Minoura Interim Trainer

Price Paid:  $219.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
Boulder Creek, Bear Creek

Bike Setup:
A snap!

Summary:
I bought an E-RDA-PM "PowerMatic" rim-drive trainer - WOW! I love it! Everything I expected and more - easy to set up (assemble and swap out the spindle), just the right resistance. I don't know what serious riders would say, but if you're a casual rider and want to spend some time on your bike indoors, this is perfect!

Strengths:
Easy to set up

Weaknesses:
Where's the handlebar videoplayer mount and holder for my iPod? :)

Price Paid:  $270.00 at Rebel Sports

Summary:
Have to agree with an earlier review on this trainer - slippage on road rims WAS a problem. After placing washers behind the spring (about 6mm of washers) as in another review (great advice, thanks dude) i have found slippage to be a non-issue. Also now when i put the trainer into max setting, and use a big chain ring, the workload is not to be sneezed at. If your unhappy with the load, try the wahsers, as you may be slipping more than you think. Not an issue on MTB, only on roady. Re some previous reviews stating less resistance from MTB rims due to smaller radius - not true. if u do the math, MTB would get close to 95% the resistance of roady (26inch compared to 27inch)

Strengths:
easy to set up, even for different bikes. good workout, quiet, beats melbourne weather many a day. saves $$ and time on tyre replacement compared to rollers

Weaknesses:
need to modify spring load to get good grip on rim

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $350.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Giant frame, all the carbon fibre bits with Mavic Ksyrium wheels

Summary:
I don't know why everyone is crying like old women about the resistance on this thing. I race "a" grade and i find it has heaps. I guess the smaller wheel of a mountain bike would lower resistance. But the only problem i had was stopping the slippage on my rim. All i did to fix this was get a few (5) small washers and cut a slot in them then slipped them in behind the main tension spring that pushes the little wheel onto the rim. This increased the pressure enough so i get no slip and a great ride, even sprinting and standing hard on the pedals at any resistance level.
I would like to see anyone ride for an hour or so on max resistance in the big ring. Dont tell me there is not enough resistance. But i will admit before i tightend up the spring with the washers it did slip a fair bit.

Strengths:
SMOOTH, QUIET, GREAT WORKOUT

Weaknesses:
Not enough spring tension for the thin raod wheels, but can fixed simply

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $139.00 at Ebay on-line store

Summary:
Smooth and quiet. Huge improvement in stability and feel over my old Minoura magnetic trainer. With this newest model, the front legs are spread further apart for better stability and the heavier magnet makes for a smoother ride especially when quickly accellerating.

Strengths:
Rim drive. Don't have to worry about flattening out your expensive race wheels.

Weaknesses:
Could possibly be designed better to easily adjust the rollers to accomodate different wheel sizes.

Similar Products Used:
Minoura turbo trainer.

Price Paid:  $179.00 at Don's Cycle

Favorite Ride:
Riverbed

Bike Setup:
I just have an old Motive moutain bike.

Summary:
This is my first trainer. It was quick and easy to set up. It is sturdy but very low resistance. It make noise the first day because the metal plate between the magnet was hitting. I had to open it apart and fix it. If you want resistance, this wouldn't be the product. I am not a stronge ride and this is too easy.

Strengths:
Sturdy, easy to set up.

Weaknesses:
Very low resistance, no reply for warranty part department. Not to much infomation on their site.

Similar Products Used:
none