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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.
Best Cycling Rollers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 2017
Indoor training with a stationary trainer roller and resistance unit for your bike is one way that you can get in better shape and have a lot of fun while you’re doing it. It’s just like riding your bike out on the road, but it’s definitely safer and possible to do no matter what it’s like outside. Training in this way, helps you to improve your heart rate, Bike trainer cycling rollers allow you to hook your bike up to a machine that helps you move easily, with a little more freedom than a traditional trainer. You’re definitely going to have no problem getting the hang of any of these and hooking them up to your favorite bike for an indoor cycling session.
Kreitler Kompact Hot Dog 3.0
Priced around $450, the Kreitler Kompact Hot Dog 3.0 is a great bike trainer that provides you with just the right amount of resistance so you can get a great workout in. Made entirely in the United States, this system has 10” wide drums and work great for riders who are looking for a bit of a challenge. You get everything you need to ride, including a base that works well for 38” to 42” wheelbases. Designed to be lightweight and easy to carry around, this system is definitely a great choice and it’s going to be simple to use.
The drums and caps on this system are made with aluminum and are designed to give you a super smooth ride and to do it very quietly as well. The bike roller system is extremely sturdy and will keep you riding safely without having to worry about wobbling or other damage that could occur over time. You’ll get plenty of space and you’re going to get a realistic riding experience that you’re definitely going to love and that you won’t have a problem keeping up throughout the bad weather and the cold of winter.
SportsCrafters OverDrive Pro Rollers
Slightly lower in price, the SportsCrafters OverDrive Pro Rollers provide a smooth and simple surface that you’ll definitely be able to get the amount of resistance that you want and a whole lot more. The system uses a magnetic resistance process for harder resistance when you pedal harder, which is definitely a benefit for most. It also provides low-speed stability because of the setup and you’ll have smooth drums that still keep your bike right where it needs to be for safety. It’s also a quiet system that makes it easy to ride even when there are other people in the house.
You can easily fold up the system when you’re not using it so it’s ready to go whenever you want. This makes it simple to transport and also simple to stow away if you need the space. There are rubber floor protectors on the base that keep you from scratching the floor and the system itself is made of aluminum and steel, so it’s definitely high quality. Made in the United States, it’s designed to last a lifetime and make it much easier for you to get the workout and the experience that you’re looking for in riding indoors.
Elite Arion Mag Parabolic Rollers
With the Elite Arion Mag Parabolic Rollers, you’re getting a moderately expensive system that provides you with a whole lot of advanced features. This bike roller system offers 3 different magnetic resistance levels and parabolic shaped drums. This provides you with more control when it comes to riding and makes sure that you are going to get the intensity of workout that you’re looking for. It’s easy to adjust and setup and because it’s lightweight and foldable you’ll have no problem transporting it whenever you want. Not only that but you’ll be able to carry it with the integrated handle.
There’s very little noise when it comes to using this system and you’re going to have less wear on your tires because it’s made with a composite plastic that reduces static and a whole lot more. It works great with any bike you may have including road bikes and mountain bikes and though it takes a bit of work to get over the learning curve, it’s really going to make sure you have a great workout and that you can ride while you’re doing anything that you want, which is definitely going to be a lot of fun.
CycleOps Alloy Rollers
The CycleOps Alloy Rollers are very simple but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not going to give you just what you’re looking for. They don’t have any kind of bumpers on the outside, which means you need to be careful when you’re riding so you don’t slide right off. They also have a very slick surface, which means you’re going to have no problem at all getting a smooth and fast ride whenever you want. Because they have a moderate size you’re also going to have plenty of space and you’re going to have everything ready to go when you open the box.
The bicycle rollers themselves are pre-installed and the frame can be folded and unfolded easily to make sure you have enough space wherever you are for your indoor training. The moderate price is great for those interested in getting a bike trainer system of this type and the aluminum makeup means that it’s going to be sturdy and ready for absolutely anything. There are five different levels of resistance and the entire thing is made in the United States. Even better, it has a lifetime warranty, so you know you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for and that the system is going to last for a very long time.
No matter whether you prefer to ride a mountain bike or a road bike, it can be difficult to ride during all parts of the year, but you’re definitely going to be able to do it when you have an indoor bike roller trainer. Just make sure that what you have is high quality and is going to stand up to the test of time. After all, you definitely don’t want something that doesn’t provide the right level of support or the right amount of resistance. With any of these rollers, you won’t have to worry about that.
Choosing A Bike Trainer
Portable, smooth, quiet, affordable—different folks have different tastes while choosing the best indoor bike trainer for them.
There are four common types of indoor bike trainers:
- Wind – The cyclist powers a fan that provides resistance.
- Magnetic – A fixed resistance is offered by a magnetic flywheel.
- Fluid – Silicon within the unit offers resistance.
- Rollers – The unattached bike is balanced on top of three cylinders.
Even within these four broad categories, there is a wide range of choices. Magnetic and fluid trainers, in particular, go from fairly simple models with a handlebar-mounted remote to vary the resistance, all the way up to smart-bike-trainer enabled versions that pair to your computer, track power, and offer downloadable workouts. Here are some basic guidelines to choose a bike trainer that suits your needs.
- Consider a wind trainer or simple magnetic model if you just need a basic model for pre-race warm-ups. The folding legs for easy portability, which is an added advantage.
- Consider rollers if you want to work on your pedal stroke. Rollers will help you immensely to smoothen out your clunky cadence.
- Consider a fluid trainer that tracks power output, or a smart trainer that pairs to your computer if you need to do structured workouts.
- Consider a smart trainer that can interface with independent training programs wherein you can ride or race along with if you tend to get bored easily riding indoors.
Some other items to consider while choosing a bike trainer are:
- Compatibility: With axle attachment standards and widths changing almost yearly, check whether a trainer you’re interested in offers different attachment options such as thru-axle adaptors and different free-hub options for direct-attachment trainers.
- Functionality: Is it easy to get your bike on and off the trainer?
- Smoothness and Sturdiness: Some trainers are a little smoother than others. And of course, a cyclist’s pedal stroke can go a long way toward cutting down on the choppiness and instability aboard a trainer.
- Storage: Some trainers have folding legs for easier storage (some rollers fold in half as well). That can add modest amounts to the cost.
- Noise: All trainers make noise, and produce vibrations that may be annoying to others around you. Particularly if you live in a building with shared walls or floor/ceilings, pay attention to how much noise and vibration a trainer produces.
- Stability: Trainer crashes are rare, but not unheard of when you’re going cross-eyed trying to beat your PR on that workout. Typically, the broader the base, the more stable.
- Price: How much are you willing to invest?
Accessories
There are a lot of accessories, from the essential (axle attachment inserts) to the obscure (a storage bag). Here are a few basic ones you might want to consider, prioritized by importance:
- Axle attachment inserts: Some trainers that attach via the rear wheel can accommodate different axle standards and offer inserts for that purpose. Make sure the trainer you are buying has compatible options for the bike or bikes you want to use it with.
- Front wheel block: You can use a stack of phone books as a front wheel block and it would work, but a dedicated leveling block is a lot more stable and not very expensive.
- Sensors: You can buy a basic unit now and upgrade it later with sensors for things like power, cadence, or even virtual speed, which can transform basic units into smart trainers that work with training programs.
- Floor mat: It protects your floor from scratches and sweat, and absorbs a bit of vibration. It is useful for nice floors and apartments.
- Trainer tire: Trainers rely on friction to produce resistance, so they’re much harder on tires than road miles—they not only wear out tread, but will flex casings to the point that they can eventually fail. If you have high-end tires on your bike and are riding inside most of the winter, consider a trainer-specific tire, which has a beefier casing and tread. They’re typically not recommended for outdoor use.
Conclusion
In the end, an indoor trainer is a great tool to keep your cycling sharp even when the days get short and the weather freezes the roads. Making sure you pick the best trainer for your needs will go a long way in making your winter as active as ever.
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.