Best Turbo Trainer: Top 5 Picks & Reviews for 2017!
If you live in an area where seasons happen and can’t always go outside and cycle around, then you should get yourself a turbo trainer. Turbo trainers are designed specifically to bring the outdoor feel of bicycling indoors. So, when it’s snowy, wet, or just a dreary day full of traffic, all you need to do is grab your bike and your turbo trainer with rollers and you are good to go! It is the perfect bike trainer solution.
Turbo trainers are easy to install onto your bike: You just need to attach the clamps on the trainer to the quick release skewer on the rear wheel of your bike; this makes it so that as you pedal, the rear wheel will turn and so will the turbo trainer rollers. Turbo training has never been easier.
Why Should You Invest in a Turbo Trainer?
You might think that they seem super boring or tedious, but that’s not true. They are a great tool to help you stay in shape during those days, weeks, or even months when you can’t go outside and train. Plus, it makes it safer for you to ride around during the winter or when there’s a lot of traffic. Imagine turbo training whenever you need to with the ultimate bike trainer.
You don’t just have to use turbo trainers when you don’t think it’s a good idea to go outside; you can use them all year round to help you train. They are an effective method of training because you can work on any specific fitness area and create a training session just around that one thing.
If you find that you are tight on time some days, but you really need or want to train, then you should consider purchasing a turbo trainer. They make it easy for you to cram in a 30-minute training session into any of your busy days. You won’t have to drag your bike outside and work your way around different areas of traffic, or feel like you can’t go the route you want to go because of time constraints—it’s right there in your house!
Ultimately, the choice is up to you, but they are a great buy if you are looking to train and improve your cycling abilities. If you do decide to go ahead and purchase a turbo trainer, here is a list of 5 of the overall best turbo trainers on the market that you should consider purchasing:
Kinetic Road Machine 2.0 Fluid Trainer
Price: $339.00
Key Features:
- Quiet, smooth, and the resistance gradually increases to match being outdoors.
- Incredibly reliable
- Fully assembled frame
- Fits 22 – 29-inch bike wheels
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
- Has a realistic road feel as you’re using it, which better helps you train for future trips outdoors
- This trainer is built so well, the stability and durability of it are outstanding. You’re getting what you’re paying for
- Easy to set up and start using!
Cons:
- There are some complaints that this trainer is loud
JetBlack Z1 Pro Fluid Trainer
Price: $349.99
Key Features:
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Folds into a compact shape for easy storage and transport
Pros:
- Incredibly easy to set up - the instructions are very clear, and the calibration of the trainer is simple
- The quality of this product is astounding, plus it’s incredibly stable when you’re using it
- You can easily change the resistance of this trainer by shifting between gears
- This trainer is made mostly of metal instead of plastic, so you know that it’s going to last for a long time
Cons:
- There aren’t any cons about this product, but perhaps the price
Elite Qubo Fluid Trainer with Riser Block and Sweat Net
Price: $149.00
Key Features:
- Resistance increases as your wheel speed increases and this helps to match the roads that you would ride on outdoors
- Increased range of leaning area and great stability options
- High resistance levels can be obtained at low speeds - the flywheel is completely immersed in oil
Pros:
- Set up is incredibly easy and quick to do, you just get your bike out and attach it into the trainer
- The resistance is great for helping a cyclist train indoors, especially since it increases and you pedal faster
- The quality of this turbo trainer is impeccable - extremely durable, stable, and worth the money
Cons:
- It doesn’t roll as smoothly as other, more expensive trainers
- Is rather noisy when you’re using it
CycleOps Mag
Price: $199.99
Key Features:
- Kit includes a training mat and a riser block
- Creates little to no noise while you’re using it
- There is a precision-machined alloy roller to help reduce the wear and tear on your tires
- To adjust the tire fit, you only need to turn a knob
- Made in the USA
Pros:
- The price of this turbo trainer is competitive and contains everything that a trainer would need to train indoors
- Set up is fairly easy to accomplish on your own
- This trainer doesn’t make a lot of noise as other turbo trainers
Cons:
- There isn’t a way to change the resistance levels on this trainer
Tacx Blue Motion Trainer
Price: $223.47
Key Features:
- There are ten different positions on the resistance lever
- Universal fit for wheels with diameter 600 – 710 mm
- Easy to assemble brake system
- Maximum resistance is 950 watts
Pros:
- A simple turbo trainer that is simple and easy to use
- The fact that there are ten different resistance levels makes it so you can easily train for different ride types
- The universal fit makes it so that you don’t have to worry about it not fitting onto your bike
Cons:
- There really aren’t any cons for this product; it’s an overall good buy!
These trainers are a great investment, but which should you buy? The first thing you should do is look at your budget, how much can you afford on a trainer? Once you have determined that, think about your training needs. How often would you use it for training? Do you think that it could add to your training sessions and help you improve?
These are just some questions that you can ask yourself if you are looking through this list and wondering which you should buy, just figure out your needs and go from there!
