Monday, 12/4/06 at 1:54 PM
by Tiffany Brown
by Tiffany Brown
Two Minute Tip... The Great Indoors (All about trainers)
Maybe you’re already suffering from cycling withdrawal or maybe you just want to stay active through the winter without resorting to the creaky stationary bike in the gym or maybe it’s just too COLD to go outside—whatever your motivation, an indoor trainer keeps you on your bike even if there’s a blizzard happening!
But how does one decipher the world of trainers and their accessories? What do you really need to get started? Have no fear, the Two Minute Tip is here!
Choosing a trainer is pretty easy. The basic mechanics are the same: indoor trainers are constructed to stabilize your bike and provide resistance as you pedal. They differ in the method of stabilization, amount and method of resistance (wind, magnetic, and fluid), and whether they offer additional features, for example the ability to fold for storage. You want to make sure that the model you choose is going to work well for your needs.
In terms of costs, a great trainer can be had for anywhere from $150 to $400. The method of resistance largely determines the cost, with fluid being the most expensive. Fluid trainers are also the quietest and have the most realistic road feel. These types of trainers don’t have any resistance control—to make pedaling harder or easier, just shift gears as you normally would.
Magnetic trainers are a good choice for beginners since they are less expensive than fluid systems, but not as noisy as wind trainers. Most magnetic trainers come with a bar-mounted shifter, for manual adjustment.
Assembling a trainer is not very complicated and most trainers don’t require any tools for setup. Putting it together simply requires some skill with mastering vague instructions and some small pieces, but if you can put Ikea furniture together, you can definitely set this up. Once you’ve navigated those waters and your bike is securely attached, climb on and spin!
Accessories can make your training session more enjoyable and reduce any problems related to skid marks or puddles of sweat on the floor. There are anti-skid floor mats, terry cloth sweat-stoppers, remote shifters, and storage bags designed to accommodate a folded trainer. You’ll definitely need a riser block to bring your front wheel level with the rear, but many a woman has made do with a phone book or old textbooks for elevation. The true masochists among us buy climbing blocks which raise the front wheel higher than the rear to simulate uphill climbs.
All that’s left is to pop in a DVD or turn on your favorite show and pedal!
Happy (indoor) riding!
Giant for Women
But how does one decipher the world of trainers and their accessories? What do you really need to get started? Have no fear, the Two Minute Tip is here!
Choosing a trainer is pretty easy. The basic mechanics are the same: indoor trainers are constructed to stabilize your bike and provide resistance as you pedal. They differ in the method of stabilization, amount and method of resistance (wind, magnetic, and fluid), and whether they offer additional features, for example the ability to fold for storage. You want to make sure that the model you choose is going to work well for your needs.
In terms of costs, a great trainer can be had for anywhere from $150 to $400. The method of resistance largely determines the cost, with fluid being the most expensive. Fluid trainers are also the quietest and have the most realistic road feel. These types of trainers don’t have any resistance control—to make pedaling harder or easier, just shift gears as you normally would.
Magnetic trainers are a good choice for beginners since they are less expensive than fluid systems, but not as noisy as wind trainers. Most magnetic trainers come with a bar-mounted shifter, for manual adjustment.
Assembling a trainer is not very complicated and most trainers don’t require any tools for setup. Putting it together simply requires some skill with mastering vague instructions and some small pieces, but if you can put Ikea furniture together, you can definitely set this up. Once you’ve navigated those waters and your bike is securely attached, climb on and spin!
Accessories can make your training session more enjoyable and reduce any problems related to skid marks or puddles of sweat on the floor. There are anti-skid floor mats, terry cloth sweat-stoppers, remote shifters, and storage bags designed to accommodate a folded trainer. You’ll definitely need a riser block to bring your front wheel level with the rear, but many a woman has made do with a phone book or old textbooks for elevation. The true masochists among us buy climbing blocks which raise the front wheel higher than the rear to simulate uphill climbs.
All that’s left is to pop in a DVD or turn on your favorite show and pedal!
Happy (indoor) riding!
Giant for Women
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