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Date: 23 Sep 2007 22:18:19
From: Hud
Subject: Trainer or Stationary Bike
I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor cycing.
Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm primarily
interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride my bike (Trek
7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What brand/model is a
quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. I've only been
riding for a month. Today I completed 25 miles. It's my longest ride so
far.





 
Date: 25 Sep 2007 13:48:42
From: SlowRider
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
On Sep 25, 8:10 am, Ted <plpf...@gmail.com > wrote:
> I use a Cycle Ops magneto in the winter and like it. Make sure you
> have the right stuff to listen to, either training audio or tunes.

I second that, but I set mine up so I can watch TV. Time does pass
more slowly on a trainer than out on the road, but you can either put
on a movie to distract yourself, or get some training videos (such as
Spinervals) for focused workouts. (I think Cyclops trainers already
come with a video to start you off.)

Old Tour de France videos are also fun -- especially the mountain
stages. Shift to a hard gear when they're going uphill, then spin a
fast, easy gear when they're descending.

...but -- I'm not ready for winter just yet...!


- JR



 
Date: 25 Sep 2007 07:51:33
From: joseph.santaniello@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
On Sep 25, 4:40 pm, landotter <landot...@gmail.com > wrote:
> On Sep 23, 9:18 pm, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
> > through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor cycing.
> > Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer?
>
> If you have the room, a dedicated bike can be really nice--but
> expensive. I often see very nice used ones on my local craigslist.

A cheap stationary bike sucks. Wobbly, not finely adjustable, poor
resistance, etc. But a good one at a nice price is a different matter.

Joseph



 
Date: 25 Sep 2007 07:50:22
From: joseph.santaniello@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
On Sep 25, 4:10 pm, Ted <plpf...@gmail.com > wrote:
> On Sep 24, 7:24 pm, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > "Frank Drackman" <frankdr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> >news:4bydnWJfjvaZb2rbnZ2dnUVZ_qGknZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> > > "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > >news:46f71e77$0$19578$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> > >> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
> > >> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor
> > >> cycing. Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm
> > >> primarily interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride
> > >> my bike (Trek 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What
> > >> brand/model is a quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are
> > >> appreciated. I've only been riding for a month. Today I completed 25
> > >> miles. It's my longest ride so far.
>
> > > I have a stationary bike and a fluid trainer. The stationary bike is much
> > > more solid. I can switch positions, get out of the saddle, more of a
> > > similar experience to riding outside. The downside is that it is bulky
> > > and you really need a dedicated space for it.
>
> > > I bet that you will get the roller people responding to your question and
> > > explain why they are the best option.
>
> > Well, I'm interested in anything that works smoothly and that will not send
> > me through the garage door. Lol. I'm going to hold off buying anything for
> > a week until after I get more feedback. I think this forum is the best
> > place to get honest opinions from serious cycling enthusiasts. I've been
> > leaning toward getting a fluid trainer...almost bought one today from Ebay.
> > They have a "Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Trainer" for $274, a "Cycleops
> > Fluid 2 Trainer" for $218, a "Blackburn Trakstand Fluid Cycle Indoor
> > Trainer" for $269, and an "Elite Fluid Alu Indoor Trainer" for $154. I
> > don't know which is the best. Anybody own one of the these? I'll check out
> > the rollers, but my initial thought is I'll come off it and slam into
> > something.
>
> If you come off rollers you don't slam into anything except the floor;
> you have no momentum except the wheels and they are so light they
> won't push you anywhere. You do go down though.

If you do it in a doorway, or a narrow hall your crash possibilities
are much more limited. Or out on the lawn!

>
> I use a Cycle Ops magneto in the winter and like it. Make sure you
> have the right stuff to listen to, either training audio or tunes.

I like race DVD's. Like stage 17!

Joseph




 
Date: 25 Sep 2007 14:40:10
From: landotter
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
On Sep 23, 9:18 pm, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com > wrote:
> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor cycing.
> Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer?

If you have the room, a dedicated bike can be really nice--but
expensive. I often see very nice used ones on my local craigslist.




 
Date: 25 Sep 2007 07:10:06
From: Ted
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
On Sep 24, 7:24 pm, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com > wrote:
> "Frank Drackman" <frankdr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:4bydnWJfjvaZb2rbnZ2dnUVZ_qGknZ2d@comcast.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >news:46f71e77$0$19578$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> >> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
> >> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor
> >> cycing. Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm
> >> primarily interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride
> >> my bike (Trek 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What
> >> brand/model is a quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are
> >> appreciated. I've only been riding for a month. Today I completed 25
> >> miles. It's my longest ride so far.
>
> > I have a stationary bike and a fluid trainer. The stationary bike is much
> > more solid. I can switch positions, get out of the saddle, more of a
> > similar experience to riding outside. The downside is that it is bulky
> > and you really need a dedicated space for it.
>
> > I bet that you will get the roller people responding to your question and
> > explain why they are the best option.
>
> Well, I'm interested in anything that works smoothly and that will not send
> me through the garage door. Lol. I'm going to hold off buying anything for
> a week until after I get more feedback. I think this forum is the best
> place to get honest opinions from serious cycling enthusiasts. I've been
> leaning toward getting a fluid trainer...almost bought one today from Ebay.
> They have a "Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Trainer" for $274, a "Cycleops
> Fluid 2 Trainer" for $218, a "Blackburn Trakstand Fluid Cycle Indoor
> Trainer" for $269, and an "Elite Fluid Alu Indoor Trainer" for $154. I
> don't know which is the best. Anybody own one of the these? I'll check out
> the rollers, but my initial thought is I'll come off it and slam into
> something.

If you come off rollers you don't slam into anything except the floor;
you have no momentum except the wheels and they are so light they
won't push you anywhere. You do go down though.

I use a Cycle Ops magneto in the winter and like it. Make sure you
have the right stuff to listen to, either training audio or tunes.

Ted



 
Date: 24 Sep 2007 10:21:27
From: Frank Drackman
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike

"Hud" <hud_ohio@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:46f71e77$0$19578$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor
> cycing. Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm
> primarily interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride
> my bike (Trek 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What
> brand/model is a quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are
> appreciated. I've only been riding for a month. Today I completed 25
> miles. It's my longest ride so far.

I have a stationary bike and a fluid trainer. The stationary bike is much
more solid. I can switch positions, get out of the saddle, more of a
similar experience to riding outside. The downside is that it is bulky and
you really need a dedicated space for it.

I bet that you will get the roller people responding to your question and
explain why they are the best option.




  
Date: 24 Sep 2007 19:24:12
From: Hud
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike

"Frank Drackman" <frankdrack@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:4bydnWJfjvaZb2rbnZ2dnUVZ_qGknZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Hud" <hud_ohio@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:46f71e77$0$19578$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
>> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor
>> cycing. Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm
>> primarily interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride
>> my bike (Trek 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What
>> brand/model is a quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are
>> appreciated. I've only been riding for a month. Today I completed 25
>> miles. It's my longest ride so far.
>
> I have a stationary bike and a fluid trainer. The stationary bike is much
> more solid. I can switch positions, get out of the saddle, more of a
> similar experience to riding outside. The downside is that it is bulky
> and you really need a dedicated space for it.
>
> I bet that you will get the roller people responding to your question and
> explain why they are the best option.
>

Well, I'm interested in anything that works smoothly and that will not send
me through the garage door. Lol. I'm going to hold off buying anything for
a week until after I get more feedback. I think this forum is the best
place to get honest opinions from serious cycling enthusiasts. I've been
leaning toward getting a fluid trainer...almost bought one today from Ebay.
They have a "Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Trainer" for $274, a "Cycleops
Fluid 2 Trainer" for $218, a "Blackburn Trakstand Fluid Cycle Indoor
Trainer" for $269, and an "Elite Fluid Alu Indoor Trainer" for $154. I
don't know which is the best. Anybody own one of the these? I'll check out
the rollers, but my initial thought is I'll come off it and slam into
something.



 
Date: 24 Sep 2007 09:03:29
From: joseph.santaniello@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
On Sep 24, 4:38 pm, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com > wrote:
> <joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1190620772.248537.27840@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Sep 24, 4:18 am, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
> >> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor
> >> cycing.
> >> Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm primarily
> >> interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride my bike
> >> (Trek
> >> 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What brand/model is
> >> a
> >> quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. I've only
> >> been
> >> riding for a month. Today I completed 25 miles. It's my longest ride so
> >> far.
>
> > A trainer to attach your bike to is much cheaper. To get a stationary
> > bike that works well will cost much more and may present a storage
> > problem. As far as what is a quality trainer, you more or less get
> > what you pay for. Let your wallet decide.
>
> > You can also ride outside in the winter too. If it gets too snowy to
> > ride, grab some ice skates or XC skis to keep in shape. HAve fun!
>
> > Joseph
>
> I did some research on trainers and know fluid trainers are top-of-the-line.
> Magnetic and wind resistance come in 2nd and 3rd. So a fluid resistance
> trainer seems the best way to go. One potential problem is they may leak.
> Can anyone recommend a fluid trainer they've had good luck with?

The difference between mag, air, or fluid is mostly how realistic they
feel. You can get a work-out with any of them, so suppose it's a
personal preference type decision. I'd go for something with as heavy
a flywheel as possible, as that feels most realistic to me, and
doesn't just stop the second you stop pedaling.

Or as others have suggested, try rollers! Way more fun.

Joseph



 
Date: 24 Sep 2007 00:59:32
From: joseph.santaniello@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
On Sep 24, 4:18 am, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com > wrote:
> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor cycing.
> Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm primarily
> interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride my bike (Trek
> 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What brand/model is a
> quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. I've only been
> riding for a month. Today I completed 25 miles. It's my longest ride so
> far.

A trainer to attach your bike to is much cheaper. To get a stationary
bike that works well will cost much more and may present a storage
problem. As far as what is a quality trainer, you more or less get
what you pay for. Let your wallet decide.


You can also ride outside in the winter too. If it gets too snowy to
ride, grab some ice skates or XC skis to keep in shape. HAve fun!

Joseph



  
Date: 24 Sep 2007 10:38:45
From: Hud
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike

<joseph.santaniello@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1190620772.248537.27840@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 24, 4:18 am, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
>> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor
>> cycing.
>> Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm primarily
>> interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride my bike
>> (Trek
>> 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What brand/model is
>> a
>> quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. I've only
>> been
>> riding for a month. Today I completed 25 miles. It's my longest ride so
>> far.
>
> A trainer to attach your bike to is much cheaper. To get a stationary
> bike that works well will cost much more and may present a storage
> problem. As far as what is a quality trainer, you more or less get
> what you pay for. Let your wallet decide.
>
>
> You can also ride outside in the winter too. If it gets too snowy to
> ride, grab some ice skates or XC skis to keep in shape. HAve fun!
>
> Joseph
>


I did some research on trainers and know fluid trainers are top-of-the-line.
Magnetic and wind resistance come in 2nd and 3rd. So a fluid resistance
trainer seems the best way to go. One potential problem is they may leak.
Can anyone recommend a fluid trainer they've had good luck with?



   
Date: 24 Sep 2007 10:28:35
From: oldhickory
Subject: Re: Trainer or Stationary Bike
If you want to get exercise, improve your handling skills 1000% and not get
unbelievable bored in the process, check out rollers. They're a little
challenging at first--everyone has trouble--just like anyone learning to
drive a standard transmission car--but they're a lot more fun than a
trainer!

My two cents...

have fun!

--
ie
ride fast, take chances.


"Hud" <hud_ohio@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:46f7cc0b$0$26362$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> <joseph.santaniello@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1190620772.248537.27840@r29g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>> On Sep 24, 4:18 am, "Hud" <hud_o...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> I'm anticipating winter and am thinking about how I can continue to ride
>>> through the snowy months to continue fitness. I'd like to do indoor
>>> cycing.
>>> Would I be better off with a stationary bike or a trainer? I'm
>>> primarily
>>> interested in trainers because with one I can continue to ride my bike
>>> (Trek
>>> 7200 Multitrack). Do they have variable resistance? What brand/model
>>> is a
>>> quality one? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. I've only
>>> been
>>> riding for a month. Today I completed 25 miles. It's my longest ride
>>> so
>>> far.
>>
>> A trainer to attach your bike to is much cheaper. To get a stationary
>> bike that works well will cost much more and may present a storage
>> problem. As far as what is a quality trainer, you more or less get
>> what you pay for. Let your wallet decide.
>>
>>
>> You can also ride outside in the winter too. If it gets too snowy to
>> ride, grab some ice skates or XC skis to keep in shape. HAve fun!
>>
>> Joseph
>>
>
>
> I did some research on trainers and know fluid trainers are
> top-of-the-line. Magnetic and wind resistance come in 2nd and 3rd. So a
> fluid resistance trainer seems the best way to go. One potential problem
> is they may leak. Can anyone recommend a fluid trainer they've had good
> luck with?