Does anyone have any experience/oppinions about this piece of equipment? It gets good reviews online, but I trust the people on this board more then the reviewers.

I saw your other post about the Proform bike that didn't hold up. What you should do is get a real bicycle (if you don't have one already) and use it on a stationary fluid trainer like one of these. I've had one for 5+ years and it still works fine. I highly recommend this combination over a Schwinn Airdyne.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=4120

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=123&subcategory=1087&storetype=&estoreid=&init=y&pagename=

Does anyone have any experience/oppinions about this piece of equipment? It gets good reviews online, but I trust the people on this board more then the reviewers.


My wife and I have been using one for 12 years, along with other equipment. I think it is one of the best pieces of exercise equipment on the market. They last forever, no maintenance, and I have burned over 1000 in an hour on it (in my younger days).

When I was in for rehab for my knee that is what they had. I thought it was an execellent piece of equipment. Not much on bells and whistles, resitence was done by fan, the harder you pedaled the more resitence it produced. The one they had may have been a hevyier commerical model, but I can't see that breaking down or wearing out for a long time.

DRB

They're great! I've had both the classic and the comp model (currently have the comp) The comp is a little quieter and a bit smoother. The fan is also smaller so its easier to move around. The classic hasn't really changed in 15+ years.

With either model, its better to buy used. They're durable and little can go wrong. If something does break, you can get parts. Comps go for about 300-400 used. You can find classic/older models for $100-$150.

Thank you very much. This is exactly the imput I was looking for.

The airdyne was the first piece of fitness equipment I ever used when I was 16. I worked my butt off on that thing for 20 minutes 5 times/week in 2 months I had lost 10 lbs of fat. IMO it's a great bike.

I saw your other post about the Proform bike that didn't hold up. What you should do is get a real bicycle (if you don't have one already) and use it on a stationary fluid trainer like one of these. I've had one for 5+ years and it still works fine. I highly recommend this combination over a Schwinn Airdyne.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=4120

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=123&subcategory=1087&storetype=&estoreid=&init=y&pagename=

Thanks Enigma66!

I was just thinking about one of these this morning. Couldn't figure out what it was called. It's on my wish list!

Enigma66.....Not trying to hijack here..just a quick question on the 2 links you posted above..How easy are those things to install?.

Do you have to take the back wheel off the bike to set it up or do they just pretty well bolt right on?.

Thanks.

Enigma66.....Not trying to hijack here..just a quick question on the 2 links you posted above..How easy are those things to install?.

Do you have to take the back wheel off the bike to set it up or do they just pretty well bolt right on?.

Thanks.

1. very
2. yes

I saw your other post about the Proform bike that didn't hold up. What you should do is get a real bicycle (if you don't have one already) and use it on a stationary fluid trainer like one of these. I've had one for 5+ years and it still works fine. I highly recommend this combination over a Schwinn Airdyne.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=4120

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=123&subcategory=1087&storetype=&estoreid=&init=y&pagename=

Out of interest, why? Most of the "serious" cyclists I know are moving to spinning bikes. Personally, when I had my trainer set up in front of a mirror, I could see the frame flexing on hard efforts (simulated climbs) which makes me wary of the wear and tear that the trainer is putting on the frame.

How easy are those things to install?.

Do you have to take the back wheel off the bike to set it up?
1. Very
2. NO. You just line up the the rear wheel's axle with the trainer, and then tighten the trainer against it. It's like a compression fit I guess you'd call it. I've never seen one where you had to remove the rear wheel. The ones I linked to are simple - on and off in 10 seconds.

Out of interest, why? Most of the "serious" cyclists I know are moving to spinning bikes.I recommended that option because he sounds more like someone interested in 'home' cardio than being a serious cyclist. Although I've never used a spinning bike, I have seen them. I figure they have to cost at least $1000?

Personally, when I had my trainer set up in front of a mirror, I could see the frame flexing on hard efforts (simulated climbs) which makes me wary of the wear and tear that the trainer is putting on the frame.The frame would flex if you were up out of the saddle climbing a real hill too though. Or are you meaning more that the frame is trying to be held in place by the trainer and can't move freely side to side naturally? I'm not sure what to say about that. Steel frames can flex without permanently bending, and most name brand bikes have a lifetime frame warranty too.

I guess my thinking is, if the stationary trainers are good enough for Tour de France riders to warm up on (you always see them using them on pre-race days), then they're good enough for the rest of us. Like I said, I've had mine 5 years and no issues.

The frame would flex if you were up out of the saddle climbing a real hill too though. Or are you meaning more that the frame is trying to be held in place by the trainer and can't move freely side to side naturally? I'm not sure what to say about that. Steel frames can flex without permanently bending, and most name brand bikes have a lifetime frame warranty too.
That's true, but they're not flexing against resistance. When I "climb" on my trainer, the bike's flex is limited by the mechanism that holds the bike to the trainer; it's like an additional force, right? I'm flexing against resistance. I really am not an engineer, so I'm just tossing around ideas. I have no experience with steel bikes; my bikes are aluminum and carbon.

I guess my thinking is, if the stationary trainers are good enough for Tour de France riders to warm up on (you always see them using them on pre-race days), then they're good enough for the rest of us. Like I said, I've had mine 5 years and no issues.
This argument doesn't really hold water for me, and this is why:
most of us weigh more than professional riders
most of us have far worse technique, thereby putting additional stress on our bikes
no one's waiting in the wings to provide me with as many free bikes (or wheels, or bottom brackets, or saddles) as I need.

I don't think that the experience of a pro is truly comparable to the needs and desires of your average rider. Longevity and durability are not as important to a pro as they are for recreational riders. But then, a recreational rider might be more concerned about cost than longevity.

Anyway, my trainer hurts my knee, as a totally different aside! :confused: