Indoor Bike Trainer

[bostonmichelle]

So I really want to focus on cross training for my next half marathon cycle. My closest gym is 20 mins away and I just never make it there in the morning, especially with long days of tax season coming shortly. Last year when I started running, having my treadmill in my basement is what made me get up and run more days than not. I have an old bike from my teenage days before my first car at my dad's house. I'm considering getting an indoor bike trainer so I can bike in my living room for 30-40 mins a couple times a week. Anyone have any recommendations for trainers? Also is there any attachment I can get so I can see how many miles I pedal while stationary? Thanks!

[katinthehat]

The Garmin cadence sensor will sync with your watch to give you bike data. Sadlebred has good trainer info in her bio

[katinthehat]

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JM6DKUA/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1419003677&sr=8-2&dpPl=1&dpID=41MvKgGqKTL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

[Susie]

I have the Garmin speed/cadence sensor that kat linked above for determining speed/distance on the trainer.  TBH though, the actual miles are not the most important thing to me; I am more concerned w/ HR (well, and cadence) to keep myself honest about effort.  There are so many variables (gearing, how tightly you have the trainer clamped down on your rear wheel) that affect how far/fast you'll go for the same effort indoors.  Plus you need a Garmin (or similar) that works wirelessly (ANT+) with the speed/cadence sensor for it to work.  

Trainers vary a lot.  Since I use mine for primary training through the winter (not just cross training) I wanted a good one and was willing to spend a little more.  I have a Kurt Kinetic road machine, which was in the low-mid $300s.

You will want to get a cheap, smooth tire to put on your back wheel for trainer use.  Trainers eat rear tires for breakfast, plus knobby tires are really loud on trainers (hard to watch TV over).

[bullygirl979]

I have the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, which I love. Like PP said, if you have the garmin cadence sensor, it will sync to your watch. I actually bought the Kinetic InRide which shows all the same data, but also works as a power meter too.

[sadlebred]

Don't focus on distance too much on the trainer. I can ride as HARD as I can on the trainer for an hour and do 13 miles whereas an equivalent distance outside might be 18-19 miles. If you have a Garmin, the cadence censor is a good idea. If you don't, any wireless cycling computer that can be attached to the rear wheel will give you similar info. I've had the same wireless computer on my trainer bike for years and am too cheap to buy the Garmin mount. The wireless computer does everything (speed, distance, time, cadence). You might want to get some workout videos like Spinervals or something you watch via the computer like Sufferfest.

I have some info. about trainers in the link below. I have a 6-7 year old Kurt Kinetic that I like. Before that I had a Cycleops Fluid Trainer that a friend of mine is still using. It must be 16-17 years old.

Also, everything Susie said.