Summary: Replaced my aging magnetic trainer with this model to teach a spin class with. What a world of difference. High quality and progressive resistence make for a HARD workout. Great machine, but the clamping mechanism for the wheel could be a little better
Strengths: True road resistance, solid frame and excelent build quality
Weaknesses: True road resistance, wheel clamping mechanism seems a little cumbersome and somewhat loose.
Similar Products Used: Magnura Trainer, Cyclops PVC rollers
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Summary: I agree with a previous review that this may not be the trainer for a high wattage cyclist as the resistance forces to spin the biggest chain ring and the smallest cogs.
Strengths: Silent
Weaknesses: Resistance does not simulate actual road workout. My stats just went beyond my actual road average on this trainer.
Similar Products Used: Performance's Ascent and Kurt Kinetic Road Machine
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Favorite Ride: Ruck-A-Chucky on any ride in Auburn!
Bike Setup: s-works stays on trainer, that's the only good place for a road bike anyway.
Summary: Product is smooth and quiet. Good resistance and despite what I have read mine was level and w/o issues (although I agree the instructions are in Martian). Great for long spins and interval work.
Strengths: control resistance by shifting and very quiet. EZ setup.
Weaknesses: not really portable if thats what you are looking for
Similar Products Used: Mag Trainer, Minoura trainer
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Bike Setup: Cervelo R3 with mostly Ultegra gruppo and Easton Circuit wheels.
Summary: Am heading into my third Chicago winter with this unit and am extremely satisfied. The bulk of the unit is sturdy and tough and has done everything I have ever asked of it. I train using a heart rate monitor and I have done every conceivable workout on it (except sprints) with no complaints. Once you get used to it, the lever used to clamp the bike to the trainer works like a dream: there is no quicker or easier way to attach a bike to a trainer. As for "road feel," it is not a quality I value. So long as I can train at the cadences and heart rates required by my work out I couldn't care less. Besides, unless you are Joe Average in terms of your weight and power output, no trainer is going to feel like the road. I weigh 220lbs and generate 400W just to get moving in the real world, so, for me, searching for some kind of "road simulator" would be an exercise in futility - certainly at this price.
BTW, it is possible to turn the Fluid 2 into a cheap and cheerful power trainer by investing a mere $50 in a Kurt Kinetic power computer. Not for the purist, obviously, but plenty good enough for the rest of us.
Strengths: Sturdy, reliable and quiet with no need to mess around with resistance settings..
Weaknesses: Assembly instructions written in Martian; bulky to store. The cam handle used to move the roller back and forth is a bit flimsy. I broke mine with a bit of over enthusiastic tightening and had to get it replaced.
Similar Products Used: Performance brand magnetic trainer. OK but noisy as hell and broke after being subjected to hard winter use.
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Summary: I didn’t pay for the one I have, but if I did, I would be extremely unhappy.
The newer models don’t have the crank style handle shown on this model for good reason. I broke mine twice. The first time the factory sent me a new one, the second time I was so frustrated, I decided to buy a new, better trainer. The stationary plate that connects to screw that raised the resistance mechanism bent. The handle on the end of that screw stripped. It didn’t provide enough resistance to get out of the saddle to simulate climbing. The resistance mechanism makes a clicking noise. The unit wasn’t level and I felt that I was leaning to one side. I was surprised how heavy it was. When moving from one location to another, the folding legs can be a finger pincher.
Strengths: I had a wind trainer and moving to a fluid trainer was a big step up for me.
Weaknesses: Durability
Similar Products Used: none
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