My only advice would be, spend a good amount of money and get a fluid one.
By good amount I mean 120ish, maybe u to 140 if you can.
The reason is, mag trainers - what you get for sub 120 are great, but they are noisy as hell and they don't really offer progressive resistance, and so i find they really aren't that much like the road!
Also its worth making a good investment on this, because you will probably use it a lot over the winter in this country, and it should last you a long time with good care.
Your family members will appreciate it if you get a quieter one, trust me!
I used to have a Minoura Mag trainer and it did sound like a Jumbo Jet! It lasted around 5 years before really it died, had to replace flywheel and eventually the remote changer broke so it was stuck in 'bloody tough'.
I have recently bought a Kinetic Rock and Roll Trainer (Fluid) and found this to be far far better than others I have tried/used, I am using the trainer 3 times a week (up to 3 hours at a time) as its winter here! and this is something I would not have done on the old trainer. The unit is quite 'industrial' but this does mean that I can get out of the seat without fear of it tipping over, the noise level is not too bad although I am going to change rear tyre for a trainer tyre to hopefully reduce the noise a little bit more, I can still hear the Spinervals DVDs on my laptop so it cannot be too noisy.
The 2 links below show the trainer in action, it is weird the first time you get on but then it feels great - I could not say that about my old trainer
Already have the 'sweat catcher' but when I do a 3 hour session I feel a bit like Noah as there is not a towel that can cope.
I think my wife would find something else to give me grief about if this was resolved! No she is a wonderful person and is a great support crew when it comes to IM etc ( I would call her my bike bitch, but that is just asking for trouble). As long as I sluice the floor down (we have tiles) I am fairly safe!
Just to add to this, i am also looking at getting a turbo trainer. Do any of them for a decent price incorparate a power meter? I've had a quick look around but not seen anything yet.
I have yet to get this passed by the finance director as my Tri budget is apparently already far in excess of what it should be (NOT my opinion), I think the entry to IMUK plus flights etc was the last purchase for a while! It did not help I did this a week after entering IMNZ for next year!
I am not sure what the problem is, I mean what is a holiday if it does not have an IM during it? and if your there you may as well do it!
Works really well and is quiet, You can get the standard kit Mat/Riser/Seat guard for it quite easily as well.
It is quiet and portable so I can take it outside and use it on the terrace if I want to. There was a free TT Training DVD that came with it which I like.
Comments
By good amount I mean 120ish, maybe u to 140 if you can.
The reason is, mag trainers - what you get for sub 120 are great, but they are noisy as hell and they don't really offer progressive resistance, and so i find they really aren't that much like the road!
Also its worth making a good investment on this, because you will probably use it a lot over the winter in this country, and it should last you a long time with good care.
Your family members will appreciate it if you get a quieter one, trust me!
I have recently bought a Kinetic Rock and Roll Trainer (Fluid) and found this to be far far better than others I have tried/used, I am using the trainer 3 times a week (up to 3 hours at a time) as its winter here! and this is something I would not have done on the old trainer. The unit is quite 'industrial' but this does mean that I can get out of the seat without fear of it tipping over, the noise level is not too bad although I am going to change rear tyre for a trainer tyre to hopefully reduce the noise a little bit more, I can still hear the Spinervals DVDs on my laptop so it cannot be too noisy.
The 2 links below show the trainer in action, it is weird the first time you get on but then it feels great - I could not say that about my old trainer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHPpqHlv2NU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6spExLfn4vY
If I could stop the 'flood' that occurs when using the trainer then I would not get soo much grief from my wife about the mess!
FW
How much do you hate that guy in the video, "perfect cycling form" HE'S WEARING SANDLES........git.
I stretch a towel between handlebars and under the nose of the saddle to catch my sweat, maybe that will keep your wife from giving you grief.
it also stops all the shredding of your normal tyres!
I think my wife would find something else to give me grief about if this was resolved! No she is a wonderful person and is a great support crew when it comes to IM etc ( I would call her my bike bitch, but that is just asking for trouble). As long as I sluice the floor down (we have tiles) I am fairly safe!
FW
David.
http://www.cycling-inform.com/store/products/Kinetic-Power-Computer.html
I have yet to get this passed by the finance director as my Tri budget is apparently already far in excess of what it should be (NOT my opinion), I think the entry to IMUK plus flights etc was the last purchase for a while! It did not help I did this a week after entering IMNZ for next year!
I am not sure what the problem is, I mean what is a holiday if it does not have an IM during it? and if your there you may as well do it!
FW
Works really well and is quiet, You can get the standard kit Mat/Riser/Seat guard for it quite easily as well.
It is quiet and portable so I can take it outside and use it on the terrace if I want to. There was a free TT Training DVD that came with it which I like.
I have an Elite Mag, and yes it is good, but as stated earlier quite noisey. So if you can afford it go for fluid