Selecting a Stationary Trainer
Selecting a Stationary Trainer
Stationary trainers are the most important accessory purchase that a cyclist can make. Trainers allow you to workout any day of the year, in the comfort of your own home. Their wide range of resistance can give you a better workout than going for a spin outside. It's simply a more efficient use of your time.
Finding the right trainer is a matter of evaluating the features and price range that best meets your needs. Trainers can cost anywhere from a hundred dollars, to thousands. But you certainly don't need to spend a lot to get a really good one.
There's a few different types of trainers such as "rollers", where you have to stay balanced and ride the bike as if you're outdoors on the road. However, the most popular type is a "stationary" trainer. It's called stationary because the bike is mounted on a frame and remains stationary while you ride.
Stationary trainers are available in two primary types - Magnetic and Fluid. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Magnetic trainers work on the principal of opposing magnetic fields providing resistance while you pedal. Advantages of this technology are that the magnets never wear out (or break) and it's the least expensive type to build. The disadvantage of magnetic trainers is that they don't "feel" very natural when you pedal. It's as if you're going uphill all the time and as soon as you back off of the pedals slightly, the trainer begins to stop suddenly. That's because magnets don't have any inertia. When you slow down, the magnets simply "grab" each other and stop. If you've ever used a stationary bike in at the gym, it was most likely a magnetic one.
Fluid trainers will have a sealed compartment filled with a thick fluid. When you begin pedaling, an impeller (or blade) will begin spinning inside of the fluid chamber. Because the fluid is thick, it will give you the sensation of gradually pedaling faster and faster. As you begin to slow down, the impeller has built up inertia, and it will gradually begin to slow down. It's this inertia that gives fluid trainers a more natural feel. The disadvantages to fluid trainers, are that the fluid can leak and they cost a little more.
One of the newest types of trainers is called "inertial" which doesn't use any fluid, yet it has the feel of a fluid trainer. This is accomplished by having a sealed flywheel that has the characteristics of a fluid mechanism, yet doesn't contain any fluid. It's a very nice solution worth checking out.
Finally, there's computerized trainers that connect to a PC and track your ride. You can play a DVD of an actual route, and the trainer will automatically change its resistance to match scenery and terrian. If I had one of these I'd probable never go outside.
Here's a price range for basic trainers -
- Magnetic Trainers - $100 - $300
- Fluid Trainers - $150 - $350
- Inertial Trainers - $200 - $400
- Computerized Trainers - $500 - $2,000
Each of these types of trainers will offer optional features such as a cable resistance adjustments, wireless computers or heart rate monitors. These can be handy features for maximizing your training time, so be sure to evaluate these add-ons as well.
There are a few different designs for mounting bikes on trainers. The most common is a fixed mount. Here you'll place your bike on the trainer, then turn a thumbscrew to tighten the resistance flywheel against your rear tire. This method had been used on thousands of trainers and works fine. The only drawback is that you're never quite sure if you've tightened it enough, so that your rear tire doesn't slip; or you've tightened it too much, and you're squishing your tire unnecessarily.
A newer design uses gravity, instead of turning a thumbscrew. The flywheel is located on the bottom of the trainer, and your tire sits on top of it. That way your actual body weight determines the pressure while you ride, not a manual flywheel adjustment. These frames used what's called a hinged mount, and it's a nice improvement over the fixed mount design.
When evaluating trainers, it's important that you look at the flywheel mechanism that spins as you ride. Some models have an exposed weight or blade that spins near the rear wheel of your bike. This can be very dangerous around pets and children, so it's best to find a model that has these components sealed inside of a housing. I find it surprising that lots of models are built this way, with not enough regard for safety.
You'll need to purchase a rubber floor mat for the amazing amount of perspiration that you'll generate while you're on the trainer. Plus, a plastic riser block to put under the front wheel of your bike, making it level with the ground.
Before purchasing any trainer, you'll want to see it in person and make sure that it's quiet and well built. And regardless of which brand or model you choose, simply using any trainer will yield big dividends in your cycling.