i assume the summer months could result in some good trainers on sale/ for sale used and cheap?
what should i look for? cheaper is better, and ability to store away is even better.
opinions/suggestions?
I became a big fan of rollers over this winter (well, I used them maybe a dozen times). You can't do the sort of workouts you can on a trainer, since you can't really get out of the saddle (I couldn't, at least), but it's still possible to get a good workout and improve your handling skillz.
Do you live alone? What's your neighbor situation? Windfan trainers are great and very cheap. They are pretty noisy though, so it's something to keep in mind.
Magnetic trainers are quieter and offer a good feel.
Fluid models are the most expensive and typically, IMO, have the worst feel to them. It's like pedaling in mud and it's not much fun.
Virtually all of them fold down into a smaller but still awkward shape.
i'll be married in august so i should probably get a magnetic one to cut down on noise.
i was considering rollers, and then modifying them to include a few bump stops etc so that you CAN get out of the saddle. something like this- http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=196027&highlight=home+made+rollers
Woah. That's a tempting project. I like rollers, but would like them a whole lot more if I could stand up easier to prevent my butt from going numb.
No matter the relative quietness of the given trainer/roller setup, they're all pretty loud. "Quiet" is used pretty loosely when used to describe indoor trainers of any kind.
I rode on rollers over the winter. I like them, but I would like to get a trainer also. I have been seeing trainers a lot on CL recently.
bike swaps have these usually, you may have to drive across the state to get to the swap tho.
picked up a craigslist special cycleops Mag trainer and the front wheel riser today for 50 bucks. had to try it out just for a half hour tonight, it'll help a lot training, particularly teaching me to spin properly rather than pedal mash.
Actually, trainers tend to teach you to mash while rollers teach you to spin.
2 possible alternatives then- what if i hooked it up but left the resistance unit off so the rear wheel just spun?
or
what if i hooked it up to my fixed gear bike?
wouldnt one of those two scenarios teach me to spin more easily?
Why would you want to learn to spin?
(hint, don't ride them with the roller disconnected)
from what i've read, spinning is the best way to bike in the triathlon, whereas mashing will tire your legs out more for the run.
I agree that turning a low cadence can be harder on your legs. However, spinning with little to no resistance is not the way to learn to spin. In much the same way no one learns to throw a baseball by going thru all the motions but with no ball in your hand.
I not a racer or anything, but I feel like I pedal much better after riding rollers.
sounds good. i plan on focusing on building up my mileage, once i can get comfortable banging out ~40 miles or so i'll worry about the details, but right now i guess i should focus on plain seat time.
