Bike trainer recommendations
- Thread starter Cyientist
- Start date
First you need to decide if you want a smart trainer or not. If not get a fluid trainer from anywhere from low end $99 up to $250.
I sell Minoura trainers which are an excellent option but they are many great brands. We are in the process of redoing the website but take a look. Feel free to pm me for any questions. https://shopminoura.com/
I sell Minoura trainers which are an excellent option but they are many great brands. We are in the process of redoing the website but take a look. Feel free to pm me for any questions. https://shopminoura.com/
Kinetic builds the best fluid and Bluetooth trainer on the market for $299. I use ours 3x/week and switch bikes between my wife and me regularly.
www.kurtkinetic.com
Kinetic — Kinetic RS Power Bike Trainer with Cassette - Bike Trainer
The Kinetic RS Power Bike Trainer is the perfect direct-drive bike trainer for beginning cyclists or anyone who needs a very quiet trainer. Cost-effective, with all the app-connected features you need, the Kinetic RS is a lot of bang for your buck. Compatible with the best training apps: Onelap ,
www.kurtkinetic.com
They're pretty noisy, not really that hard on your road bike. Recommend using a trainer tire, which for me meant using a rear wheel I had replaced and putting a trainer tire on. That way you can just swap the tire if you plan on riding as well.
I've had an older (non-bluetooth) Road Machine for ~5 years and am happy with it. Have a good friend who's put TON of miles on one without issue, also.
I usually buy a few months of Zwift during the winter, and use my trainer with an USB ANT+ dongle to collect speed/cadence (no direct power meter, but it figures power based on wheel speed and power curve of the trainer you select). I find Zwift a bunch less boring than just riding indoors for the sake of riding, personally.
Mine is similar age without Bluetooth. I recently added the Kinetic Bluetooth component for $50 to modernize it. Makes it even more fun.
I have Zwift but have yet to use it. A few friends used it over the weekend according to Strava.
I've got my fiance set up on my old Fluid 2 trainer. All in, I'm guessing around $350 for sensors and new trainer to get her set up on Zwift. I personally use a Wahoo Kick'r Core smart trainer and I love it. I actually really enjoy my trainer sessions in the winter. Either grinding out some base work while watching a movie or get competitive and do some racing. I think they Core runs about $900 but it is VERY quite. I can barely hear the trainer over the sound of my fan.
The BIGGEST piece for me was Zwift. Gamifying a training session really works on my personality type. I may actually work harder on that then I do in real life (aside from actual races).
The BIGGEST piece for me was Zwift. Gamifying a training session really works on my personality type. I may actually work harder on that then I do in real life (aside from actual races).
What is your budget? I love mine. Do you expect to leave your rear wheel on or take it off and use direct drive?
If on a budget I would recommend the Kickr Snap for a smart trainer.
If you want a non-smart fluid trainer I'm selling one for $75 in CR area. Used one winter and is like new.
Go to Kyle's Bikes. Kyle is far and away one of the straightest shooters in the business.
This guy review a lot of the popular trainers.
www.dcrainmaker.com
His reviews are very detailed (TLDR..) but worth it if you have the time.
He does a good job of explaining the difference in price points and if something is worth the upgrade.
I think I've decided to go with the Kickr Core.
Now I just have to figure out where to buy it..
The Smart Trainer Recommendations Guide: Winter 2020-2021
For nearly a decade my trainer recommendations guide has been a staple of this time of year, consolidating all the latest trainers into the do and don’t buy list to consider before spending some hard-earned cash to then suffer inside.
www.dcrainmaker.com
His reviews are very detailed (TLDR..) but worth it if you have the time.
He does a good job of explaining the difference in price points and if something is worth the upgrade.
I think I've decided to go with the Kickr Core.
Now I just have to figure out where to buy it..