Help Choose A Trainer For My Sis

[Burnette]

I gave my mountain bike to my sister about a year ago. I've been riding on the road manly since '06 so it wasn't getting much use and I was hoping to get her hooked on cycling so she would eventually ride with me on the road or it would give me an excuse to buy another mountain bike to ride with her!

Anyways, like many her time is limited and she wants to be able use the mountain bike in her sunroom for exercise as well as take the bike through the neighborhood.

I've used rollers since forever and love them but know that they wouldn't be appropriate for her needs. Her budget is about $300 and the sales are on right now. I know some of you are more familiar with these stationary trainers than I. What would you suggest for a casual rider with a mountain bike looking to use one two or three rimes a week for $300?

Here is a link to Performance Bike but if you have a better option, please post it here and I will check it out. Any insight will be appreciated.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...ce:&pageSize:&

[kramnnim]

She will have to use a smooth tire instead of the knobby mtb tire...

Have you heard of Zwift? Think she would enjoy it? If yes, I'd say to get a smart trainer if possible. If not...grab a used Kurt Kinetic

[Peter P.]

Originally Posted by kramnnim

She will have to use a smooth tire instead of the knobby mtb tire...

Exactly.

I'd check craigslist for an inexpensive mag trainer. I've found the Blackburn mag trainers to be 90% of my Kurt Kinetic's performance at much less than 1/2 the price. Cyclops is another good brand. People are always unloading them when they find out they don't have the mental fortitude to ride a trainer.

I count 21 trainers for sale on my local craigslist, with the Blackburns going for $80 +/- $10.

[ctcyclistbob]

Here is a reasonably priced trainer, IMO, with free shipping:
https://www.westernbikeworks.com/pro...indoor-trainer

They also have a Mag version for $130, also w/free shipping.

I don't own a CycleOps trainer but I've always had the impression they're quality units.

[Burnette]

Originally Posted by kramnnim

She will have to use a smooth tire instead of the knobby mtb tire...
Have you heard of Zwift? Think she would enjoy it? If yes, I'd say to get a smart trainer if possible. If not...grab a used Kurt Kinetic

Roger that, I'll buy her another set of tires. She rides neighborhood only now so I can get smooth tires and we can keep knobbies for later.

I'll look up Kirk Kinetic.

And Zwift looks more my speed, I drifted window shopping for me a bit there, Ha!

[Burnette]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

Exactly.

I'd check craigslist for an inexpensive mag trainer. I've found the Blackburn mag trainers to be 90% of my Kurt Kinetic's performance at much less than 1/2 the price. Cyclops is another good brand. People are always unloading them when they find out they don't have the mental fortitude to ride a trainer.

I count 21 trainers for sale on my local craigslist, with the Blackburns going for $80 +/- $10.

I checked some Blackburns out and at the stage she is, that might be a good place to look. Really low prices there too! If she gets more into it she can always upgrade, this might be the ticket for now.

[Burnette]

Originally Posted by ctcyclistbob

Here is a reasonably priced trainer, IMO, with free shipping:
https://www.westernbikeworks.com/pro...indoor-trainer

They also have a Mag version for $130, also w/free shipping.

I don't own a CycleOps trainer but I've always had the impression they're quality units.

Thanks for the links, checking them out now. Cyclops is pretty sweet!I appreciate all of the replies folks. I knew I was probably off base and after reviewing what was posted here, I was. You all have saved my sis some money and narrowed my searching.

[kramnnim]

If noise is an issue, a fluid trainer will be quieter than mag.

[false_Aest]

Where is she located -- I have one I'd give away if she's close to it.

[Burnette]

Originally Posted by kramnnim

If noise is an issue, a fluid trainer will be quieter than mag.

Really? A good point that I will pass on, it may make a difference to her.