Bicycle Fluid Trainer: Buying Guide & Top 5 Reviews for 2017
Bicycle Fluid Trainers are apparatuses that enable users to attach the rear wheel of their bike to a stationary and stable location for in-place riding. Having grown immensely in popularity over the years, bicycle fluid trainers like a road machine as they are perfect for consumers who live in rainy climates, those who prefer a safer option to their beloved nighttime bike rides, or those who prefer getting a vigorous workout at home during anytime of the day.
With the influx of new fluid trainers available on the market today, consumers are presented with a wide range of top-quality products, many of which feature premium materials, plenty of extras and accessories, and are supportive of a variety of body weights.
Bicycle fluid trainers are easy to use and provide opportunities for intense cardio workouts. Conversely, resistance can be set to provide a more relaxed workout for those who are newer to exercising. Performance bike riders will love the ability to set resistances as high as 750 watts to engage in heart-pumping workouts rivaling the best real-road biking experiences.
If you are interested in purchasing a new bicycle fluid trainer, read on below to find out our top 5 picks for 2017!
1. CycleOps Fluid Trainer
Touted as providing the most realistic road-like experience, the CycleOps Fluid Trainer is not only distinct from the competition but also from many other products in its own lineup.
Featuring fully encased hydraulic fluid providing immense amounts of resistance, the Fluid Trainer from CycleOps is worlds apart from its externally-existing variable resistance functionality found on other machines.
Promoting intense workouts, the Fluid Trainer’s internally encased fluid becomes hotter in temperature as a direct result of harder, more vigorous pedalling. Along with its powerband technology that is directly reliant on personal cadence and gearing, the Fluid Trainer offers anywhere from 20 watts to a whopping 725 watts of resistance.
CycleOps’ meticulously crafted machine has a specialized built-in cooling function that provides users the utmost safety and ensures a long-lasting and durable product that will continue to help users up their fitness game.
Product pricing | Product weight | Product dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Less than $300 | 18 pounds | 15.7 x 21.5 x 28 inches |
PROS:
- Features highly convenient Quick-Lock mounting
- Includes a customized skewer
- Comes with a free climbing video to maximize your personal results
- All-new larger-sized power wheel
- Built-in cooling system for safety and long-lasting durability
- Promotes intense workouts with increased watts correlated to increased speeds
Cons:
- Priced higher than competing machines
2. VEVOR Fluid Resistance Trainer
Looking right at home in any sports club or gym, this all-black fluid resistance trainer features gleaming stainless steel accents and durable build materials that are reminiscent of industrial grade quality. With its overall density and superbly crafted construction, the VEVOR Fluid Resistance Trainer features a whisper-quiet operation with very little noise imparted during use.
Able to accommodate individuals up to 330 pounds, the VEVOR features what they refer to as “progressive resistance” that provides a realistic road-like experience for users. Its effortless operation is easy, self-explanatory, and enjoyable, in addition to being able to accommodate people of all fitness levels.
Product pricing | Product weight | Product dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Around $150 | 26.35 pounds | 22 x 8.5 x 26 inches |
PROS:
- Exceptional quality—heavy-duty, premium construction
- Quiet operation with almost no noise during use due to noise-reduction roller
- “Progressive resistance” for an authentic road-like experience
- Transforms your bike into an indoor exercise cycling machine
- Can support up to 330 pounds
- Folds up into a compact position for easy storage
- No assembly required
CONS:
- Consumers have reported instruction manual is difficult to understand
3. OrangeA Fluid Trainer with Resistance Shifter
Created for serious riders, the OrangeA Fluid Trainer with fully-integrated resistance shifter is a product that consumers appreciate for its authentic road-biking experience, high-quality design that enables it to be used as a daily trainer day in and day out, and it's effortless and seamless ability to transform your regular bike into an indoor cycling machine.
Utilizing a functional fluid resistance mechanism, users can moderate the levels until they find the precise degree of resistance they desire for their workout.
A great option for consumers living in rainy climates and those who prefer a safer method of nighttime riding, the OrangeA enables anyone to have a comprehensive cycling experience within their own home.
Adjustable fluid resistance, you can get the right resistance for your workout. It's perfect when the weather isn't ideal for outdoor riding or if you're just looking to jump on your indoor bike trainer at any given time. It provides the most road-like feel of any bicycle trainer. In essence, it's a resistance unit encased in hydraulic fluid.
Unlike cheap magnetic external variable resistance, on this fluid bike trainer—the harder you pedal, the hotter the fluid gets, and the more resistance you will experience. Ultimately, it will give you a real-world, road-like feel.
This fluid trainer offers a quiet design with heavy-duty construction, very low noise, and holds up to 330 lbs.
Maximum noise-reduction wheel roller, designed with heat dissipation fan, external flywheel facilitates smooth and efficient pedaling action
Wide, stable base provides solid performance during hard efforts, fits for most road 700C and 26"–29" bikes different size of wheel
Turn your bike into an indoor exercise bike, easy setup and quiet operation, designed for bikes with quick release rear axle,frame folds compactly for storage or transport
Product pricing | Product weight | Product dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Less than $300 | 44 pounds | 57 x 9 x 31 inches |
PROS:
- Adjustable fluid resistance to moderate resistance until at desired level for workouts
- Included wheel blocks to keep the unit’s wheels locked, secure, and safe
- Built-in cooling fan
- Externally located flywheel for smooth pedaling
- Wide-set base provides stability and optimal performance during vigorous workouts
- Quiet operation with built-in noise reduction roller
- Compact storage and transportation options
- Great for those who live in rainy climates or desire a safer nighttime riding option
CONS:
- Requires assembly. Some users have indicated the instruction manual is difficult to understand
4. Nashbar Fluid Trainer
Bright yellow and steel accents highlight an all-black frame on the Nashbar Fluid Trainer. With its sharp looks and professional construction, Nashbar has created a product that perfectly encompasses style, high-performance, and overall affordability.
At a reasonable price of around $145.99, this machine is a great option for consumers looking for a fluid trainer that won't break the bank, performs exceedingly well, and has just enough of a pop of color to motivate users.
An all-new fluid resistance system from Nashbar utilized an inner flywheel mechanism that provides users with smooth pedaling. Switching up the gears enables users to obtain a more intense workout and vice-versa.
With its super-quiet operation, many users have noted that they can comfortably watch TV and listen to music while operating the Nashbar Fluid Trainer with no interruption whatsoever.
Product pricing | Product weight | Product dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Around $150 | 42.1 pounds | 58 x 9 x 30.5 inches |
PROS:
- Realistic, true-to-like pedal strokes
- Internal flywheel system for smooth and quiet operation
- All-new fluid resistance system design
- Easy setup
- Easy folding for storage and transport
- Rubber feet to prevent scratches on floors
- Rear-situated quick-release skewer provides a perfect fit to your bike
CONS:
- Unit is slightly heavier than competing products
5. CycleOps Fluid2 Indoor Trainer
The newest version of CycleOps famed Fluid Indoor Trainer, the Fluid 2 has been heralded by many users as one of the best fluid trainer machines available on the market today.
Currently, in ownership of boasting rights to the best-selling fluid trainer on the market, CycleOps has taken their original best-selling product and packed it full accessories and noteworthy improvements for a hugely enhanced user experience.
New additions include but are not limited to:
- Patented fan-operated cooling functionality
- Now featuring heavy-duty 16-gauge steel
- Newly redesigned adjustable footpads
- Quiet operation at only 64–68 decibels
Product pricing | Product weight | Product dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Around $300 | 10.43 x 13.39 x 17.91 inches | 21.5 pounds |
PROS:
- Includes sweat guard, training mat, and blocks
- Stainless steel fabricated quick-release rear skewer for optimized fit
- Precision flywheel for easy customization
- Comes with PowerTap
- Comes with PowerCal
- Comes with Joule-style bicycling computer
Cons:
- Top-tier pricing
- Lighter weight means less stability during vigorous workouts
For more valuable information on the different kinds of fluid trainers available on the market today, visit us at bikingtribe.com.
With our crew of highly-trained specialists, we are among the leading sites online for information pertaining to bicycles, security, performance, and more.
