Trainers for Dummies?

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8 replies [Last post]
Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

I am looking to buy a trainer, and know nothing about them other than that some make more noise than others, and some are costlier than others. Of course I'd prefer little noise and little money...
Anybody care to enlighten me?

Anonymous's picture
<a href="http://www.OhReallyOreilly.com">Peter O'Reilly</a> (not verified)
training advice (of another kind)

"There's already a thread covering this topic, with a message posted as recently as today. It's contained in today's active threads list.

Before posting a new thread, it's advisable to use the ""search"" feature to check if a topic of interest has already been covered (recently). This forum contains a year plus worth (and growing) of readily available for ""search"" posts no less.

Thanks."

Anonymous's picture
Jody (not verified)
I saw that

"Yes, I saw the other thread. But that question was much more specific (and more advanced --- I don't even know what ""rollers"" or ""magnetic"" means); I'm looking for a wide, very elementary summary of available options..."

Anonymous's picture
<a href="http://www.OhReallyOreilly.com">Peter O'Reilly</a> (not verified)
it's all about buzz & netiquette

Well, if you post such message in that related threaded discussion, you might find a bit more honey. It's already attracted a few bees. It's also good netiquette.

Anonymous's picture
Jody (not verified)

Got exactly the answer I wanted below here.
Not sure why you felt the need to be so nasty about such a silly little thing --
I guess it's reactions like yours that build on the NYCC's reputation of being an unfriendly place...

Anonymous's picture
Peter (not verified)
Jumping to conclusions

Got exactly the answer I wanted below here.

Good for you. That's great.

Not sure why you felt the need to be so nasty about such a silly little thing

Who said what you write is silly? And how am I being nasty? For the record - neither was intended. Rather, I was only being instructive. Reread my replies and I'm sure you will see how this is so.

If I was knowledgeable enough to write something about trainers, I surely would have shared it with you.

I've posted quite a few messages on this site. Maybe a hundred at this point. Your the 1st to reply with such a negative reply.

I guess it's reactions like yours that build on the NYCC's reputation of being an unfriendly place...

Perhaps you should try to visit other bike forums/message boards. I have done so for many years. While this message board is far from perfect, it is quite a bit more friendly than many other places found online. (That's just my opinion.)

No small wonder why. This message board is actively moderated (unlike many). One of those responsible for such is yours truly. Additionally, the creation, logic and design of this message board software is the work of guess who?

Along with many others in the club, I am a stakeholder and wish to keep this a friendly place to visit.

Please reread my replies to you. I then ask you who is being silly and nasty? Need not answer. Let's move on and please continue to enjoy the site. Thank you.

Anonymous's picture
Tom Laskey (not verified)
Types of Indoor trainers

There are essentially two general categories of indoor trainers, rollers and resistance trainers. Resistance trainers refer to devices where your bike is in someway held in place either just around the rear axle or both the rear axle and front fork. You will see these referred to as wind trainers, mag trainers or fluid trainers. There are other types but those are the main ones. Wind, mag and fluid are the methods by which resistance is added. The wind trainer employs a fan inside the mechanism; mag, magnetic resistance; fluid, you can probably guess. Wind trainers usually have a lever of some sort that allows the user to vary the resistance. The conventional wisdom is that they offer more of a road feel but of course there is much dispute. I currently use a fluid trainer that automatically adjusts the resistance based on pedaling speed. You can further adjust the resistance by shifting gears but there is no other way for a user to control the resistance. I don't know the advantages of mag trainers and have never used one.

Rollers are much simpler, sort of a treadmill for the bike. They consist of 3 metal cylinders bolted horizontally on either side to 2 metal rails. One cylinder (roller) is at the front of the rails for the front wheel of the bike, the other two are at the rear for the back wheel. An industrial strength rubber band connects the front roller to the closest rear roller. You simply place the bike on the rollers, hop on the bike and start pedaling as if you were on the road with nothing holding the bike up but your own balance. Of course it's much harder at first than I make it sound here, most people place the roller in a doorway or narrow hallway so if they tip over they can brace themselves against the wall.

More conventional wisdom: resistance trainers build strength and provide a better cardio workout, rollers help perfect your spin and skills. Counter argument: Resistance trainers allow you to do one-legged pedaling drills which help your spin, different roller systems offer different levels of resistance.

If all this too confusing, check out the websites of various manufacturers. Kreitler is considered the king of rollers; Cyclops makes all kinds of resistance trainers. There are many others as well. Do a search on indoor bicyce trainers or some such and it will probably yield more that will ever need to know on the subject. You can also email me and I’ll try to answer any specific questions you may have.

Anonymous's picture
Jody (not verified)
thank you!

Thank you Tom ---
this is exactly what I was looking for! I think I can take it from here...

Anonymous's picture
Tim Casey (not verified)
here's a good review

This is not an endorsement but more food for thought. See the article from Cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2003/reviews/cycleops_fluid2

cycling trips