Trainer or Rollers? - LATC Member Feedback

1) You need to decide what your training goals are at the moment. The roller needs more room to operate (in case you come off the bike)but trains your riding skills better than a stationary. They do make attachments for the roller system to convert it to a stationary as well as a resistance unit for the rear roller. The stationary is great for a mindless training session, all you need to do is maintain your goal heart rate depending what phase of trainig you are in. The fluid stationary trainer is recommended over the mag but the mag will do a nice job if funds are an issue. Hope this helps, good luck.

Dan Lehnberg, DC, CSCS, CCSP, QME WestSide HealthCare SPORTS MEDICINE tel 310.944.9763 fax 310.944.9764

2) David: I have been using a "roller type" indoor trainer-really on my back porch-for about a year. Its made by Cycle Ops that I purchased at Helens' MDR for about $225. I ride it about once a week with my Polar heart rate monitor and watch functioning so I can increase and decrease my HR as I follow a training plan. I have the 610 Polar with a cadence counter attached so I can keep my cadence between 85-95 rpm while using the shifter to change the sprockets to increase or decrease my HR. I works good for me.

-Tom Grant

3) I believe the fluid is the way to go. I ended up buying the CycleOPs Fluid 2 trainer. It is used by US Postal so I thought it must be decent. I bought mine from www.yellowjersey.com. The best price by far. They got it to me very quickly. It sets up very easily. You should order the riser with it for another $15.

I haven't trained much with this trainer yet because I'm doing spinning classes during the week and one long ride on my bike. I think even if you don't train a lot with a trainer they are a nice thing to have around to put the bike on to tweek your bike fit etc.

Good Luck, Steve Chaisson

4) I have an AireonMAG (bluecolor) trainer that I have ridden on 2-3 times. I still have the box for it. In fact the MAG is In the box. It has a 3-speed adjuster. I'm selling it because I'm not a big fan of riding indoors. And, The gym I joined has really good spin Classes. If your interested I'll sell it for 30.00. I'm here in Brentwood If you want to come by and look at it.

Travis Burrell

5) A good trainer is one that you will use.

Having said that, the Computrainer is haeds and shoulders above anything I've found.

Computrainer.com

I ride against a co-worker at least once a week, talk trash and generally have a great time.

Cost-$$$$ over $1,000. We've been using them over 4 years - and NO traffic accidents.

Train On! John White -805 844 4665

6) You've asked a classic question, here's my answer....

Fluid trainer - great, quiet, expensive, look to ebay Mag trainer - great, quiet, a hair expensive, again - look to ebay.

Rollers - super good for balance (read - hard to ride), but not as good in terms of resistance (it's only got one speed). I would only advise this for an advanced rider or a roadie who was looking to gain better control for crits. They are not so necessary for triathlon.

Hope that helps, Ian

Ian Murray ACMEcoaching.com 1411 Palisades Dr. Pacific Palisades, CA. 90272 hm/off 310-573-9060 fax 310-573-9827 Cell 310-924-7362

7) I ride both (admittedly, very little given SoCal weather), but they each serve different purposes. The trainer is best for getting a workout- resistance is adjustable. Rollers are really a good training tool to develop smoothness. Some may have adjustable fan units, but the objective on rollers really is not to "grind", it's to develop leg speed and balance.

As an FYI, all trainers (but particularly resistance trainers) wear out tires prematurely, so I usually slap on spare wheels with older tires to save tread life on my newer/better tires.

I'm in the Inglewood area, so let me know if you'd like to either or both before a purchase.

-Kevin Powells