trainers and quieter than wind trainers Wind trainers have a fan that spins and creates resistance: pros - more 'real' loading simulation, cheaper cons - noisy. not just a little noisy. the fan gets so loud you can't talk, listen to TV or hear music unless you're wearing headphones. If you have a significant other in the house, they will hate you for buying it. Fluid trainers have an oil in a chamber that creates resistance pros - same 'real' loading as wind loaders, very quiet cons - more expensive The 'real' loading is that it simulates the non-linear resistence of riding on the road. The mag loaders have linear resistance. What this means is that with a mag loader, if you want to go twice as 'fast', you put in twice the power. With a wind or fluid trainer, if you want to go twice a 'fast' you need to put in the _square_ of the power. Trust me when I tell you that a mag loader on the highest setting and the bike in the hardest gear ione HELLUVA workout. The types that hook up to a computer like the Computrainer are mag loaders, but they are electronically controlled so that the loading is non- linear. These are _very_ expensive. Get one that has a resistance control you can mount on your handlebar. That way you don't have to get off the bike to vary your workouts. There are several different kinds of indoor trainers. Some work on wind resistance, some are magnetic and some are fluid resistance. I have one that works on centrifugal force. Check it out at 1upUSA.com. The other kinds you can check out at performancebike.com, nashbar.com or universalcycles.com. Any good bike shop in your area might have a few in stock they can show you. The prices will range from $200 or so up to $500+. The real expensive ones can interface with your computer and simulate road riding. I would stay away from ebay, you'll only get used stuff and because of the weight, whatever you might save, you'll pay in shipping costs. Look for a fluid resistance trainer, you don't have to go top of the line, but you don't want to go bottom either. Also look into picking up a cheap rear wheel and cassette to swap out when you use your trainer. Otherwise you will burn through good tires like crazy |
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