Bike Trainers for the unambitious

April 19, 2009 10:04 AM

I'm need lots of information about bike trainers (for the non bike rider)

I'm not a serious bike rider, but like to take mine out when the weather is nice. Unfortunately, I've just had an arm injury, so real bike riding and most of any cardio equipment at the gym is out for the time being (as well as any patience I have for getting to the gym). I'd love to be able to use my bike in my apartment as a stationary bike while I recover. Is this just a crazy scenario or do other people do the same thing? What are the logistics of using one (setting it up, making space, etc)? From other questions it seems that a fluid trainer is my best option, but is there a cheap one that someone can recommend?

posted by Unred to health & fitness (8 comments total)

I love love LOVE my fluid trainer! It got me through the cold months of the midwest, and it's not cumbersome at all. It's super easy to put together and the resistance is great. Any bike can fit it. I bought this one and it's fabulous. Cheap and easy and I ride about 4 hours a week (cumulative). It works very well AND has a lifetime guarantee! Spring has finally sprung, though, so I'll be popping it right back in its box to bring it out next year.

Good luck!
posted by cachondeo45 at 10:14 AM on April 19, 2009

It's not crazy at all. I bought a (well used) bike trainer years ago and set it up in the basement with one of my old bikes. I use it to stay in shape over the winter. It has out-lasted every "stationary bicycle" type of product that I've ever bought, and was much cheaper than any of them.

It's taking up a space of about 3 feet wide by 6 feet long. If you can get some scrap carpet about that size to put under the bike+trainer, this will soak up any oil that drips off the chain, tire rubber crumbs, and of course, sweat. If you have a floor that you care about at all, do not omit this!

You'll want something to put under the front wheel to lift it up to the same height as the trainer lifts up the back wheel. Otherwise you'll be leaning forward and putting more weight on your hands.

You will want a powerful fan in front of it to keep you cool, otherwise your workouts will end up being limited by overheating. You will probably also want a TV, or at least some music to listen to, because riding indoors is very b o r i n g.

Vibration transmitted through the floor might be a concern to neighbors... probably the scrap carpet already referenced will help with that a bit. Expect death threats if you do this at 3:00am.

I'm not going to mention specific products because it was years ago I bought this thing, so any knowledge I might have had about specific products is certainly obsolete by now.
posted by FishBike at 10:20 AM on April 19, 2009

If you spend any time talking with cyclists, you will hear about their love/hate relationship with their trainers during the cold/snowy months, when putting the bike on a trainer is the only way one is going to get any "riding." I have a Kurt Kinetic that's very nice, but I would just as soon use it as little as possible.

Instead of dropping money for a new one, I would recommend you buy a used one, as there is a fairly brisk trade in used models amongst the cyclist crowd. Check Craigslist in your local burg, or check at your LBS. Hell, maybe even someone will even lend you theirs.

When you do get one, you will also need: a fan (to help keep you cool), a phone book (to prop under your front wheel, if you do not buy the "wheel block" piece of plastic), and some very entertaining DVDs or loud music to keep you entertained. Some people like to watch DVDs of classic bike races, e.g., Paris-Roubaix or the Giro. You don't need much space, but make sure to have a table nearby, so you can keep your towel, drink, phone, tv remote at hand.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:31 AM on April 19, 2009

i chose mine (a cyclops fluid model) because it's quieter than most others. you'll find that is a major factor when trying to listen to music or watch a movie.
posted by Señor Pantalones at 11:41 AM on April 19, 2009

My husband used his trainer after a serious wrist break that required surgery, so I think the bike trainer during recovery is a great idea. He put his time trial bike on there, so the aerobars were helpful in providing an additional resting spot for his arms during rides - it was a little painful to be on the typical.

For specific models, I also recommend a fluid trainer - specifically the Kurt Kinetic trainer. Previously, I had a CycleOps fluid trainer that slowly leaked out all its fluid over about 2000 miles of riding (granted, they will replace the flywheel if this happens, but it takes awhile). I've also owned mag trainers from Minoura and CycleOps over the years, but the Blackburn really is the best.
posted by smalls at 3:16 PM on April 19, 2009

not sure what happened there to that one sentence... sorry about that. I was just trying to say that aerobars + one armed riding can be more comfortable than using the drop handlebars alone.
posted by smalls at 3:19 PM on April 19, 2009

I also have a Kurt Kinetic and love using it when I do. Its pretty easy to set up. They're are a little pricey so I would second what computech_apolloniajames suggested and buy used. Go to their website for more info on each model. Its quiet and does not overheat as many fluid trainers can if used for lengthy periods of time. But theres nothing like cycling outdoors.

computech_apolloniajames lists all my thoughts on what to have close by, but once your on, you don't want to get off midstream for anything.
posted by Taurid at 3:25 PM on April 19, 2009

Thanks for all the help! I have one ordered and on the way. I can't wait.
posted by Unred at 4:36 PM on April 19, 2009