Bike Trainers Review

Bike trainers are equipment that hold bicycles upright and in place so that they can be ridden without moving forward. Bike trainers, such as the Cycleops bike trainer or Forza trainer, are usually used so that riders can exercise without riding outdoors or train for bike races in inclement weather. Bike trainers consist of a frame, a clamp that attaches to the bicycle, a roller for the rear wheel and a mechanism for providing pedal resistance. Bike trainers should not be confused with bike rollers, which prevent the bikes from moving forward but do not provide and balance or resistance. The most popular brands of bike trainers are Blackburn, Kinetic, Bell, Elite Screens and Tacx. Trainers are available for purchase online or offline in a range of retail shops, including bike shops, hardware stores, home improvement stores or general retailers. Minoura trainers offer a great selection for those looking into making a purchase. 

Trainers are usually categorized according to how the pedaling resistance is created, and there are pros and cons for each type. The cheapest kind of bike trainers are wind trainers. In these, a fan that is powered by the pedals shoots out air onto the back wheel that creates a resistance for the rider. The advantage is that the resistance increases as the speed increases, but these are the noisiest kind of bike trainers. Magnetic trainers have magnets that create a resistance on the rear wheel. These are nearly silent, but they have a limit on the resistance that they can provide.

Fluid bike trainers combine the technology of magnetic trainers with added fluid to create a variable resistance that builds with the cyclist’s speed. The disadvantage of fluid trainers is that they are prone to leaks. Mechanical bike trainers can be designed to harness the energy created by the cyclist to power appliances such as a washing machine or toaster. The disadvantages of these are that they are not widely manufactured and require a lot of technical knowledge to build. One trainer utililzing this fluid resistance is the Blackburn trainer.

Digital or virtual reality trainers are hooked up to a bike computer with a screen that allows the rider to feel resistance similar to riding on actual terrain. Some virtual reality trainers come with steering sensors that will allow the cyclist to steer through virtual worlds on their computer screens at a variable pace. There are even internet competitions in which cyclists using virtual reality trainers in their own homes can compete against other cyclists around the world. The downside is that these are the most expensive kind of bike trainers.

Bike electronics and accessories include shifter remotes to allow cyclists to adjust the resistance of the trainer without getting off of the bicycle, trainer mats to protect the floor underneath of the bicycle and trainer, and riser blocks and rings to simulate climbing hills.

Models

Pricing

Bike trainers range from $150 USD to $1500 USD.