I did it…purchased an indoor trainer for my bicycle. My goal was to have that extra option to exercise and stay in shape as the weather turns wintery. I also want to maintain and increase if possible my cycling speed and capacity for riding next year.

The Trainer I purchased was a Kinetic Trainer, by Kurt and the model is the Road Machine. In looking through all the research and comparing the units in person I decided on this unit for three main reasons in no particular order.

1. The heavy weighted flywheel. In my experience using a Lemond Spinner in the gym,  the weighted flywheel helps smooth peddling out a bit and gives a good feel to peddling. If you pause effort slightly you get a coast effect like you would on the road.
2. Sealed unit, No drive seals to leak – I have read numerous stories of other brands having seals leak over time, in some cases not much. Understanding how many hours I would train, the heat and abuse the thing would likely take a sealed unit just seemed practical.
3. Value – The model i purchased was priced in line with competitors products but the unit seems more rugged, is easily stow-able and movable, has quick release, has a larger diameter contact shaft for the tire and overall seems less like a toy.

I unpacked the unit, it came mostly assembled. I installed the the resistance unit and tensioner in about 10 minutes without tools. Placing the bike in the unit is easy simply align it to the middle of the roller and tighten the clamps. a couple turns of the resistance unit and your ready to go. Very simple….once set if you want to take it out, simply turn resistance unit two turns and backoff of the holder and press the quick release. The quick release is great and makes going from street to living room and back again painless.

I went out a did an afternoon ride out side and when I returned home placed the bike in the trainer and did about 12 miles indoors. The feedback on the trainer is remarkably good. There is no resistance setting on the unit. You control effort via your gearing and speed. The faster you roll the unit the more the resistance increases. It seems weird but in practice it is really intuitive. Let me tell you it doesn’t take long to work up a great sweat and although i haven’t really had much time with the unit could see how intervals will be awesome. Reviews on the web explain it works for power tap equipment so if you have that gear you should get accurate results. I simply use sweat and high heart rate as my indicators and the unit makes a lot of both.

This is my first and only trainer and so far seems excellent. I don’t have anything to compare it with except for the Lemond Spinner at the gym, but the Lemond has a 45 pound flywheel, is single speed and has a horrible seat. My bike is much more comfortable and i seem to sweat just as good in either setting.

The Kinetic Road Machine is fairly quiet in operation at 14-18mpf kinda of a whir and at the 23-26 area is a bit more noticeable.  It does get louder as you go faster, but to me is quieter than a busy highway i have to ride along at times. I can watch TV without issue, but others in the room may consider it a bit bothersome especially for long periods.

I notice during my indoor rides I focus more on better pedaling technique and immediately see the difference in the feedback from speed and reduced effort. I can see how this can measurably improve my riding. Indoors since there is less to focus on you can really see feel the impact subtle changes in pedaling have. It is quite remarkable.

The trainer instructions recommend NOT using a dual compound tire. So if you have one it is your call. I am assuming the trainer generates a bit more friction than the road so probably see wear more readily.  I am using a dual compound Michelin Lithion now and it works fine for indoor / outdoor use,  but obviously if your on the trainer mostly, like in the winter, then it makes sense to get a cheap fatter slick. I didn’t notice any crazy slippage, obviously if i wanted to make it slip i could but it became non issue when i started riding.

At this point I would recommend the product. It is a trainer, it isn’t going to be as fun and enjoyable as the road, but the Trainer can do just what is says, train if you use it properly.

I will report back after i get many more hours on the unit, but right now it will be off an on until the real winter weather hits.