.png "Pre 2011 B-SIG Grad")
Need some input; Fluid? Magnetic?
I would primarily use it during the winter months when it's impossible for me to ride during the week. Noise level is a concern, as is durability. Ideally, I would use it two to three times a week, from one to three hours a session.
Try spinning classes...No worries for noise level. My trainer just collects dust.
Big deal: My Nordic Track collects dust, serves as a coat rack, and makes a dandy jungle gym for the (very fit) cat.
3 hours on a trainer? Impressive George!
oh yeah, i forgot...I sold mine. Then I bought rollers. Guess what - sold that too.
That said, I second the gym/spinning class idea. I went with an inexpensive magnetic trainer and found very little resistance. Then I upgraded to a Computrainer and rode it 8,000 miles over two winters. Bored myself to tears and found that to ride well outside you have to train outside. I sold the Computrainer for a mountain bike and studded tires since I would have to get into a car to go to the gym. If I were in NYC it would be a local gym/spinning class and change of pace until March.
My Tacx Fortius is gathering dust too, so is the bike I purchased for it.
George,
First I am wondering if you are doing a round trip to river road, or a scoot to state line , in the 3 hour session on the trainer.
Second, I am a member of the trainer ownership club, and I have also used it as a coat rack, a dust collector and its indefinite loan to someone who thought they would use it ,but now is collecting dust.
So listen to your friends, don't do it.
1UP is a quality trainer for less than $300. I've had mine for 7 years. It folds up nicely which is a plus for apartment living. Its also pretty quiet - I just put a 1" rubber pad underneath. What's more valuable though is positioning - in front of the TV, preferably with streaming Netflix -so you can watch movies - here, wireless headphones are helpful, or, foreign films with subtitles.
DB
I cannot imagine George ever wearing wireless headphones... or watching a foreign film with subtitles while on a trainer, for that matter... ;o)
For me, an indoor trainer has been a great investment. Paid for itself many times over in gym fees I don't pay, etc. And spinning classes? Eesh!! Yeah, riding outside is best but it's not always practical, especially in the winter months. Who wants to spend more time getting dressed/undressed and cleaning your bike than actually riding your bike.
I've got a Cycleops Fluid trainer, works fine. Debbie and I have put in many hours/miles on it and it still works great after 10 years or so. The trick is getting the right pressure between roller and tire. Takes some experimenting but definitely doable.
And yes, be sure to have a healthy supply of movies, music, reading material, whatever. One of my favorite workouts is conducting a recording of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" while on the trainer. Killer workiout!!!
Also, check out The Sufferfest, lot's o' good indoor training stuff there.
Yeah, old Igor definitely got his groove on
George, I see you chafing at the bit in a trainer. Rear wheel locked in? No movement or risk of falling? No challenge to stabilizing muscles?
If you can, try to borrow a trainer, and then a set of rollers, for a few days. See which one you like using--and setting up and taking down--and listening to. Maybe you won't really like either. Maybe you're better off with a mtn bike in Forest Hills Park, or running.
However, I envision you on an 81-inch fixed gear churning away on rollers. By springtime you emerge like Hector of the flashing helmet, charging the Achaeans who tremble in their knees.*
(*True, Hector was eventually killed by Achilles, but he was the better all-around man. And both their fates were sealed by Zeus.)
You can probably get a horsehair crest custom-made for the bike helmet.
Thanks to all who replied here and thru e-mail... you guys made the decision easy for me.
George
if anything...the torture of sitting on the trainer no matter what you are listening to or watching or reading or conducting can be unbearable...one of my dad's favorite sayings was "lo que no mata engorda" "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". after a few weeks on the trainer enduring the mental torture of the boredom and the emotional strain of not being out there you will be more fit to handle anything out there on the road in the early spring. so i say suck it up as you would a 5x river road reapeat and " just do it" baby!
