November 9, 2000


What's a good bicycle trainer?

What is a good bicycle trainer? My 115-year-old old trainer is on its last legs and I'm overwhelmed with options: trainer versus rollers; magnetic, hydro, or wind trainers.

— Winfield Ong

Ah, yes -— winter is here, and it's time to again drag out that instrument of torture, the bicycle trainer. I belong to a club that rides two nights a week, year-around, in almost any weather. But that still means I'll be putting in plenty of hours on a trainer. Ugh.

I have a "fluid resistance" type -— the hydro model you mention. I like it find; its chief advantage over wind trainers, which it shares with magnetic-resistance units, is that it doesn't make much noise. Wind trainers can get LOUD. On the other hand, wind trainers offer more resistance the faster you spin the pedals, so in that regard feel more like "real" riding. But I prefer quieter models, so I can listen to NPR for some distractions while working out. I haven't used magnetic-style trainers, so can't offer an opinion on how they compare.

Performance sells a nice fluid-resistance trainer called the Peak Load 3, which goes for about $250. It has a front fork, so it takes up a fair amount of space, but also is very stable. In a "compact" unit, Blackburn's Defender Mag Trackstand ($190) has five adjustable resistance levels.

Rollers have the advantage of feeling more like an actual ride, as they force you to watch your balance and actually ride the bike rather than just sit and spin. People who use rollers swear by them, saying they improve balance and form. OK, but when I'm on a trainer, I really don't want to concentrate that hard. I'm watching a heart monitor, hitting targets, and listening to All Things Considered or something. So I'm a trainer kind of guy, as there's no danger of tipping over or doing something silly if I'm not paying attention.

I'd suggest you think about your goals for winter training, how much time you'll spend on the trainer, and whether you really concentrate on the bike during indoor training, or want to read, watch TV, or listen to the radio.