# I'm looking for a bike trainer - either of these any good? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 5, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-bike-trainer-either-of-these-any-good/545588 "2010-07-05T04:30:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-bike-trainer-either-of-these-any-good/545588/1 "2010-07-05T04:30:09Z")
Cell bikes and Torpedo 7 both have specials on adjustable mag bike trainers right now. I’m looking for something to ride on (maybe an hour at most a few times a week) when the weather or the baby keeps me inside, just enough to keep my fitness up on the bike over winter. I’ve not ridden for a few months (oooh…the baby’s now 8 months, perhaps it’s been a while…) but at normal fitness used to ride 50-100km on the weekends and commute 3-4 times a week. So nothing fancy, but want something that will be reasonably quiet and not make me wish I’d spent a little more for comfort and ease of use. Will either of these fit the bill? [Cell Bikes - Elite Moro D’Elite Mag Lite](http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Best-Elite-Bike-Trainer-for-the-Money-Elite-Moro-D-Elite-for-Road-Bikes-and-Mountain-Bikes) [Torpedo 7 - Tranzx JD118](http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/TZTRWP8EL) ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-bike-trainer-either-of-these-any-good/545588/2 "2010-07-05T08:01:20Z")
You should look at Kurt Kinetic trainers. Their high-end units have fluid resistance units which emulate outside riding resistance very closely. Plus, the “Pro” units have 18lb. flywheels which add to the “outside” feel with long wind up/down times. Very, very nice units, and built like tanks. They are pricey but you get what you pay for. I own the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Pro”. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-bike-trainer-either-of-these-any-good/545588/3 "2010-07-05T13:02:50Z")
There are a couple different designs of trainers. Those you linked fully support the bike and relies on a spring to push the roller against the tyre. Others like [this](http://www.cellbikes.com.au/p_907_ELITE __Mag_Alu_Indoor_Bike_Trainers__ Online_Exclusive_Price_2) use your weight to press the wheel to the roller. I’ve had both types and like the latter design. [This Minoura](http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Minoura_VFS-GR_Fluid_Turbo_Trainer_with_Remote/5360025779/) is what I use now. Well, not actually “now” as the UK is having the best summer in a very long time. If you’re not going to be switching from inside to outside very often then I suggest getting a trainer-specific tyre too. ---
**Author:** ![silk1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@silk1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silk1976)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-bike-trainer-either-of-these-any-good/545588/4 "2010-07-06T20:52:50Z")
I have a set of Krietler Rollers that I got last year off E-Bay. They’re pretty good because you have to maintain balance on them so you dont fall off - very different from your typical trainer. Course, I didn’t use them much this past winter because I was recovering from an IT band issue. The only downside is the fan attachment, which is nice because it increases resistance a substantial amount AND provides a breeze, is somewhat noisy. But you dont have to use that peripheral.