![What Is The Best Bike Trainer [Reviews 2017]](https://www.fitandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Best-Bike-Trainer-Reviews.jpg)
Cycling is of course a great form of exercise that is fantastic for your cardiovascular health, it helps you lose weight, it strengthens your legs, and so much more. However what if you want to cycle indoors without having to buy a pricey exercise bike, or if the weather outside is frightful, or if you don’t want to waste cash on a gym membership? The answer is, of course, a bike trainer.
A bike trainer is a great tool that lets you use your road bike or mountain bike indoors and cycle on the spot in front of your TV with ease and comfort. Obviously, you don’t want any old bike trainer because that would be a waste of money. You want the best bike trainer that money can buy and that is what we are here to help you with today. Keep reading to find out which bike trainers are the very best options which you should be considering right now.
Summary: The Best Bike Trainers
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What Is A Bike Trainer?
Simply out, a bike trainer is a device that lets you cycle indoors on one single spot. It raises your back wheel off of the ground and puts on a set of rollers which keeps the bike in place as you pedal away. A bike trainer can use a few different methods to let the wheel turn as you stay in one spot. Many models also offer you various levels of resistance so you can still get a good outdoor-like workout from the comfort of your home.
The Benefits Of A Bike Trainer
Of course having a bike trainer means that you are going to be cycling, but we aren’t going to talk about all of the benefits of cycling, that is for another day. What we do want to quickly talk about is what the benefits of having a bike trainer are.
First off, these things can actually help you save a fair amount of money. Sure they are fairly expensive, but it means not having to buy an expensive gym membership or a whole indoor exercise bike, both things which are more expensive than a bike trainer.
There is also the fact that riding your bike on a trainer will save your tires from being worn down too quickly.
Another benefit of having a bike trainer is of course that you can cycle inside, without snow and rain, and you can do it right in front of your television.
What To Look For When Buying A Bike Trainer
Bike trainers definitely are useful pieces of exercise equipment to have in your home, but that being said, you do want the right bike trainer. These things can end up being fairly expensive so you don’t want to just buy the first one you see. Here are a few tips on what to look out for before you make your purchase.
Stability
One of the most important things to consider before you make your purchase is how stable the item in question is. The bike trainer that you get should have adjustable feet so you can stabilize it on any surface. As well, the trainer you buy should also have a fairly wide base to increase its stability even more.
Materials
Another very important thing to keep in mind before you buy and particular bike trainer is what materials it is made of. Like we have mentioned countless times before, when it comes to exercise equipment, the more metal the item contains the better. Metal is strong and durable and when it comes to something like a bike trainer, a solid metal frame is necessary for withstanding your and your bicycle’s weight. Of course, there will be some plastic and rubber included, but the less the better.
Resistance
The next thing to keep in mind before you make a purchase is the resistance system which the bike trainer has, if it has one at all. Some have magnetic resistance systems, some have fluid resistance systems, and some simply provide resistance through the gears on your own bicycle. The bottom line is that a solid resistance system is a necessity if you want a truly awesome stationary indoor cycling experience.
Size
Something else to consider when buying a bike trainer is the size of it. Of course, if you are cycling inside you probably have enough room for the trainer either way, but the initial size of the thing is not really what we are getting at. What is quite beneficial when it comes to bike trainers is the ability to fold in half for easy storage and portability.
Bike Trainer Reviews
Our Rating
One of the best choices in terms of bike trainers to go with is without a doubt the Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Trainer. This item is extremely durable, very stable, it features progressive resistance, and it has a fair number of other features, all of which make it a prime choice.
Design
Perhaps the thing that we like the most about the design of the Kinetic Road Machine is that it comes fully assembled out of the box. You don’t need to read any pesky instructions and you don’t have to spend hours and hours putting it together. It comes fully put together, and the materials that make up the whole are all top quality. High-grade steel and plastic over-molded rubber make this a very durable item.
Another thing that is great about this particular model of bike trainer is that it fits virtually any mountain bike and road bike. It can fit tires anywhere between 22 and 29 inches, making it one of the most versatile trainers on the market today. Something else that makes this thing quite versatile is that the foot pads are adjustable to increase its stability on practically any surface.
The next thing that you will definitely be able to appreciate about the Kinetic Road Machine Bike Trainer is that it comes with patented Kinetic fluid resistance. This means that you can accurately increase or decrease the resistance of your ride as you wish. It replicates the experience of biking outdoors very well, right down to the resistance.
It is also really neat because the resistance will not fade over time, plus it provides you with a really smooth and quiet ride too. The resistance is technically not adjustable, but it works by providing more and more resistance the harder and faster you pedal.
Something else that is really cool is that this item is inRide compatible, which means that you can accurately track your progress using a smartphone.
Value for money
While this item is fairly expensive, coming in at close to 400 dollars, it is definitely worth every last single penny that you spend on it. It is an extremely durable piece of equipment that is stable and doesn’t wobble, it features a patented fluid resistance system, and it definitely provides you with the value that you expect for the price that you are paying.
Build quality
There is really nothing bad that we can say about the build quality of this particular bike trainer. This thing is made out of the best quality metal, rubber, and plastic that the makers could get their hands on. Combine the solid build with a large number of really neat features, and you have a quality item no doubt.
Pros
- Very stable
- Adjustable footpads
- Fluid resistance system
- Fits a large variety of bikes
- High-quality build
- Leak proof
- inRide compatible
Cons
- Quite expensive
Our Rating
This is an extremely high-quality bike trainer that any professional cyclist would be more than proud to use. It is a very durable piece of exercise equipment that lets you cycle indoor with ease, not to mention that it has a number of great features that make this thing stand out from the rest of the pack.
Design
Perhaps the best part about the design of this particular indoor cycle trainer is that it is built with 100 percent recycled materials. This may not have much to do with the quality of the bike trainer, but it certainly does help to contribute to a healthier planet.
There is also the fact that this thing is built with solid metals such as 2 inch 16 gauge steel and other high-grade materials which are sure to stay in one piece and be able to withstand a whole lot of punishment, not to mention that all of the materials are sure to never rust. This thing is also pretty neat because it can fold for easy storage.
Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that the CycleOps Indoor Trainer is made in the U.S.A and it even comes with a lifetime warranty as well. Another great part about this thing is that it features a steel quick release lever that is bolt action, plus it also has a precision balanced flywheel so you can customize each ride. This means that you can literally shift gears just like you would outdoors in order to change the difficulty of your ride. This item also has adjustable foot pads to provide for a stable ride on virtually any surface.
We also like the fact that this bike trainer has a machine made precision alloy roller to reduce tire wear, plus it also has a clutch knob to provide exceptional roller to tire tension. It is also really neat that this bike trainer can fit a large variety of bikes including 650b, 700c, 26-inch, 27-inch, and 29-inch wheels, making it a very versatile item indeed.
Value for money
While this bike trainer may not be the cheapest item on the market, the high-quality build and the great number of features it has definitely make the buy worthwhile. This thing comes in at around 300 dollars, but the awesome build and superb function make it more than worth the price.
Build quality
When it comes to the build quality of this particular bike trainer, there is nothing bad to be said. It is made out of solid 16 gauge steel to make it one of the most durable pieces of equipment we have ever seen. Being able to fold, having precision manufactured rollers, and a few other things all make this a quality item no doubt.
Pros
- Precision balanced flywheel
- Alloy roller to reduce tire wear
- Clutch knob for perfect tension
- Fits many different tire sizes
- Solid steel build
- Folds for easy storage
- Made out of non-recyclable materials
- Rust proof
- Adjustable foot pads for stability
Cons
- Fairly loud
- Takes some time to assemble
Our Rating
This is definitely a professional grade bike trainer that will have you sweating your butt off for sure. This thing fits a wide variety of bicycle sizes, it is sturdy, durable, and fairly easy to use as well. If you are looking for a decent bike trainer, this is definitely an option to consider.
Design
One of the things that we really like about this particular model of bike trainer is that it has a rim drive system which reduces noise and the wear on your tires. With this rim drive system, you can still hear the TV in the background, plus you won’t have to replace expensive tires all of the time.
Another thing that is awesome about the Minoura Bike Trainer is that it is more than suitable for both mountain bikes and road bikes, plus it can fit tires up to 2.5 inches in width and 29 inches in diameter. Both of these factors make this bike trainer an extremely versatile option to go with. There is also the fact that the front legs have an adjustable base to make it as stable as possible on pretty much any surface.
Something else which we really like about the Minoura Bike Trainer is that it features a very lightweight frame. The lightweight nature of it makes it really easy to transport from one spot to another, but even though it is light, it is also very strong and definitely won’t buckle under your weight and the stress that you can put on it. This thing also has a resistance system that provides increased amounts of push back the faster you pedal.
Value for money
For under 300 dollars you definitely get great value for the money that you are spending. This thing has an excellent resistance system, it has a durable frame, it has a rim drive system, and it is an extremely versatile option to go with.
Build quality
When it comes to the build quality of the Minoura Bike Trainer there is really nothing to complain about. The frame is built out of solid metal and the adjustable feet provide for a stable base. There is also the fact that this item has an advanced resistance system, it folds for easy storage, the rim drive system provides for a very quiet and smooth ride, plus it can fit a very wide variety of bicycles.
Pros
- Rim drive system for smoothness and quietness
- Adjustable feet for stability
- Very rugged frame
- Provides different levels of resistance
- Very versatile – fits most bikes
- Folds for portability
- Minimal tire wear
Cons
- Needs to be oiled to prevent squeaking
Our Rating
Yet another fantastic option in terms of bike trainers is without a doubt the Travel Trac Fluid Bicycle Trainer. It comes with all of the features and equipment that you need in order to enjoy a smooth and peaceful indoor cycling session.
Design
Something that we really like about the design of this bike trainer is that it has a very wide base to provide for stability. You definitely don’t want to wobble as you cycle indoors and this trainer helps take care of that problem with ease. Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that this thing is made out of high-quality materials, mainly the high-grade metal frame.
Another thing that you will definitely be able to appreciate about the Travel Trac Bicycle Trainer is that it does not require any assembly so you don’t have to waste your valuable time putting it together. The fact that this thing can fold in half is another bonus because it provides for ultimate portability and for easy storage too.
Yet another great feature of this bike trainer is that it uses fluid resistance to provide a road like cycling feel. The fluid system works to provide you with progressive resistance without actually having to make any adjustments. The harder and faster you pedal the more resistance this bike trainer will give you.
It is a great way to get an indoor ride while also perfectly replicating the feel of cycling outdoors. Even better is how the external flywheel makes exercising with this thing smooth and more than efficient. This thing also has a rear quick release skewer to help your bike fit on it properly. Something else that is neat about this model is that it fits virtually any and all road bikes and mountain bikes.
Value for money
This particular bike trainer definitely provides you some good value for the money you are spending. This thing costs somewhere around 150 dollars, which is not very expensive when you consider the fact that this thing is fairly durable, it folds for easy storage and transportation, plus it is quite stable as well.
Build quality
There is really nothing bad to say about the build quality of the Travel Trac Bicycle Trainer. It is made with a solid metal frame, it is stable to prevent wobbling, and the fluid resistance system definitely provides you with enough tension to give you a hardcore workout experience.
Pros
- Fluid resistance system
- Provides progressive resistance
- Very stable
- Fits virtually any bicycle
- Folds in half for easy storage and portability
- Quick release rear skewers
- Come pre-assembled
Cons
- Noisy
Our Rating
When it comes to bike trainers, this model by Conquer is definitely a good place to start. It is a heavy-duty piece of equipment that has several features which definitely make it a quality find.
Design
One of the things that everyone will definitely be able to appreciate about this particular bike trainer is that it has a heavy-duty construction. It is made out of solid metal to ensure that it won’t bend or break and so it will be able to withstand even the most strenuous cycling routines.
Another great part about this bike trainer is that it folds in half. Being able to fold in half makes it very compact, making it ideal for storing in small spaces. Even better is the fact that it is relatively lightweight which makes it fairly portable too.
Something else that is definitely a bonus when it comes to this bike trainer is the fact that it comes with a very sturdy mounting system and great mounting cups, both things which go a long way in reducing slippage.
Furthermore, the Conquer Indoor Bike Trainer features single adjustment progressive magnetic resistance so you can easily increase the difficulty at which you cycle. After all, a big point of cycling is to train your muscles and your cardiovascular system, therefore being able to increase the resistance at which you work out at is an obvious necessity.
Finally, this thing is compatible with 26 and 27-inch wheel bikes as well as 700c bicycles. What we also really like is that this model comes with a front wheel riser included.
Value for money
You definitely cannot argue with the value that you get for the price that you are paying. This thing costs just around 60 dollars and thanks to the solid build, no-slip feature, magnetic resistance, and the front wheel riser block that comes included, it is definitely well worth the money that you are spending.
Build quality
The build quality of the Conquer Indoor Bike Trainer is superb. The fact that it is made out of solid metal for the most part makes it a quality find no doubt. Plus there is the fact that it folds in half for portability, plus it features a great resistance system, both things which only serve to add to the quality.
Pros
- Solid metal frame
- Front wheel riser included
- Magnetic resistance system
- Folds for compact storage and portability
- Compatible with a wide number of bikes
- Secure mounting system
Cons
- Harshly treaded tires make a lot of noise
- Slightly difficult to calibrate
Conclusion
In order for you to be able to use your bicycle inside and bike on the spot in front of your flat screen TV, you need a bike trainer. However, like we said, you don’t want some cheap hunk of garbage, you want the best bike trainer possible. These things are some really nifty tools that let you reap all of the benefits of cycling without having to go outside. We would obviously recommend one of the above options, but as long as you keep in mind the various factors to look out for when buying one of these things, you should be fine either way.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about using a bike trainer, feel free to let us know in the comment section and we will get back to you in no time at all!
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