Trainer ?s

[Gumbo]

So I am going to ask for a trainer from Santa and am looking at the Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer. Anyone have any thoughts on this choice - good, bad, alternatives you like? Also are the accessories worth it? It seems like it would not be too hard to use blocks of wood or something as a riser, the mat could probably be an old carpet piece, etc. Any feedback is appreciated since I have never used one. I have a set of Weyless rollers from the 70's but need a new belt to make them work again. Even if I got that the rollers have no adjustment to increase resistance.

[pierso]

I am no trainer expert - more of a trainer hater, but I will add this: definitely get a fluid. I have a Cycleops, but the one you're looking seems good too.

As for the accessories - the block is nice but definitely not a necessity. Use a yoga mat or whatever you have for a mat underneath. And an old towel works just fine for the sweat you'll inevitably be soaked in riding indoors.

The real key is setting up a solid TV/Movie viewing station with a fan, etc. I believe Russ is the expert in this field.

[Gumbo]

Thanks Matt - I agree that the tv setup is key. I also may use it for warming up prior to races, although this may be a little too "pro" for me.

[swawersik]

I have a Kinetic and have logged more time on it than I care to count. Best trainer I've ever used.

They used to sell a little computer unit with it that sensed your wheel speed and did an automatic calculation to give you a power estimation. Don't waste your money, it's cheap and inaccurate (though I did once hit "1700 W" on it, which was an ego booster).

Other accessories you'll want (some already covered by others):
1. TV & DVD player or a computer with streaming video - A trainer does no good if you can't ride it for more than 10 minutes without succumbing to boredom.
2. DVD sets of whatever TV series floats your boat. I've developed a decent collection at this point. I've talked to various people about sharing these amongst teammates, but we've never gotten our s**t together to do it.
3. Buy a Bike Thong or similar sweat catcher. Sweat will rot out your headset, so cover it. $25 for this little terry cloth thing is a bargain compared to the cost of a new headset and the aggravation of having pull it out in little rusty pieces.
4. You can use a block of wood for a front wheel riser, but a storebought one will be nicer, and will help you avoid the scary feeling of having your front wheel slide off the side of the riser.

[Bruce]

The Kurt trainer is the most realistic road feel on the market. Get a front wheel holder/riser.

If you don't plan to take the trainer for warmup at races, you might also consider a Tacx trainer. Check them out on the net. If you want to try one...eg ride Mt Ventoux or some such on the large screen...they have one set up at ATA Cycle in Concord. Call Peter Sullivan.

[carlshimer]

I needed a new trainer and upgraded to the Kurt Kinetic "rock and roll" trainer. Basically, it allows side to side motion to simulate climbing and/or standing. I got mine from Amazon for $399 (which was only marginally more expensive than the price on the Kurt road machine trainer). Unfortunately, the price on the rock and roll is now back up to $499. The rock and roll is larger than your traditional trainer and won't fit in smaller spaces.

Kurt seems to make a very solid product. I still need to do a bit of tweaking to adjust the tension on the left / right sway of the trainer. I also probably should get a trainer tire (or least a crappy road tire). This time of year I am apt to move the bike between the trainer and road so I keep a decent tire on the bike.

I don't have the bike thong but I need one. The headset corrosion can be avoided by putting a towel over your bars (or at least that's my hope). However, the sweat can roll down the top tube and corrode the brake cables.

[rusto]

I've been using a Kurt Kinetic for the last year or so (bought it from MRC member Abel Tomkinson at REI/Fenway) and like it very much. Here's my "cockpit" (click for larger view):

[Gumbo]

Thanks all for the good feedback, much appreciated!

[JOrkinMan]

Another vote for the Kinetic. I agree on every performance point and want to add their customer service on top of it.

My trainer wasn't working properly this year, so I put in a warranty claim, and within THREE minutes I had a reply: "we'll send you a new resistance unit". It came a few days later and my trainer is working as good as new.

Great product, better company. I'm a customer for life.

[carlshimer]

Following up on a previous point - what do people use for training tires?

[Bruce]

Any old tire will do; its nice to have a spare rear wheel so you can pop it on and off. Someone makes a dedicated tire for use on trainers..maybe Schwalbe..its orange.

[Bruce]

I would say that Rock n Roll product looks like a good bet; it looks to be very sturdy and extra stable. There are companies that make trainers where you can lock down the front wheel, adding stability, e.g. Tacx and maybe Kreitler.

[taudep]

I don't personally have a Rock n Roll (I have Cyleops Fluid), but I've heard good things about it. 1) it forces you to ride smooth and 2) my butt hurts on a trainer whenever I'm doing intensity, like hard intervals. Allegedly, the Rock N Roll is more comfortable because of the back-end movement. However, probably not so convenient to take to races for a warmup, though...