How to Buy a Bike Indoor Trainer

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(45 Ratings)

You can get a great workout indoors in only 20 minutes with an indoor trainer, which uses the bike you already own, is relatively inexpensive and stores easily when not in use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Indoor Bike Trainers
Plastic Blocks For Indoor Bike Trainer
Rollers For Indoor Bike Trainer
Slick Tires For Mountain Bike
Sweat Guards For Bike Seat

Step 1

Determine your price range. Indoor trainers can cost as little as $70 and as much as $400.
Step 2

Decide what kind of resistance you want - fan, magnet or fluid. Fan trainers tend to be cheaper but noisier. Magnet trainers are quiet, smooth and often reasonably priced. Fluid trainers, although more expensive, provide lifelike resistance and produce less heat buildup on your tires.
Step 3

Consider the construction. The more expensive trainers tend to be heavier and provide greater stability.
Step 4

Select a folding model. Avoid larger trainers, which require you to remove the front wheel.
Step 5

Consider rollers if you have a road bike. These tend to be more expensive and require that you learn how to balance on three spinning drums, but they will improve your bike-handling skills, and they aren't boring!
Step 6

Purchase small plastic blocks, which are often sold separately, to prop up the front wheel. To save some money, use a phone book instead.

Comments

77maggie said

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on 3/4/2009 After my first year with a trainer, I needed to replace my cables. My sweat actually corroded the cables after one winter season. Buy a sweat guard.