Trainers?

[sauce]

So I'm in the market for a trainer. I figure this way I can ride everyday, at least a little bit. 1. Do they help with speed?

My ex-bf was a roadie, and I remember him having rollers. I think he built the contraption himself (seems like it would be good for balancing) ... but these days all I see are these small sort of contraptions. I have no idea what to get. 2. Which is better?

3. Can you pick one up at a sporting goods store? 4. how much do they cost?

Thanks!

 

[Neccros]

I think George was selling one.... Im sure he would hook you up on a deal


Check with Chelle... she has one and might be good to ask as far as the results...

 

[LBmtb]

Yeah, I still have that trainer. Hit me up, sarah!

 

[Keith B]

I was also thinking of getting one of these but there are so many different sorts: fluid, magnetic, aero. Anyone know the pro's and cons? I hear some are realistic in recreating resistance that varies with speed and some arent. Some also make a hell of a lot of noise and vibration - which might not quite so fun for the people in the appartment below me :lol:

Edit: Got to love the internet for fast answers:

Bicycle trainer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheapest and noisiest: wind trainer type
Next: Magnetic
Next: fluid type
Best & most expensive: Centrifugal clutch type - also most realistic. Here's a pretty flash one for $300 @ Jenson.com BLACKBURN TRAKSTAND ULTRA TRAINER at JensonUSA.com

A friend of mine who used to race had a cheap wind/aero type one. The amount of air displacement when you were really cranking it was insane so we got 2 old vacuum cleaner hoses and directed them from the fan at the back wheel to underneath the front wheel so we got a nice breeze instead of pouring with sweat from all the exersion and no air flow. So I guess there could be some pros to the cheaper type.

 

[Pho'dUp]

I'd see if you can get one used. Ton of people buy'em and then never use them and sell them cheap.

As far as which type, I think resistance is good on all of them. I have a shih shih 1up and can't say it was worth it over a cheaper magnetic trainer my ex-girlfriend had. They both collect dust all the same. But I keep telling myself this is the year I'll use it.

 

[sauce]

well, i just hope i use it. everone says they don't use theirs! i figure i'll pull my tv out of hiding and watch the local news while i ride. sounds good, no? hehehe well, you orange county people don't have my problem -- the crazy traffic and constant lights of los angeles!

thanks for the info. keith! encyclopedias come in handy ... did you learn that in England? hehehehe i can't resist.

 

[PHAT TIRE]

Fluid is smoother but more expensive. Magnetic kind of pulsates. Make sure you get one with a remote sension control. If you plan on using your moutain bike on it, get a inter-rim kind. It has rollers that pinch the rim vs. riding on the tire tread. It's less bumpy and more quite. That's it. I have a Minoura that's great. Highly recommend as I have never had problems.

 

[crispy]

if you have a couple houndred at hand, like 600, they have some really neat computerized trainers that simulate rides and changes the resistence automatically for up and down hills and you can watch your virtual self on a computer screen. You even get this thing that you hook your forks up to (take the tire off and it fits on like a tire) and you can actually steer your virtual self too. Has tons of fancy readings on it. I wish I could afford it!

 

[Keith B]

Sarah - I was too busy drinking tea and visiting the Queen to attend the class on Encyclopedias