(Part 2) Best bike trainers & accessories according to redditors

http://www.amazon.com/Kinetic-Kurt-Rear-Skewer-Trainer/dp/B001GSSDAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422210489&sr=8-1&keywords=trainer+skewer

That perception of indoor trainers is really outdated....Bike trainers have come a long way in the last several years and they've solved all the problems you describe.

Smart trainers and dumb trainers above $100 are going to be near silent. Now the majority of the noise comes from your bike's drivetrain, not the trainer, that's how quiet they are. They also use larger drums/flywheels which improves the road-like feel dramatically. And a $10 sweat net protects your frame from the corrosion you describe.

1: I bought one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Tacx-T2675-Blue-Twist-Trainer/dp/B009ZMZXXS/
2: I put it in front of my Computer (I don't have a TV)
3: everytime I want to watch a movie I have to hit the pedals.

> NBPower Torque arm-Universal for E-Bike Electric Bicycle -Front or Rear,M14 for E-Bike Conversion Kit,Electric Bike kit Torque arm for BLDC hub Motor

This one?

These things are fairly standardized, but you got duped (and you're not the only one - this happens constantly).

That's a bad Chinese knockoff of a torque arm originally designed by GrinTech - the TorqArm_V1 - which was discontinued in 2010 due to its faulty design (not related to its axle fit - you just got a really poorly manufactured knockoff).

You can read more about the issues with that design, and why the original was discontinued, here.

GrinTech's V2 and V3 torque arms are excellent choices for a front hub motor. A bit pricier than the knockoffs, but unlike the knockoffs, they'll actually do the job they're intended for. I've personally used their V4 rear torque arm to keep an 1800w hub motor in check, so I can attest to their quality.

During the winter, I use this trainer with my bike: http://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Mag-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000BT577G

It works well enough. I've never tried riding while working, but I have played a fair amount of video games during the winter while on the trainer, so it is multi-tasking friendly.

The pedals on spinning bikes are fixed to the drive train,s o if you stop peddaling, the pedals still push your legs due to the weight of the flywheel. The flywheel is also heavier on a spinning bike.

It is like riding a fixed gear v. multi gear bicycle.

If you are training for a triathalon though, you may want to try something like this once you get your bike. A buddy of mine does long distance biking and triathalons and like this better since he can stay on his actual bike and practice indoors. (not having to adjust form, or adjust to the size of other bikes, etc)

I bought this one and it has served me well, however if you plan on utilizing it more often then not my research said to spend the coin on fluid based trainer as the magnetic ones are very noisy and have less "road-like" feel than the fluid ones. But any trainer is better than no trainer!

Got it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/NBPower-Bluetooth-Electric-Conversion-Controller/dp/B07KNP86QB/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=8000w+hub+motor&qid=1565317133&s=gateway&sprefix=8000w+hub&sr=8-3

Krietlers are the best rollers on the market. In terms of functionality, most rollers are similar. However Krietlers offer superior quality in terms of manufacturing. They are also very easy to repair.

If you want to buy a new Krietler, they are pretty cheap on Amazon right now.

If you are considering buying a used roller, make sure it is a Krietler, then you know you can replace parts as they wear out.

Do you have a speed sensor (speed-only or speed-cadence) on your bike? If you do, then you can use a program like Trainer Road and their "Virtual Power" - they have power curves on many turbo trainers from relatively inexpensive mag units to more expensive fluid units to actual rollers (side-note - thats an amazing price on those Kreitlers... if I hadn't just gotten my perfectly fine Nashbar set...). It can even directly control "Smart Trainers", like the Wahoo KICKR or take power values directly from a power meter if you decide to upgrade down the line.

Best part is that TR can use things like Sufferfest videos to make your training even more "pleasant".

tl;dr: Yes. Total cost will be trainer + ~$70 (speed sensor + ant+ dongle if needed) + $10/mo (TR subscription).

This is a 2012 Trek 1.1 Road bike, size 21. It has less than 200 miles on it and it was purchased and serviced new from an LBS in Charlotte less than a year ago. I can provide proof if needed. Looking for $400.

Pics

Bike includes: The pouch under the saddle, the mirror attached to the handle bar, and a speedometer/computer linked below:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BCG9EK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is a link to the bike:

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2012/archive/trek/1_1_h2_compact_2012/#/us/en/archive-model/details?url=us/en/bikes/2012/archive/trek/1_1_h2_compact_2012

For an extra $100 I will include an indoor trainer for the bike. Here is the trainer:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BT7HWO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My past two bikes I've bought a new cheapo rack off the shelf rated at 25 lbs, stretched it over a hybrid, and then slung 60 lbs of gear over it and had zero problems over 20k miles.

This is it: https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Transit-Racks/dp/B07C85RSPL

You should look into getting some bike trainer tape to protect your tire. Works great.
Bike Trainer Tape https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXO60KS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JfzjzbBT7ACR9

Since you enjoy biking, you could bring the bike indoors. As far as the Coke, I used to drink a lot of it. Now, I haven't drank it in so long that a sip burns my nostrils. My suggestions is to ween yourself off of it slowly so you avoid caffeine headaches.

Get a slick tire for your rear wheel and use something like this https://www.amazon.com/DYNAMIC-SE-Eexercise-Magnetic-Resistances/dp/B07D53PZ66/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=bike+trainer&qid=1573075949&sr=8-3

One of (if not the cheapest) smart trainer is the Tacx Flow Smart https://www.amazon.com/Tacx-Trainer-Connect-Training-Simulate/dp/B01M65QGWN

Hundreds of dollars less than the Kickr Snap, but will still give you a nice experience - much more fun than a dumb trainer + sensors (which I did for a long time before I bought my Tacx).

I get so much more out of the experience now that I have a supported smart trainer (I was using an unsupported dumb trainer + sensors).

Interesting, never thought of that. Assumed the block that came with my Tacx Neo 2 was sufficient. Any idea how I can measure out the current incline/decline? Looking at this now: https://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Climbing-Riser-Block/dp/B07CBDXXY9

Hey I made a kukri for my kit, I used a kukri prop I got from Amazon. Highly recommend it if you live somewhere you can order from Amazon, it's got a nice weight and is really sturdy (it's a training prop, you can hit hard with it and it won't break). Not to mention it's $10 if you can get free shipping.

Pic 1, before painting

Pic 2, after painting (sorry for the potato quality, I don't have another one handy and can't go take a better picture now)

Pic 3, in sheath (made with worbla and fake leather fabric)

Yep, that's about the gist of it. You'll probably want to select a training program that has progression and periodization planned out in advance, which will give better improvement at lower risk of injury than just swimming/running/biking a ton with no particular plan in mind would. There are probably a number of "best triathlon training plan" threads if you search, eg this one came up for me in a search just now: https://www.reddit.com/r/triathlon/comments/9asx5l/the_training_plan_thread_to_end_all_training_plan/

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I like the triathlon plans on trainerroad.com, though I already own a smart trainer and cycling is my strongest of the three disciplines, so both of those factors weighed into my choice. At 17 you may not have the money to invest in a subscription service with a monthly fee and the upfront cost to buy indoor training equipment, in which case different plans might suit you better.

20"4.0 Black Rear Wheel Fat Tire 48V 1500W Brushless Gearless Motor, The 65-70kph Speed Electric Fat Bike DIY Conversion Kit with 48V 20Ah Lithium Battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y45XYXM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JJbCDbC8ZGDEV

Something like this seems like it would do the trick.

Not technically rollers. I have the model up from this and it's great for the winter season. Fisher Outdoor Minoura Fg220 Hybrid Roller: Black/silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7YVZUV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WOkCCbJ113E69

I have this one. It's OK. It's quite noisy - a deep, bassy whirr - but a) I don't know if it's any noiser than the next one. and b) I can watch TV ok while training; it's not that loud. I do worry about my neighbours, though - and I live in a terraced house, not a flat. However, the noise is also a good indicator of how you're riding: you can hear your flat spots really clearly, and try to correct them by ear.

In terms of quality, it's decent; good and sturdy, and easy to set up. It comes with a special QR spindle that you need to replace your current back wheel spindle with; then you can easily clip in and out of the trainer with a quick flip/lock. On this basis, it's no good if you can't/don't use a QR back wheel for whatever reason.

https://youtu.be/paZt3oYdJEo

I built a frame that had a hinging part to it. I attached the bike trainer with screws and pipe brackets. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I0IS4S this is mostly the same as what I got from Craigslist.

https://imgur.com/gallery/Eiv7B I don't have any pictures of it but this is the basics. The width of the frame is the same as the width of the bike trainer. With the hinging part, it's easier to keep the tension on the alternator. I eventually had to hold it with a 2x4. I'm sure some mechanism can be fabricated to make it less of a pain.

Edit: I forgot there is a half descent shot of it in the video.

Most trainers use something like this. Its just called a classic skewer. Since you got it used you're probably going to have to buy your own.

Kinetic by Kurt Rear Skewer for Trainer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GSSDAY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_N16Wzb9H5T5X6

Don't mind the kurt kinetic brand in the name, these are all the same pretty much as long as they are silver/metal looking.

[Minoura bike trainers] (https://www.amazon.com/Redline-Minoura-2024-Trainer-Wheel/dp/B000MLCWNU) are generally pretty good

I'd Suggest this