What Is The Best Bike Trainer?

Somehow I knew that inevitably someone would ask me this question and truth be told I've been dreading getting this through my website. A lot of factors come into play when trying to answer "what is the best bike trainer" and just by picking a single bike trainer, I will most likely tick off owners of other models/trainers.

So is this pick based on price, road realistic feel, quality of the bike trainer, or something else? Well, in the dozens of bike trainers that I've been in from less than $70 to over $2000, the only thing that really matters to me (I can use my own bike computer to track my ride) is the smoothness of the ride, having the same feel like I am riding outdoors, and having enough resistance to get a good workout. So in my opinion, what is the best bike trainer?

What Is The Best Bike Trainer?

Simple enough. For the options and price combined, I consider the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine the best bike trainer on the market today and give Kurt Kinetic bike trainers a big thumbs up!

The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine

Whats All The Fuss About Kurt Kinetic Bike Trainers?

A sorta strange question and maybe stranger place to be asked the question. While at the library today, I was asked about Kurt Kinetic bike trainers and why the top riders tend to gravitate towards Kurt Kinetic. I guess the question made sense because it came from a guy that I see from time to time at they gym and also on the road riding. Now while I'm at the gym, more than half the time you will see me on an exercise bike... that is until we approach winter and once the cold weather hits, I may be at home riding a Kurt Kinetic bike trainer.

This guy put a good together a good video about the Kurt Kinetic Rock And Roll Trainer.

Now I personally do not have experience riding the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll Trainer. The concept seems good to me but I'm more of a go in a straight line kind of guy, rather than rocking a bike back and forth. Maybe I learned that from my days as a bodybuilder and powerlifter. The thought process there was don't waste energy. However, Kurt Kinetic listened to its customers and this trainer was the result of what indoor cyclists wanted.

Kurt Kinetic Rock And Roll Bike Trainer

* The Most Road Realistic Ride Available On An Indoor Bike Trainer
* Most Stable Frame In The Industry
* Unconditional Lifetime Warranty

Those that know me understand that I'm partial to Kurt Kinetic bike trainers, perhaps because I think that they've nailed the fluid trainer down. Don't get me wrong, I like CycleOps too but I guess we all have to have our favorites. At one point you had to be very wary in choosing a fluid trainer because due to its inherent design, fluid trainers were prone to leak. Somewhere along the line Kurt Kinetic figured things out and I was trying to explain this to the guy at the library. I pointed him to this video about the Kurt Kinetic Fluid Resistance Unit. I think it says it all.

Perhaps my personal favorite trainer is the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. I did a writeup on the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine here. I've found that it provided the smoothest ride that I've ever had on a bike trainer. To me it acted as close to riding my bike outdoors as I've ever felt on a bike trainer.

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine

* Superior Progressive Resistance
* Wattage Calibrated Resistance Unit
* Realistic Slowdown
* Unconditional Lifetime Warranty

Oh yeah. And unless I'm mistaken, the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine is still the official bike trainer of the USA Cycling Team (please correct me if I'm wrong).

So, you can see that I do hold some allegiance to Kurt Kinetic trainers. I realize that there are other trainers made by Kurt Kinetic but I was just trying to relay information to the guy at the library why between the road realistic feel, the stability and quality of the trainers themselves, and how the trainers are backed by an unconditional lifetime warranty, it is a hard combination to beat. My recommendation as we approach the colder months is to stay in shape this winter by riding a Kurt Kinetic bike trainer.

Top Rated Bike Trainers For Every Budget

Today we are looking at 4 top rated bike trainers that can meet nearly everyone's budget. From mag trainers all the way to one of the most popular fluid trainers on the market today. Bike trainers are well known as a fantastic way to keep in shape or get in shape in the winter but they also are great to use when the weather just can't seem to cooperate. You don't need much room to setup a bike trainer and best of all, once you know how to set one up, you can usually have your bike on a trainer and pedalling in a matter of a couple of minutes.

Today, there are plenty of different types of trainers on the market. Everything from the basic wind trainer to rim drive trainers which are great for mountain bike users. However, thanks to this video, lets just look at four of the very top rated bike trainers on the market today, where when on sale you can find prices between about $80 and $320.

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Rating:	(364 reviews)
	$89.99
	Yes ($25 minimum)

CycleOps Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Rating:	(55 reviews)
	Too low to display
	Yes ($25 minimum)

Forza F-2 Trainer

Rating:	(78 reviews)
	$80.00
	No

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

Rating:	(166 reviews)
	Too low to display
	No

Kurt Kinetic Trainers

I consider Kurt Kinetic bike trainer to be the cream of the crop. I've been on many a bike trainer and have to
say that once you've ridden Kurt Kinetic, you know you are riding a quality trainer. Perhaps my favorite trainer is the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. But don't listen to me. The Road Machine is the official bike trainer of the USA Cycling Team.

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

Rating:	(166 reviews)
	Too low to display
	No

I have to say that I have not personally used the Kinetic Rock 'n Roll Trainer but I am intrigued by its design.

Kinetic by Kurt Rock and Roll Indoor Bicycle Trainer (Green)

Rating:	(28 reviews)
	$469.00
	Yes ($25 minimum)

Kurt Kinetic Power Computer Review

Interested in a power meter? Well, Kurt Kinetic has one and it is at an incredible price. There is an issue though. You must have a Kurt Kinetic bike trainer in order to use this power computer. In fact, the Kinetic Power Computers will only provide you with accurate power readings when you are riding a Kinetic Fluid Trainer. It comes in both wired and wireless versions and retails for $80 (wired) and $185 (wireless), although you can often find the Kurt Kinetic Power Computer at a discount at Amazon.

Do you know what kind of power you are producing?
Are you making progress on your indoor bike trainer?
Are you truly building fitness, endurance, strength, leg speed, and power?

Well, that is what a power meter is for and the Kurt Kinetic Power Computer helps to let you know how you are doing on the bike trainer.

Graeme Street, owner for cyclo-club.com dives into cycling power meters to hep you, the everyday cyclist decide if investing in one of these high tech devices is worth the money. Kurt Kinetic has an inexpensive option for us, but how does it stack up against other power meters?

On the positive side, you can use this power meter on or off the trainer. You'll be happy to find standard bike computer functions like the following:

* Speed
* 4 Keys
* Auto Start
* Max. Speed
* Speed bar (% of max. speed)
* Average Speed
* Speed Comparison
* Distance 1
* Distance 2
* ODO 1
* ODO2
* ODO 1+2
* Ride time 1
* Ride time 2
* Distance Countdown
* Time to arrival (arrival time/time remain)
* % to arrival (Bar display)
* 2nd Wheel size
* Time (12/24hr)
* Auto sleep
* Calorie expenditure / Fat burn
* Calorie
* Stopwatch
* Auto Lap (Time/Distance)
* Power
* Max Power
* Avg Power
* Temperature (C/F)
* Max Temperature
* Min Temperature
* Easy Caibration
* Service interval reminder
* EL Backlight
* Cadence
* Average Cadence
* Max Cadence
* Low battery indication

Again, the Kinetic Power Computer can only be used with a Kinetic fluid bike trainer. This power computer is specifically calibrated for Kurt Kinetic trainers. While the options and quality won't match up to a $500 or $1000 power computer, the Kinetic Power Computer does say that it is accurate within + or - 5%. I believe that even the more expensive power meters only guarantee accuracy within + or - 3%. Also, you will not be able to load data from this power computer to a computer via USB cable or any other device. It simply isn't an option. For the price, it delivers accurate power (watt) readings as follows:

Kinetic Power Formula along with proprietary software accurately estimates the cumulative effect of 16 different interactive forces. This power curve is based on the "average " rider on the "outdoor ride" using the following cubic function: P = (5.244820) * S + (0.01968) * S3. S=speed in miles per hour, P=power in Watts

Rating:	No reviews. Be the first!
	$
	No

Kinetic by Kurt Wireless Power Computer

Rating:	(7 reviews)
	$109.95
	No