How to Convert Your Outdoor Bike Into an Indoor Stationary Bike

Riding outdoors provides excellent scenery and makes a cycling workout fly by. However, sometimes the weather conditions won't cooperate with your desire to get out for a ride. Whether it's too hot, too cold or a sudden rainstorm arrives, having the option of cycling inside is a must for any cyclist. With certain training devices, you can use your outdoor bike for your indoor cycling workout.

Simple Trainers

The basic and least-expensive trainer is known as the wind trainer. As with any indoor trainer, the bike is mounted on the trainer via a skewer mechanism that inserts through your rear hub. With the wind trainer, your rear wheel rests on the flywheel of the trainer as a bladed unit creates wind resistance on the back wheel. The drawback of this type of trainer is the noise created by the resistance unit and the small range of resistance it can provide. Wind trainers make a good choice for those on a budget.

Resistance Trainers

During an outdoor ride, you'll experience resistance from wind, terrain and pushing your body through air. To get a similar level of resistance indoors, opt for a resistance trainer. Resistance trainers come in two forms: magnetic and fluid. The resistance units on magnetic trainers provide a good and quiet workout, but serious cyclists will find that they don't match the air resistance found during outdoor conditions. Fluid trainers are the most expensive trainers but provide the most realistic and quietest indoor cycling workout. A thermodynamically neutral fluid such as silicone maintains its viscosity regardless of the heat caused by friction. In a fluid trainer, this property creates consistent resistance during your indoor ride.

Rollers

For an indoor cycling workout with a simple setup, consider rollers -- two rear rollers and a front roller that is connected to the rearmost roller by a band. The most difficult part of using rollers is getting used to riding on them. Unlike trainers, there is nothing holding your bike in position, and you must learn to balance and stay centered on the rollers as you ride. Since sloppy form and pedaling means a rocky ride, rollers are an excellent way to practice your form and learn to pedal smoothly. Changing gears on your bike alters resistance, but a limited range of gears provides a smoother ride. The distraction of trying to stay upright on rollers helps distract from the tedium of an indoor workout.

Accessories

When cycling indoors, you won't have the wind to dry your sweaty brow, and you end up dripping on your frame. Unless you wipe down your bike after every indoor training session, the salt from your sweat will corrode your paint job. An accessory called a sweat net extends from your handlebars to your seat post to protect your frame. For those using trainers, resting your front wheel in a block will stabilize your bike. To ease the boredom of any indoor workout, have music or a television handy. Bike shops and online retailers carry a number of cycling workout videos and even scenic videos so you can pretend you're riding outdoors.