Bike trainer for $100 (give or take)?

jenotter · Jan 9, 2011

I have $100 of Christmas cash (thank you, mom and dad) and I realized today that the thing that would make tri training about 1000% easier would be a trainer. I just can't get out there most weekdays, although I may start at least one day bike commuting to work (about 15m each way).
 
Is there a decent trainer that I can get for about $100? I'm willing to go a little higher, but not too much. I honestly know nothing about trainers.

TriBob · Jan 10, 2011

I would go with a mag trainer. I used one for years and still have it. check out this one
 
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FF2-MAG-Trainer-by-Forza%2Fdp%2FB000QRMUHI%2Fref%3Dpd_sbs_sg_4" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/F2-MAG-Trainer-by-Forza/dp/B000QRMUHI/ref=pd_sbs_</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FF2-MAG-Trainer-by-Forza%2Fdp%2FB000QRMUHI%2Fref%3Dpd_sbs_sg_4" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">sg_4</a>

jroden · Jan 10, 2011

it depends if you have downstairs neighbors or will be working out during naptime for the kids. A fan type trainer is the loudest, you don't see many of them any more. The mag units can be a bit loud, but if you find one with a decent flywheel, a stand that is solid and easy to getthe bike in/out it can be a good deal. A used fluid less than a couple years old may come along, but more like $200. the old cyclops fluids developed leaks, the kurts seem like good units

pcsronbo · Jan 10, 2011

I searched for a long time for a good used fluid on ebay and couldn't find one for a good price (after shipping, remember they're heavy).
 
do you need it to be quiet for the kiddos? if not, get a mag. I think I spent $117 on my latest one

Boyerdavea · Jan 10, 2011

<a href="http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=AS-FT1-BASE&catalogId=10052&storeId=10053&langId=-1&cm_mmc=Email-_-Nashbar-_-110110Mo-_-Products&[email protected]" target="_blank">Ascent Fluid trainer</a> on sale at Nashbar. I don't know anything about them though.

cak73 · Jan 10, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Boyerdavea <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1975501"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> <a href="http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=AS-FT1-BASE&catalogId=10052&storeId=10053&langId=-1&cm_mmc=Email-_-Nashbar-_-110110Mo-_-Products&[email protected]" target="_blank">Ascent Fluid trainer</a> on sale at Nashbar. I don't know anything about them though.
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LOTS of trainers on sale at Bike Nashbar...
 
<a href="http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=202282&catalogId=10052&storeId=10053&langId=-1&cm_mmc=Email-_-Nashbar-_-110110Mo-_-TrainersHero&[email protected]" target="_blank">http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=202282&catalogId=10052&storeId=10053&langId=-1&cm_mmc=Email-_-Nashbar-_-110110Mo-_-TrainersHero&[email protected]</a>

jenotter · Jan 10, 2011

Thanks everyone!!! I really appreciate the feedback.
 
Noise really isn't a big issue - it will be in the garage which is far enough away from sleeping otters to not bother them. Frankly, if the noise of our treadmill doesn't bother them, nothing will!!

I'll check out Nashbar today...

jenotter · Jan 10, 2011

Bob...that one looks good too!!
 
So...knowing nothing about all this...what's the difference between mag and fluid??

Boyerdavea · Jan 10, 2011

I use the cycle ops fluid2 trainer... I have mag trainer as well, and it just did not feel nearly as "real" as the fluid trainer. 
 
Becarefull buying a trainer though. Once you get one you have no excuse not to ride....
 
Also, if you don't like running on a TM, you will probably feel the same on a trainer. It can get boring.

jenotter · Jan 10, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Boyerdavea <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1975522"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Becarefull buying a trainer though. Once you get one you have no excuse not to ride....
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LOL! Yeah...I know. That's part of the reason I want one. Honestly, BK (before kids) it wasn't an issue...I could get out in the morning before work no problem, or just ride to work. I don't like going in the dark...we're surrounded by too many busy streets and even if I were to wear enough reflective/light-up gear to rival a Christmas tree, I still wouldn't feel safe. 

So...seems like a trainer is the next best thing.

zojmn151 · Jan 10, 2011

I got a fluid trainer from either performance bike or nashbar - love it! spent ~$150 including shipping. Easy to put the bike on and use. I got one with a remote resistance lever, but frankly never use it.

TriBob · Jan 10, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jenotter <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1975518"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Bob...that one looks good too!!
 
So...knowing nothing about all this...what's the difference between mag and fluid??
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 The fluid are supposedly quieter; but, my mag trainer did not make much noise until it was 6-7 years old. The fluid has a power curve, meaning it will get much harder to pedal the faster you go. Helps simulate road and hills. I have hit 175 rpms on the mag trainer; but, think only 140 on the fluid.

hobey · Jan 10, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by TriBob <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1975550"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
I have hit 175 rpms on the mag trainer; but, think only 140 on the fluid.</div>
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Nice. I've only been able to hit 121 rpm on my fluid.
 
Looks like Coach Troy may have a new girlfriend.

He's a player, an evil one to be sure.

jenotter · Jan 10, 2011

Thanks Bob...appreciate it!

MBannon · Jan 11, 2011

And just a quick suggestion when you start that commute...
 
My commute is roughly the same distance as yours. I find that if I commute both directions, I am generally too tired to get much of a run or swim workout in the same day. So what I frequently do is put the bike on the car and drive to work, then leave the car at work overnight and ride home. The next morning I ride back to work and put the bike back on the car and drive home. That gives me two days of bike workouts and leaves enough energy for another pretty solid workout at lunchtime.

jenotter · Jan 11, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by MBannon <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1975984"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> And just a quick suggestion when you start that commute...
 
My commute is roughly the same distance as yours. I find that if I commute both directions, I am generally too tired to get much of a run or swim workout in the same day. So what I frequently do is put the bike on the car and drive to work, then leave the car at work overnight and ride home. The next morning I ride back to work and put the bike back on the car and drive home. That gives me two days of bike workouts and leaves enough energy for another pretty solid workout at lunchtime.
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Those are really good tips. I agree - I'd probably do it on a day I'm biking only if I can swing that.

cak73 · Jan 11, 2011

My mag trainer has a progressive resistance thing, too. It's a CycleOps Magneto.
 
It's never ever like being out on the road for me. I'm a lot more slow by quite a few mph on the trainer, but my RPE is higher than it is on the road. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by TriBob <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1975550"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> The fluid has a power curve, meaning it will get much harder to pedal the faster you go.
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jroden · Jan 12, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by cak73 <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1976056"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> My mag trainer has a progressive resistance thing, too. It's a CycleOps Magneto.
 
It's never ever like being out on the road for me. I'm a lot more slow by quite a few mph on the trainer, but my RPE is higher than it is on the road. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by TriBob <a href="/forum/thread/72075/bike-trainer-for-100-give-or-take#post_1975550"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> The fluid has a power curve, meaning it will get much harder to pedal the faster you go.
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speed on a trainer has no meaning, overcoming air resistance is what takes all your power when you go faster and the trainer can't simulate that, just use heart rate or rpe on the trainer. Cadence is also interesting to manipulate

Bike trainer for $100 (give or take)?

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