Riding your bike on a trainer is much better than bruised hips and frost-bite. In an ideal world all our rides
would be on perfect roads or singletrack but this is Canada. If high taxes and a little crappy weather is as bad
as it gets then we're all extremely lucky to live here.
Fight Boredom - get a plan, a partner, a goal, a group - or all the above!
Riding indoors can be painfully boring - as are many tasks when they're done without purpose, meaning or friends. Do some
searches online and you'll soon find more different routines than you could ever do. This is a big help.
while you're riding, think about posture and your pedaling. The offseason is a great time to work on pulling a tad more power
out of your body through smoother, more efficient pedaling and posiiton.
As you're pedalling remember to keep the elbows loose, not locked. Think about your back and shoulders. Shoulders should not be
tense and pulled up next to your head.
Look down at your legs. Your knees should run like pistons - no flopping out or in and kept the same distance apart throughout the
pedal revolution (spaced directly above the feet). Think about your feet. You don't want to feel a bunch of pressure over your pedal
on the down-stroke. As Phil Liggett says, you should be dancing on your pedals - light feet.
What you need to get going
This is the simple part. You need a bike with either standard 26" mountain bike wheels, 27" (old school) road wheels or 700c road wheels.
In many cases a tire switch is smart - either to put a smooth tire on mountain bikes or either a trainer specific or cheap tire on road bikes.
If you're going to keep up with the indoor training, having a bike computer can be a real motivator and help you get the most from your training time.
You'll want a computer that senses speed off the rear wheel (your front wheel will be stationary) and cadence is an important feature too.
Beyond that, you'll want something to lift the front wheel to the proper height so your bike is level, perhaps a sweat-guard for your bike and
a towel or mat on the ground - you are going to sweat!... Oh, and don't forget your water bottle.
Trainers
So, time to keep in shape over the winter, rehab an injury, loose some flab or prepare to beat your buddies first ride of the season. Whatever
the motivation, riding a trainer in the winter is a somewhat cruel reality for any cyclist who cares about their health and fitness.
We have done the research so you don't have to. We have a selection of trainers from two brands we believe offer a good product at a good price, so you can pick the perfect one for what you need.
You'll see a number of different companies making trainers. There is some fancy talk from some companies that really doesn't mean much so your easiest option is just keep reading.
Minoura
These guys hold the original patent on magnetic resistance trainers and they remain the leaders in this category. Their products tend to be the quietest, most reliable, broadest power range.
They use higher quality magnets than many companies - making Minoura trainers last longer.
Kurt-Kinetic
While Cyclops can take claim to inventing the fluid trainer, it seems Kurt-Kinetic are the "go to" guys now.
Minoura B60D ($189.50)
700g fly-wheel
3 levels on dial (on trainer)
very quiet and stable
250W output at 40km/h
Good basic trainer for, "sit and spin" type workouts
Minoura B60R ($219.50)
700g fly-wheel
7 levels on handlebar remote
very quiet and stable
250W output at 40km/h
Good basic trainer for, "sit and spin" type workouts
Minoura Gyro V130 ($299.50)
1100g fly-wheel (virtual "gyro" effect 1500g)
handlebar remote
Neobymium magnet
Compatible with Watt-Master computer
450Watt resistance at 40km/hr
Quiet, reliable, incredible price for powerful rider who may want to train with Power
Minoura Gyro V270 ($439.50)
2000g fly-wheel (virtual "gyro" effect 2700g)
handlebar remote
Neobymium magnet
Compatible with Watt-Master computer
450Watt resistance at 40km/hr
for serious road riders - able to get lots of resistance at low RPM - and train with Power
Kurt-Kinetic Road Machine ($439.50)
2800g fly-wheel
Fluid - no gear adjustments
Kurt Leak proof guarantee
Compatible with Kurt power computer
smooth quiet resistence up to 3000W
If your heart is set on Fluid and you want the chance to use a Power computer
Kurt-Kinetic Road Machine ($499.50)
2800g fly-wheel
Fluid - no gear adjustments
Kurt Leak proof guarantee
Compatible with Kurt power computer
smooth quiet resistence up to 3000W
If your heart is set on Fluid and you want the chance to use a Power computer
Rollers
Your best defence against boredom is rollers. It is also your best chance of putting a hole
in your drywall, so not to be taken lightly. Seriously though, rollers have a place - mostly with very keen
riders who want to develop better, smoother pedalling technique. An additional benefit of rollers is
that a whole bunch of those little muscle groups, particularly in your core get a work out because of the balance
required. Additional benefits - you'll get better at "holding your line" which will benefit you when riding in a
pack on the road (if you are known as a squirly rider, this will help and prevent you from getting the slap in the
back of the helmet as frustrated riders go by).
Minoura Action Roller Advance Wide ($249.50)
80mm rollers
adjustable to work on almost all bikes
helmet not included
Trainer Accessories
We have a package deal for you: The Chopping block, G-Thang and trainer mat for $89.50 with purchase of a trainer
Chopping Block: Price $14.50 This holds your front wheel stable and at the right height.
The G-Thang: Price $19.50 This stops sweat from dripping on the floor and on your frame - easily washable terry cloth
Trainer Mat: Price $69.50 This protects the floor, stops your bike from budging when you're givin' 'er and helps kill
the noise from going through the floor
What do you need to ride indoors?
1. Bicycle
2. Trainer
3. Smooth Rear Tire
4. Front wheel block
5. Time set aside
6. Program to follow
Extras
1. Computer - power, speed, cadence, heart rate
2. Towel
3. Water Bottle
4. TV or Music
5. Mirror
6. Floor Mat
7. Quality Cycling Shorts!!!
8. Fan
