charlesf
new member
Reged: 03/18/04
Posts: 13
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Hi,
I'm considering buying a stationary bike for the home. My three options:
1. Upright Exercise Bike (Vision Fitness, Life Fitness)
2. Spin Bike (Schwinn, Star Trac, Giant)
3. Cycle-Ops Trainer
Any advice on what provides the best workout? I realize the latter two give no feedback - but the only valuable thing I'd be missing is Resistance Level; the other important details - time and pulse rate - can be taken care of pretty easily (timer, Polar watch). The Uprights are ok, but they tend to rock back and forth a little, and you don't have the same leverage as you do with a spin bike (your legs are slightly spread on an Upright; closer together on the spin bike). But the uprights are better on the backside.
Charles
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OldEd
contributor
Reged: 02/05/04
Posts: 117
Loc: The Great South
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It's more like your real bike in all regards, and that's a good thing. You can get a terrific workout on it, as much as your mind can stand(boredom will be the issue.)
Another advantage: You can use a familar friendly saddle for yr backside.
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TJeanloz
new member
Reged: 02/05/04
Posts: 20
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The spin bike isn't a bad option, but the trainer is a better place to start. I like the flexibility of the trainer - you can set it up just about anywhere, toss it in the trunk and take it anywhere, etc. I do think the spin bike gives a different, and arguably better, workout, but the trainer is more versatile, and is mostly a better option.
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ColnagoFE
new member
Reged: 02/05/04
Posts: 22
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best workout=spin bike hands down. much more stable than a bike on a trainer and you can crank as much resistance as you need. cheapest=trainer trainer also good for warming up before races. don't know anything about cycle-ops.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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You get "seat-time", meaning no arduous hours in the Spring reacquainting you butt to your saddle. You're ready to ride any distance.
And the trainer can help you in the fit of your bike. You can make the changes, almost on the fly, and see if those tweaks work for you.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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TJeanloz
new member
Reged: 02/05/04
Posts: 20
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But a good spin bike should be adjustable to the same dimensions as your bike, and you can mount your saddle to it.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I've been a roller guy for years but I just got a new Tacx electronic trainer and I love it.
It gives a slope of -3 to +9 easily input on the computer, speed, watts and cadence, averages, max's etc. I love the feedback...keeps you on task!
The negative slopes are ridiculously easy but when you get past about a +7 it's almost more than you can push. There are some great workouts to download off the internet as well.
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SpinDoc
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Columbus,Ohio
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I would go Trainer too, but I wouldn't buy a Cycle-ops. They aren't bad per se (I own one) but the Kinetic trainers are the best on the market IMO. The latch system is better designed and the resistance is quite fluid(no pun intended). Check em out before you buy.
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charlesf
new member
Reged: 03/18/04
Posts: 13
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Thanks for all the input.
As an additional question, can a CycloComputer be used for feedback on a spin bike?
How are such devices mounted (do you wear a wristwatch)?
Charles
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SpinDoc
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Columbus,Ohio
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You would need a rear mounted Computer with the cadence feature, something you really want for indoor training anyway.
Oops just caught my mistake in reading comprehension, you said spin bike, not trainer.  I would think any computer would work as long as you can mount the wheel sensor.
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Edited by SpinDoc (04/03/04 02:59 PM)
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MichaelKatz
friend
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 26
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I have a Cat Eye Astral mounted to a Schwinn Spinner. Both cadence and speed. Nothing that some wire ties, electrical tape, wood shims and ingenuity can't cope with.
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