-- Back to Bike Trainers Part 1

-Magnetic ($$)

If you want to turn up the screws a little more on the trainer, look for the magnetic version. Using powerful earth magnets, these trainers offer a tad more resistance than wind trainers, have less sound production, and don't really kill the bank. Depending on the company and model you choose, magnetic trainers can have specific resistance settings or even a shifter that allows you to change the amount while you ride. Without a progressive level of resistance, you have the ability to cheat when you train on these types of trainers.

-Fluid ($$$)

Fluid trainers offer the best road feel for the price. Do not expect to spend less than $250 on one of these bad boys, but you will realize how much the investment is worth once it starts to snow, sleet, or rain outside. Fluid trainers are based on the principle of fluid viscocity. As you pedal, the fluid heats up and creates a resistance curve. So, the more you spin the little drum on the trainer, the more the resistance increases. CycleOps Fluid2 trainers have a power curve that tops out around 750 watts of power. Kinetic has a trainer that tops out at 2500 watts. Trust me, you will not top out these trainers. If you have that much power (over 750 watts), then you should be professional or in a physiology lab at some major medical institution. These trainers make little sound. Your bike's gearing will make more sound than the trainer.

I have used the CycleOps Fluid2 trainer for nearly three years. I would recommend this bike trainer for anyone. If you are a recreational cyclist, this is the trainer that you will never need to upgrade or change. If you a professional, you don't need to worry about the trainer not meeting your wattage requirements. To add to this, the warranty is wonderful. The customer service at CycleOps is one, if not, the best in the business.

-Electronic ($$$$$)

If you find a huge wad of cash under the couch or your significant other allows you to make a $1000 to $2000 purchase for a trainer, consider yourself blessed. These trainers employ good ole electicity to create a power curve. If you are looking for an electronic trainer look at the CompuTrainers. Many triathlets have found that Computrainers allow great flexibility to course choice and profiles. You can really turn up the wattage on these trainers as well. I have personally used a Computrainer for many months at a local triathlete training facility in Orem, Utah called Elevate. Computrainers provide wattage, speed, cadence, heart rate, and a whole lot of other figures that allow you to truly see how you are training. If you are training indoors, I would look no further than the Computrainers. These trainers can also be daisy chained together to provide up to an eight person training session. The computer and trainer also mimic drafting. When you race with other riders, you can feel your trainer ease up on the resistance when your on-screen character is just behind another rider. It is an experience to be had.