Price Paid:  $155.00

Summary:
Perhaps a little difficult to assemble and set up initially due to some interesting diagrams and pictures, 20 minutes probably. Quality and finish are very good. Large flywheel provides a very realistic feel. This trainer can simulate very high resistance and is an excellent choice for those wanted to train at high wattage output. That being said I have found the entire range to be quite usable and provides the ability to do anything from long slow endurance training to high intensity intervals with the resistance dialed up. I noticed other reviews found this trainer to be "noisy". I would call it whisper quiet but put down a piece of carpet and turn up the volum a bit and you're good to go

Strengths:
Smooth, realistic road feel for an indoor trainer. Relatively quiet, don't think that an indoor trainer can truely be considered quiet, you will need to turn up the TV volume. Very good value for the money.

Weaknesses:
Resitance control unit which mounts on the handlebars is difficult to place so that it's out of the way. I put mine on the drops which works since I'm not in that position often indoors

Similar Products Used:
Computrainer but not really a fair comparison...Apples to oranges.

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Cyclepath

Favorite Ride:
stouffville

Summary:
The thing is sturdy, and gives enough resistance for a nice solid workout indoors. However...

Strengths:
--

Weaknesses:
...it's SO loud. I swear. Once you switch into a harder gear, look out, it sounds as if you're aboot to take off on an aeroplane runway. plus, setting the bike up on the trainer is hard, because one of the levers is perpetually stuck (the one with the white handle, which the product claims that helps ease bike set up - questionable claim!). i doubt i'll ever lug that thing to a warm-up before a race; by the time you fit your bike into the trainer, it'll be time for the race.

Price Paid:  $169.00 at lickbike.com

Favorite Ride:
Finger Lakes

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Criterium 6 spd. axle (trainer)
Lemond Chambery (road)

Summary:
This is a promised follow-up to my review shortly after I bought the Tacx Swing Trainer in early 2004. With the exception of a few minor glitches, it continues to be a fine trainer. Small complaints: the little nut that holds the resistance controller onto my handlebars falls out easily. I lost it (weird sized nut) so I can't adjust resistance easily during a session. Also, the foot pads aren't totally flat and have no adjustment so I have to put a piece of cardboard under one of them. However, the smoothness and range of resistance on this unit is awesome. It is also very sturdy and sets up quickly. The bearing heat issue I discussed earlier has not developed into a problem. Enjoy the coming winter, folks!!! Get a hold of the 2004 Tour DVD, load up the bottles and hammer!!!! Unless you are positive about the superior quality of another trainer, I wouldn't hesitate to use the Tacx (but it's not perfect).

Strengths:
Sturdy, wide resistance range, smooth and quiet (USPS uses TACX trainers immediately before races)

Weaknesses:
Heavy, small glitches (see above)

Similar Products Used:
Minoura Mag Trainer, Rollers

Price Paid:  $169.00 at Lickbike.com

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Crit Bike (for trainer)
Lemond Chambery (for road)

Summary:
After reading great online reviews and hearing good things about this trainer from a few University of Rochester Cycling Teammates, I plunked my hard-earned money down for the Tacx 1460 Swing Trainer. After 5 weeks and about 25 hours riding, I am VERY SATISFIED with my decision! This magnetic system sets up easily in about 10 minutes, despite cryptic instructions and diagrams (don't forget to grease all your threads). Previous online criticisms of this trainer proved untrue for me: the old 6-speed axle on my winter roadbike DID fit into the unit (though barely), the resistance is by no means too easy (and I'm a pretty powerful rider), and, while not silent, I did not find the unit 'noisy.' The quality Dutch engineering and manufacturing is evident right out of the box as the solid unit exudes a beautiful simplicity in its controls and lines. While the mag unit heats up a bit more than my old Minoura ever did and I wish there were smaller steps between resistance levels (not a problem if you adust the bike gearing), the Tacx 1460 is smooth and solid. A small yet massive flywheel makes for slight wheel slippage upon starting and when accelerating severely, but also accounts for a smooth and very road-like feel. I highly recommend this trainer. I'll follow up after a few more months

Strengths:
Solid quality construction
Easy, common-sense assembly (though instructions are cryptic)
SMOOTH and quiet
PLENTY of resistance and a cable resistance adjuster
Fun to ride!

Weaknesses:
Folding mechanism doesn't lock closed making it difficult to carry
Heavy (but solid)
Gets somewhat hot (not a problem so long as Tacx's bearing grease doesn't break down)

Similar Products Used:
Minoura Mag Turbo
Rollers

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Any One

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200 and two Trek Y-Foils

Summary:
I tried to use this trainer with my wifes (650 wheels), a 70s road bike I converted to a tri-bike, and my road bike (700 wheels), but gave up and only set it up for one bike for the off-season since 1) you had to take the whole thing apart for the 650-to-700 change, and 2) the unit doesn't accommodate the narrower axle on older bikes. I wish the unit could switch among all three, since it was a very good trainer that has a nicely designed control panel that allows you to easily adjust hill grades or watts.

Strengths:
Good road feel. Well designed control panel. Allows you to train with watts.

Weaknesses:
Very difficult set-up. Need to disassemble and re-assemble for different wheel sizes. No adjustability for narrower rear axles of older bikes.

Similar Products Used:
None