Kurt Kinetic Rock & Roll

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Seasonal Outfitters

Favorite Ride:
Hope turnoff to Exit Glacier

Bike Setup:
2008 Giant TCR Advanced 2 - stock except Specialized Toupe saddle.

Summary:
Long Alaskan winters mean lots of time on the indoor trainer. I was looking for something that could closely replicate outdoor riding to make all that indoor training as enjoyable as possibe. I've been riding this for the past 6 months (3-6 hrs/week). I found it to be smooth and stable. While the added motion doesn't match the real raod feel, it was better than fixed trainers. I choose Kurt Kinetic because of the feedback on how durable they are, however I just experienced a fatigue failure with the trainer where the bike support tube is welded to the resistance unit. Both welds cracked and cracked the bike support tube. I guess I find out how well Kurt Kinetic honors it's warranty.

Strengths:
Stable, smooth, and added motion enhances the indoor training experience.

Weaknesses:
Durability - fatigue failure after 6 months use!!

Similar Products Used:
15 yr old Schwinn magentic trainer - still working!

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Price Paid:  $250.00 at KurtKinetic (demo un

Favorite Ride:
Hills

Bike Setup:
Salsa Campeon road bike.
Iron Horse Warrior hard-tail mountain bike.

Summary:
Not quite a real road feel, but closer than anything besides rollers. The side-to-side motion really engages the core. I recommend the optional turn-table riser-ring to furthern enhance the road-like feel & the core workout. Very solid build - doesn't feel tippy even with the side-motion. They include a tapered shim to insert in the shock-mount area to help level the unit if your floor is uneven, but I prefer to put a few magazines under my splatter mat at the leg contact-points instead.

Strengths:
Innovative design, very effective for a good workout. Good frame construction. Best fluid resistance unit available - quiet & won't leak. Fluid doesn't thin out & offer less resistance when hot. Easy to assemble. Easily adjusts to bike dimensions. Quick bike mount or dismount. Available power meter. Unconditional lifetime warranty to original owner.

Weaknesses:
Not very portable - big & heavy (acceptable trade-off). Not as true to road-feel as rollers (again acceptable).

Similar Products Used:
The open road (in other words, none).

Price Paid:  $449.00 at Geared2Go.com

Bike Setup:
Colnago C50

Summary:
Excellent road like feel and much easier on your news and legs since the trainer gives a bit. I would also recommend the special front wheel block that is made for it. I did intervals on this trainer, and I could ride 2x or 3x longer because of the ability to rock back and forth a bit and bounce.

Strengths:
Excellent build quality. Easy to put together.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Cyclelops Fluid

Price Paid:  $475.00 at Contes - LBS

Favorite Ride:
Right now, a warm outdoor ride is a good ride

Bike Setup:
Merlin w D/A

Summary:
Having had a CycleOps and a Blackburn in years past the quiet and smooth factor was important. The ability for the bike to move around and not feel so rigid is really great. After a few rides I can really simulate climbing and sprinting out of the saddle and it feels real. Nice and stable too. The website says it works your 'core' muscles to ensure you stay upright - not sure if thats true, its not like you tip over if you daydream like on true rollers, but there is a degree of flexibility side to side that gives everything more of a real road feel. You can stretch out and move around on the bike a little easier as it moves under you a bit, ultimately meaning longer rides indoors.

Strengths:
Stable and quiet, but gives you the flexibility to climb and sprint out of the saddle, and the bike moves underneath you almost the same way it does on the road. Great smooth resistance unit, nice a quiet with accurate resistance.

Weaknesses:
None yet.
Very powerful riders may want the PRO resistance unit.

Similar Products Used:
CycleOps fluid
Cateeye mag
Blackburn