Get In Shape With An Indoor Bike Trainer

What Should I Get As My First Bike Trainer?

A few immediate questions come to mind when looking for your first bike trainer.
How often do you ride and for how long?
Do you ride a road bike or a mountain bike?
Are you a weekend warrior or Cat 1 rider?

Here is how I look at buying your first indoor bike trainer.
If you are riding a mountain bike, we can almost end the conversation here by asking you to look into a rim drive trainer. More specifically, check out the Minoura Rim Drive Trainer. You will be able to keep your rear tire on your mountain bike (without changing it to a slick tire) because a rim drive trainer uses the rim of your rear tire, rather than the rear tire running on a roller. When you have a mountain bike and try to run it on a regular bike trainer (not a rim drive trainer), it usually makes one heck of a noise and can tear your rear tire apart.

If you have a road bike and want an inexpensive bike trainer, look at the Bell Motivator Mag. You'll not only get what most consider an upgrade from a wind trainer (because this is a magnetic trainer) but at a fantastic price. The Bell Motivator Mag usually sells for about $100 list but you can sometimes find it on sale for $80 over at Amazon.

Have a road bike and want to train on one of the better trainers on the market? How about a trainer used by the USA Cycling Team? Then take a good look at the Kinetic Road Machine.
You'll have a top rated bike trainer and because this is a fluid trainer that gives a road realistic ride, you'll find yourself spending more time on your indoor trainer this off season. Plus, this trainer has patented technology which makes the fluid chamber leak proof... a feature which cannot be said of any other manufacturers fluid trainers. The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine offers a quiet ride and because it is Powertap calibrated, it will adjust resistance as you change speed.

Minoura RDA-800 Rim Drive Trainer " Red 5 Levels.

Rating:	(5 reviews)
	$339.99
	No

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

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

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

Rating:	(166 reviews)
	$
	No

CycleOps Trainers

CycleOps carries the full gamut of trainers, starting with a wind trainer, moving to a mag trainer, a fluid trainer, and finally a roller trainer. CycleOps Trainers come in a classic series as well as pro series. About the only thing not in their lineup in regards to an indoor bike trainer is a rim drive trainer but with CycleOps, they always bring you the very best in quality home trainers. Put another way, CycleOps trainers are like most other trainers except they ramp things up a notch.

CycleOps Wind Trainer

The CycleOps Wind Trainer will still have some of the typical noise that most wind trainers have but there will be a difference in the quality of the trainer. This CycleOps Wind Trainer has a heavy duty flywheel and is setup in such a manner that it provides progressive resistance. Because of the weight of the flywheel, you will have more of a road like feel as compared to most wind trainers made by competing manufacturers.

CycleOps Wind Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Rating:	(50 reviews)
	$143.95
	Yes ($25 minimum)

CycleOps Magnetic Trainer

Going from the CycleOps wind trainer to the CycleOps magnetic trainer (model 9005) and you ramp it up a notch. You'll notice even better resistance and a smoother, quieter ride. There are five different resistance settings which if you have the motivation, will make sure your legs stay in tip top shape during the off-season. As a bonus, the frame allows you to level the feet... although I still recommend a riser block. The CycleOps magnetic trainer can be folded away for easy storage.

CycleOps Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

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

CycleOps Magnetic Trainer with Bar Mounted Remote Shifter

I especially like this trainer. This version of the CycleOps mag trainer (model 9006) allows you to change resistance on the fly by using a handlebar shifter. With some trainers you need to change resistance right on the unit. Fine if changing gears gives you adequate resistance the entire time you are on the bike. Otherwise you will find yourself getting off the bike to change resistance settings on the trainer. Not with the CycleOps Magnetic Trainer with Bar Mounted Remote Shifter. You simply start riding the bike on the trainer and when you want to increase or decrease resistance, you just change settings as you are pedaling. So, this model has all of the benefits of the above model (9005) with the added feature of the handlebar shifter.

CycleOps Mag+ Indoor Bicycle Trainer Trainer with Bar Mounted Remote Shifter

Rating:	(24 reviews)
	$188.99
	Yes ($25 minimum)

CycleOps Magneto Indoor Bicycle Trainer

This version of a magnetic trainer is what CycleOps calls the world's first and only mag trainer with progressive resistance. It features power band technology which is supposed to have the largest range of resistance which is supposed to simulate the easiest of spins all the up to tough climbs. And all of this without having to get off the trainer to change the resistance. There are very good reviews on the CycleOps Magneto Indoor Bicycle Trainer with the exception of a few complaints about the noise level.

CycleOps Magneto Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Rating:	(17 reviews)
	$200.00
	Yes ($25 minimum)

CycleOps Fluid 2 Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Called model 9302, the CycleOps Fluid 2 Trainer has the benefit of power band technology with a larger flywheel. In fact, this trainer is a hefty/sturdy 22.5 pounds. The larger flywheel gives yet a more realistic road feel. Combined with the power band technology and it gives an even better resistance band from easy spinning to lung burning climbs. The best thing is that you do not need to get off the unit because this is progressive resistance at its finest in a classic series model. Just check out the reviews. As an added benefit, with the Fluid 2 trainer you have now moved to a fluid unit. So, you have a quieter, smoother ride.

CycleOps Fluid 2 Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Rating:	(143 reviews)
	Too low to display
	Yes ($25 minimum)

CycleOps Rollers

I talked about the CycleOps Roller Trainer in an earlier post. Not exactly my cup of tea because I choose to be stable while riding an indoor bike trainer. With this roller trainer, you can concentrate on riding a straight line while maintaining balance. This will help to improve your technique during the long off season. If you have issues with long spans of concentration, a roller trainer may not be for you. However, if you've decided that you would like the CycleOps roller trainer, I highly recommend purchasing an add on, and that is the resistance unit. If I were to have the CycleOps Rollers show up on my doorstep, I'd most likely purchase the fork mount as well.

Rating:	No reviews. Be the first!
	$
	No

CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro Trainer

The CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro Trainer offers a lifetime warranty with a pro series frame on a bike trainer that boasts weekend warrior users as well as Cat 1 racers. It has flexible Power Curve Technology and can be adjusted to fit a large or small rider. Are you ready for four separate resistance levels which offers easy, flat road, interval, and a hill setting? This will probably be the smoothest ride that you will ever get with a magnetic trainer.

CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro Trainer

Rating:	(3 reviews)
	Too low to display
	No

CycleOps JetFluid Pro Trainer

Lets take a quick look at the CycleOps JetFluid Pro Trainer. Now with Power-Tuned technology and an inertia matching flywheel, you will see real world resistance. There are four distinct resistance curves which are said to offer a range between a simple warmup to vein popping hill climbs.

Rating:	No reviews. Be the first!
	$
	No

The CycleOps Pro Series Trainers Offer Easy Setup

I've often said that when choosing an indoor bike trainer, look towards the top manufacturers and those trainers which have the best reviews. Sure, you'll always see one or two reviewers who would badmouth nearly any product while you would also see reviewers who give 5 stars to something without a single comment. So, look over the comments and you will soon see why CycleOps Trainers not only have a large following but also get the respect they rightly deserve.

Feedback on Bicycle Trainers?

I would like some feedback on bicycle trainers such as the pros and cons and where to buy one without spending too much money.

Lets quickly go through each type of bike trainer. We will start out with what is generally known as the least expensive and work our way up from there.

A wind trainer has your bike setup by using your rear tire on a roller and resistance is provided by a fan (wind). Some wind trainers allow for adjustable resistance settings while some do not. In the case where there are no resistance settings, you would change the gears on your bike to increase or decrease resistance. A wind trainer is known to be loud and will give the least road like feel of any trainer.

CycleOps Wind Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Rating:	(50 reviews)
	$143.95
	Yes ($25 minimum)

A magnetic trainer is a middle of the road trainer. I like to talk about magnetic trainers because they are affordable for most riders looking for an indoor bike trainer plus a company named Bell makes the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer and this trainer is cheaper than most wind trainers on the market. It gives a better road like feel, although resistance changes only when speed changes. Still, it is the #1 best selling bike trainer on Amazon. Instead of a fan, the roller is often surrounded by a hub or flywheel which has magnets... thus magnetic trainer. You will generally find less noise with a mag trainer as compared to a wind trainer. If you are looking for more features, check out the CycleOps brand. Otherwise the Bell Motivator Mag has a fantastic price.

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

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

Rim Drive Trainers mainly got their start for use by mountain bike riders. If you use a rim drive trainer, the rear tire will be propelled through use of its rim (rather than the tire running on a roller). This makes for a quiet ride. So, mountain bike users do not need to remove the rear tire on their bike when using this indoor bicycle trainer. A rim drive trainer works just as well for road bikes.

Minoura RDA80D Rimdrive Trainer

Rating:	(8 reviews)
	$299.97
	No

Roller Trainers use both tires of the bike. It is mainly used to keep a road like feel while maintaining balance. Some riders love roller trainers while others fall off and swear a lot. You will usually find one thing lacking from roller trainers and that is the ability to change resistance. This type of trainer above all others requires 100% concentration while riding.

Minoura Action Advantage Rollers Trainer

Rating:	(7 reviews)
	Too low to display
	No

Fluid Trainers are usually seen as the best road like feel indoor bike trainer on the market. They use a rear roller and fluid held in a chamber or hub which provides resistance. A fluid trainer (and sometimes a rim drive trainer) are seen as the quietest of all indoor bicycle trainers. If you want to ride what the USA Cycling Team rides, then choose a fluid trainer and get the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

Rating:	(166 reviews)
	Too low to display
	No

I highly recommend Amazon for purchasing a bike trainer. Amazon usually gives the best price on the market plus gives you the ability to look at reviews and see what others think of each individual bike trainer. You'll also find such a large selection to choose from (with bicycle accessories) that there really is no reason to go anywhere else.

Any Cheap Magnetic Trainers For Indoor Cycling?

The absolute best bang for your dollar has to be the Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer. Imagine a magnetic trainer that costs under $100 retail, where you can often pick up for $80 and it receives 4 out of 5 stars. Sure, the Bell Magnetic Trainer may be a little noisy for some and not have enough resistance for others but at $80 on sale, I give this trainer two thumbs up.

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

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

If you want another option, check out the Forza F2 Mag Trainer. This trainer currently receives 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon. You'll have variable magnetic resistance, a smooth riding trainer, and a nice heavy duty frame. Better yet, the retail price on this trainer is about $140 but at the present time you will find it going for $100 on Amazon.

Forza F-2 Trainer

Rating:	(78 reviews)
	$80.00
	No

So, there you've got it. My top 2 choices for cheap magnetic trainers for indoor cycling.

Do I Need To Order A Specific Bike Trainer For A Trek Road Bike?

A Trek road bike (which I also ride) like most road bike's and mountain bikes can use the same indoor bike trainer. So, you can choose to ride your bike on a wind trainer, magnetic trainer, fluid trainer, roller trainer, or rim drive trainer. Look at the trainers below for some ideas.

Here are the basics:

Wind Trainer - most of the time seen as a beginner indoor bike trainer. Plenty of noise and some complain that there is not enough resistance. I personally still use a wind trainer and while mine makes plenty of noise, it gives me adequate resistance. The Kurt Kinetic Cyclone trainer is probably the premier wind trainer on the market.

KURT KINETIC CYCLONE WIND TRAINER

Rating:	(4 reviews)
	$200.00
	No

Magnetic Trainer - middle of the road indoor bike trainer. Adequate resistance for most. Some great brands offered. Makes noise, but less as compared to a wind trainer. The Bell Motivator Mag is seen as a very good magnetic trainer and it is being offered at an incredible price.

Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer

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

Fluid Trainer - Flat out the best resistance. Besides a rim drive trainer, the fluid trainer makes the least amount of noise of all the rear wheel driven trainers. CycleOps and Kurt Kinetic are seen as the top fluid trainers within the industry. Check out the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine which has technology not used in any other indoor bicycle trainer.

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer

Rating:	(166 reviews)
	Too low to display
	No

Rim Drive Trainer - Great for mountain bikes. Works just as well with road bikes. A rim drive trainer uses the the rear rim instead of a rear roller to propel the bike on the trainer... of course with pedaling. So, what this means is that there is no need to replace the rear tire on a mountain bike if you are riding a rim drive trainer. If you choose any other trainer with a mountain bike, it is highly recommended that you change out the rear tire.

Minoura RDA80D Rimdrive Trainer

Rating:	(8 reviews)
	$299.97
	No

Roller Trainer - A roller trainer uses both wheels and balance is the major factor in using such a trainer. In fact, I don't recommend a roller trainer unless you are specifically using it to maintain the feeling of balance during a long period of off-season. You won't find much resistance with a roller trainer.

Minoura Action Roller Advance Wide Bicycle Trainer

Rating:	(8 reviews)
	$
	No

So, there you have it. You can use your Trek road bike on any of the above trainer or trainer types. The best thing about using a trainer during the off-season is that you will not only stay in shape but you can actually increase your strength and cardio with the right training program... or you can just enjoy sitting back and throw on an mp3 player or watch TV while riding your indoor bike trainer.