Blackburn Defender magnetic trainer

Price Paid:  $179.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
Deer Creek

Bike Setup:
Merlin Agilis with Dura Ace and Velomax Wheels.

Summary:
I spent a long miserable winter using this trainer and can't wait to get rid of it. The tension knob broke within about one month of buying it I used some epoxy to override the "autostop" mechanism, but this lasted only for about two months. The longer and harder you ride this thing, the more it makes all sorts of horrible noises. In addition, I'm forced to place a small book under the left side of the trainer to make the bicycle riding position level. In the engineering world, I think this trainer would be termed a "P.O.S.".

Strengths:
Could be used as a pretty good boat anchor

Weaknesses:
Quality, construction, design, price... need I say more.

Similar Products Used:
Kreitler rollers

Price Paid:  $180.00 at On-Line

Bike Setup:
2002 Trek 5900n

Summary:
I purchased this product 1.5 years ago. The first unit was worked fine for about 2 days. After that when I trained on it it sounded like a semi-truck running on one piston. I sent it back and it again worked for about 4 days and the same problem. I makes so much noise that you can't even think. I did not want to keep paying for shipping cost to send it back so I dealt with the noise. I don't use it any more.Ä

Strengths:
None

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Weaknesses:
Every thing. Don't ever buy one of these. Not worth $1.

Price Paid:  $200.00 at EDWARDSVILLE CYCLERY

Favorite Ride:
ANY ROAD

Bike Setup:
TREK 2300 DOUBLE RING ALL ULTEGRA GUTS

Summary:
I HAVE RIDDEN THIS MAG TRAINER FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AND THE RESISTANCE UNIT IS FALLING APART I HAVE TRIED TO FIX MYSELF AND HAVE GOT IT TO WORK COUPLE OF TIMES BUT NOW HAS FALLEN APART AGAIN, THE PROBLEM IS THE SEALED MAG SECTION IS RUBBING THRU THE PIECE THAT IS TO KEEP THE UNIT ON THE SETTING YOU HAVE IT ON AND ONCE THIS BREAKS THRU YOU ARE DOWN TO THE MINIMUM SETTING WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE.

Strengths:
GOOD STABILITY- I AM 6'6" AND 255LBS

Weaknesses:
SEALED UNIT

Similar Products Used:
NONE

Price Paid:  $189.00 at CC

Summary:
Avoid this trainer! The auto-stop mechanism is faulty and if you're
careful, you might fiind your bike locked in without release. I went
to the Cycle-Ops Fluid2.

Strengths:
Price, maybe.

Weaknesses:
Auto-Stop, maybe

Similar Products Used:
Cycle-Ops Fluid2