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Bike Trainer Comparison
A bike trainer is also called a bike stand trainer or a turbo trainer. A bike trainer allows you to train indoors on your own bike.
You simply connect your rear wheel to the trainer so that you can pedal against a given resistance supplied by the trainer. This means that you can change your gear and brake as if you were outside, but in the comfort of your own home.
A bike trainer is generally used by people who want to improve their speed or stamina on their own bike rather than using a gym machine that might provide a sense of unfamiliarity or come with complex settings.
It also gives you the freedom to train in all weather conditions. Cycling outdoors in extreme weather conditions, against the wind, rain, or snow provides a risk for serious injury. A bike trainer mitigates this risk by continuing to train indoors.
Indoor bike trainers are also used to warm up prior to a race or competition and also to cool down and get lactic acid away from the muscles. For example, sprint cyclists are often seen pedaling away on stationary bikes attached to a trainer to warm up beforehand and cool down.
Types of Bike Trainers
Bike trainers come in a variety of designs depending on what type of resistance is provided. The four most common types use either wind, fluid, magnetic, or centrifugal resistance.
- Fluid – Fluid Bike Trainers combine a magnetic flywheel with fluid chambers that produce the resistance. The advantage of the fluid bike trainer is that it is nearly silent and resistance can be added progressively. However, friction can cause them to overheat and there is a possibility of leaks.
- Magnetic – A Magnetic Flywheel creates resistance for the rear tire. The advantage of a magnetic bike trainer is that it is almost silent, but the downside is that they are prone to breaking and have a limit on the amount of resistance that they can provide.
- Wind – Wind Bike Trainers use a fan that is powered by the cyclist’s legs to provide increased resistance the faster they pedal. The advantage of the wind bike trainer is that it is more realistic when compared to cycling outdoors, but the disadvantages are that it can be very noisy and there is a limited amount of resistance it provides.
- Centrifugal – In the Centrifugal Bike Trainer, pressure plates provide resistance to the rear tire. The advantages are that it is almost silent and that the resistance can be adjusted. However, they are also prone to breaking under extreme use.
- Roller – A Roller Trainer, also known as a cycling roller, is a set of unsupported roller bars which allow you to cycle while stationary with both front and back wheels turning in comparison to just the rear on the turbo trainers. These are great, but can be expensive and are much harder to use than the turbo.
Bike Trainer Cost Comparison
The most expensive trainer is the fluid bike trainer, which is the quietest and provides the most realistic ride. The earlier problems of failure due to leakage seem to have been resolved by the higher-end fluid bike trainer manufacturers.
Next is the magnetic bike trainer. Once again, the higher-end magnetic trainers don’t suffer from the breakdowns and noise that early-model mag bicycle trainers were known for.
Finally, you have the wind bike trainer. They’re noisier and aren’t able to provide leg-burning resistance, but there are plenty of recreational riders who would benefit from what a wind bike trainer has to offer when poor weather or seasonal darkness keep a cyclist indoors.
Conclusion
There are lots of benefits to using a bike or turbo trainer. The best advantage is that you never have to put off training again. With a bike trainer, you can simply set up a biking set-up indoors in a convenient space. Secondly, they are relatively small to store when you are not using them, and they run quietly, so can be used early in the morning or late at night without disturbing anyone.
From a fitness point of view, they are also great for allowing you to vary your training method by altering resistance settings. For competitive cyclists, it also means that you train on your own bike, which will have a very precise set up to maintain the optimum form. You also have the freedom to set it up in front of the TV, browse on the iPad, or read a book while cycling.
