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Reviews 1 - 5 (41 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
mdbikerdr
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: December 15, 2010
Strengths: Heavy duty constructionWeaknesses: varying resistance over timeBottom Line: I bought a Blackburn Trainer despite all the negative reviews. After using it for a couple weeks and taking it apart multiple times, it has some design limitations but provides a good value for recreational use. As noted, the resistance will start to vary and this occurs after the resistance pad becomes glazed with several uses. My pad was not 100% flat so only a portion of the surface became glazed. This causes lighter resistance. Removing the glaze with emery cloth multiple times over the period of several weeks will leave you with a flat resistance pad that bears 100% on the mating plate. This takes time but in the end, the resistance becomes more consistent. Also, the axle should be greased but the bearings that push the metal surface against the resistance pad should not be lubricated at all. Once these things are done, the unit works consistently and reliably
Favorite Ride: Blackburn Ultra Trainer
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At: second hand
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
ball4759
a Road Racer
from Date Reviewed: December 10, 2010
Strengths: Reasonably quiet, low maintenance, stable platformWeaknesses: brake pad mechanism gets sticky after using for a couple months. doesn't hold new style skewer well.Bottom Line: I have had this trainer for 3 years, and the same thing happened to me that after about a year the resistance was all over the place. When it was cold it was like climbing at %20 grade then it would warm up and be okay. After being fed up, and against my better judgment I sprayed a little WD-40 onto the brake pad and the problem was solved. I am not suggesting you do it just letting you know it worked for me.
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At: Don't Remember
Similar Products Used: none
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
interactive3
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: March 13, 2010
Strengths: Now you can get them for $180. Quiet. Once greased the performance is excellent and the spin down is progressive.Weaknesses: Probably needs the axle to be greased or have better bearings.Bottom Line: There are a lot of negative reviews of this product. I've never had a major issue, but the resistance and spin down did seem to change after being on the trainer for a while. I took the mechanism apart and added grease to the axle. The unit now performs perfectly. The mechanism is so simple and it looks like a version of the 1up USA trainer which gets very high marks. The only parts that could degrade the performance as other people have complained about are the bearings. They're cartridge type so they should be consistent but maybe there's an issue with the bearing quality.
Favorite Ride: Outside
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At: REI
Similar Products Used: Minoura, other Blackburn trainers
Bike Setup: Which one??
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
kini
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: February 18, 2010
Strengths: Super quite. Large diameter roller is easy on tires. Simple design to resistance unit that "should" work. Height adjustable, stable, sturdy build.Weaknesses: Resistance unit just does not work no matter how much or little you lube, grease, clean, use the shroud, not use the shroud etc...Bottom Line: Bought it despite the reviews. As previous reviewers note the resistance is all over the place. When I first got it, bearings in the stock position I was good for about 20mph. Over the course of the next couple of months, 3 hours/week on the trainer the resistance became less and less. Currently running all 6 bearings and after about 15mins need to spin at 26-28mph to get any resistance. Of course when the unit is cold I can barely do 10-12mph. The resistance gets gradually changes over the next 10 mins or so. Recently though the resistance has been changing from 28mph in order to have some, to having to stand and mash at 15mph. I did everything and more that BB wanted in order to "cure" its ills. Blackburn is sending me a tech fluid to replace it. There are reasons why BB no longer sells this trainer.
Price Paid:
$199.00
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Road Racer
from Date Reviewed: January 31, 2010
Strengths: Well built. Initial quality is very good. Customer service has been great so far...we'll see how it goes from here.Weaknesses: Kind of an expensive unit for only a couple of seasons.Bottom Line: This has been the best trainer I've ever had... Until now. Very quite and realistic road feel. Now, it is locking up after just a few minutes of riding. I can't even warm up. Called customer service and they gave some suggestions to fix the problem. But after doing everything suggested; it is just as bad or worse. Will be sending it back to Blackburn for a new one. I have to say that after reading all of the reviews, I'm not too hopefull that the new one will be any better. I guess I'll have to invest in more winter riding gear. Damn!
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At: SBR Sports
Similar Products Used: cyclopes fluid, schwinn, and rollers
Bike Setup: Kuota Kharma
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