bike for a trainer

[pnsathyan]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

I picked up an older Trek aluminum frame on CL for $75 and built it up with spare parts.

I'd lean towards aluminum over steel, but since this is a sacrificial bike, that's not critical. What *is* important is that you will be able to essentially replicate your fitting on this bike. You may need to tweak stem length, etc. I even replicated my standard road seat on my trainer bike...

So...if you need to start replacing parts (stem, seat, crankset, handlebars), it may be more economical to start with a bare frame...depends on the CL and FB market in your area.

Thank you for the advice. Makes sense and will look around for some frames on CL.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by ridethecliche

The above has been my long winded way of saying that you really should be sure that your trainer bike doesn't feel better outdoors than the bike you allegedly built for that purpose!

So true. I had built up a Trek trainer rat for the trainer, then decided to downsize/simplify and decontented the Trek. Put my unloved Lightspeed Blue Ridge on the trainer.

Then I said wait a minute...lets take that Lightspeed out for a gravel ride. It hadn't seen road or dirt in years, maybe since D2R2 12+ years ago. Put new, fatter tires on it....

Now I can't figure out why I haven't been riding it all this time...

Trek is back on the trainer. *That* one will never see outdoor use with me.

[rccardr]

Picked up an 87 Centurion Ironman F/F/HS for $100 shipped and am swapping over the components from the Tempo to use it as a trainer bike. Paint has typical bubbles around the top tube cable guides so I won't feel badly about dripping my noxious perspiration on it. DT shifting, of course, 9 double. On the TACX Neo 2T, should be a fine combo.

Which also frees up the Tempo frame for a much needed repaint. Those Tenax frames are cheap and the paint sucks, but boy do they make a great riding bike...

[pnsathyan]

Where did you end up finding it ? local CL seems to have bloated prices.

Originally Posted by rccardr

Picked up an 87 Centurion Ironman F/F/HS for $100 shipped and am swapping over the components from the Tempo to use it as a trainer bike. Paint has typical bubbles around the top tube cable guides so I won't feel badly about dripping my noxious perspiration on it. DT shifting, of course, 9 double. On the TACX Neo 2T, should be a fine combo.

Which also frees up the Tempo frame for a much needed repaint. Those Tenax frames are cheap and the paint sucks, but boy do they make a great riding bike...

[ridethecliche]

Oh man... It just hit me.
Someone said they use a single speed on erg mode. Of course! The power is the same no matter how fast or slow you're pedaling so your cadence isn't really connected to your gearing at all.

Brilliant!

Originally Posted by pnsathyan

Where did you end up finding it ? local CL seems to have bloated prices.

Guessing it was a while ago. Any bike that works is going for a premium right now.

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by ridethecliche

Oh man... It just hit me.
Someone said they use a single speed on erg mode. Of course! The power is the same no matter how fast or slow you're pedaling so your cadence isn't really connected to your gearing at all.

I recently had this thought, but it wouldn't work with zwift.

[rccardr]

Originally Posted by pnsathyan

Where did you end up finding it ? local CL seems to have bloated prices.

Bike Forums. Lots of good deals over there on vintage stuff if you watch for it. They are cheap folks, but a nice bunch. Our local CL (DC area) is also overpriced right now.

Honestly, would have used the Tempo as is -it's set up with 9 speed Ultegra/Dura Ace- but appreciated the opportunity to use the Ironman as a substitute over the winter so the Tempo can get a respray.

[tuxbailey]

I am very happy that I didn't get rid of my old Jamis when I moved to a nicer bike. Right now it is mated with the Kickr and works well.

[azrider]

Love my trainer bike. Bought it for next to nuthin and slowly got it back to it's old glory.......rides like a dream on AND off the trainer..........but mostly on trainer

[pnsathyan]

Originally Posted by azrider

Love my trainer bike. Bought it for next to nuthin and slowly got it back to it's old glory.......rides like a dream on AND off the trainer..........but mostly on trainer

i would more tempted to take such a bike on the road than on the trainer

[pnsathyan]

Originally Posted by rccardr

Bike Forums. Lots of good deals over there on vintage stuff if you watch for it. They are cheap folks, but a nice bunch. Our local CL (DC area) is also overpriced right now.

Honestly, would have used the Tempo as is -it's set up with 9 speed Ultegra/Dura Ace- but appreciated the opportunity to use the Ironman as a substitute over the winter so the Tempo can get a respray.

Any thoughts on miyata 112 vs schwinn le tour vs raleigh rt 500 ?

All in fairly decent shape and given the circumstances acceptable pricing i guess.

[phishrabbi]

I'm using my old 1988 Cannondale 3.0 Black Lightning as a trainer bike.

I had my bike fit guy match the fit of my road bike, which helps.

[ridethecliche]

Originally Posted by pnsathyan

Any thoughts on miyata 112 vs schwinn le tour vs raleigh rt 500 ?

All in fairly decent shape and given the circumstances acceptable pricing i guess.

Whatever fits best if it's just for the trainer.