Cyclops Indoor Cycle (which one)

[font=Arial]Reply to myself:[/font]

[font=Arial]Pro 300PT cycleops.comp 196 pro 300pt.aspxOpen ↗ is around $1800 dollars. Pretty piece of change but I sold a road bike so maybe I put that towards this so I can afford a spin trainer with bells and whistles.[/font]

[font=Arial]Has anyone tried the Sport 100 or 200E, I figure everyone here is all about the power and electronic considerations of the high end model but maybe someone can speak to the bike with partial electronics or none. Makes me a little old school maybe, technology is my day job, kind of want to get away from it on the bike. Still ride a older columbus chrome molly frame and wonder if as a rec rider I really need to measure everything.[/font]

[font=Arial]Sway me, convert me, tell me just to buy a cheaper spinner or just pass this post by.[/font]

[font=Arial]Cheers,[/font]

[font=Arial]Bruce[/font]

Go all the way and buy that 300 model. Power meter is worth the extra money. If you don't need/want power meter then get some other brand indoor bike.

I just bought a 300PT a week or so ago, and I'm pretty pleased with it so far. Here's how to get the 300 at a price closer to what their lower models cost:

- Become a member of REI
- Get their REI visa card (good for a 5% rebate plus a $25 gift card)
- Sign up for their "Gear Mail" newsletter and get a 15% off any single item, or wait for their 20% off any single item promotion that comes around a few times a year.
- Save all shipping costs by having it shipped to their store rather than to your home.
(They've also got a great return policy.)

I watched ebay and craigslist for several months and these things almost never come up for sale, and when they do, they don't sell for much less than the deal I outlined above.

-- Bryan

Trying to decide if riding in a spin class where the instructors keep the workout honest... the power meter will allow me to measure performance and benchmark goals keeping me honest and interested riding alone.

Want and need the power meter... probably trying to validate the extra $600 clams and wonder just how many people use it to the fullest.

Currently using StarTrac spinning bikes, not technology just me and the pressure knob. Tried a Schwinn at a dealer, seemed and felt really cheap but its just my opinion. Have not tried any others. I like the micro adjust of Cycleops and will have to try it at a dealer.

More feedback please!

Bruce

Oakflyfisher said:

More feedback please!

You might want to hold out and see what the new Lemond Fitness cycles are like. I had the chance to ride one of their previous models, and it was smooooooooooooooooooooooth.

EDIT: This is what I briefly rode:

http://www.lemondfitness.com/products_info.php?id=139

I see, however, that it is even more expensive than the 300PT, and the newer ones with the built-in powermeter are likely to be even pricier.

acoggan said:

You might want to hold out and see what the new Lemond Fitness cycles are like. I had the chance to ride one of their previous models, and it was smooooooooooooooooooooooth.

EDIT: This is what I briefly rode:

lemondfitness.comproducts info.phpOpen ↗

I see, however, that it is even more expensive than the 300PT, and the newer ones with the built-in powermeter are likely to be even pricier.

If the feel's anything like their Revmaster indoor bikes, they're very smooth but with very low inertia compared to a Star Trac, Cycle Ops, or Schwinn indoor spinning type bike. Personally, I don't like the feel of the Revmaster at all.

Oakflyfisher said:

Trying to decide if riding in a spin class where the instructors keep the workout honest... the power meter will allow me to measure performance and benchmark goals keeping me honest and interested riding alone.

Want and need the power meter... probably trying to validate the extra $600 clams and wonder just how many people use it to the fullest.

Currently using StarTrac spinning bikes, not technology just me and the pressure knob. Tried a Schwinn at a dealer, seemed and felt really cheap but its just my opinion. Have not tried any others. I like the micro adjust of Cycleops and will have to try it at a dealer.

More feedback please!

Bruce

There is a new indoor cycle called a Trixter X-bike 1000 that has an ergonomic moving handle bar (supposedly good for sprinting indoors) http://www.workoutideas.com/trxbi10.html

I am not that familiar with spin bikes but the disadvantage I see is that when you increase your cadence the resistance does not automatically increase like it does with a standard indoor trainer - plus the fact that you dont have the ability to monitor power.

Hey Everyone... thanks for feedback.

Saw the Trixter online, it looks cool but I like the idea of fewer moving parts, call me paranoid but this is a significant investment and I want to stick with tried and true although I think their product is real cool.

Yeah you can't throw around a 150lb trainer like sprinting but regular wind or oil trainers are pretty much the same. The only thing I have never tried is rollers but I am afraid I will run off the darn thing and leave rubber marks on the carpet. Thats a whole other story.

Think I need to study the PDF eloctronic brochures a bit to understand the benefits of the computer vs a stand alone bike.

Thanks everyone.

Bruce

mickthomas said:

There is a new indoor cycle called a Trixter X-bike 1000 that has an ergonomic moving handle bar (supposedly good for sprinting indoors) workoutideas.comtrxbi10.htmlOpen ↗

I am not that familiar with spin bikes but the disadvantage I see is that when you increase your cadence the resistance does not automatically increase like it does with a standard indoor trainer - plus the fact that you dont have the ability to monitor power.

Instead of rollers, get a Taxx iMagic or Fortius VR trainer (or Computrainer).

I had a cyclops indoor trainer and while it is okay unless you are extremely strong willed you will not give it your all becuase it's soooooooooooo boring. Rollers may need a little more input but it's still gonna be like a gerbil on a roller!

With a VR trainer it's completly different. They all have power, with pacers/race yourself etc and you can easily do 3 hour sessions on them. Perfect for missed group sessions or tailored power sessions. The real life video, or Googlemapped GPS rides (computrainer) take indoor training to a new level.

I know this seems blunt, but my Cyclops is now an extremly expensive bike stand! Those rollers will also take up a lot of space also when abandoned!

Oakflyfisher said:

Hey Everyone... thanks for feedback.

Saw the Trixter online, it looks cool but I like the idea of fewer moving parts, call me paranoid but this is a significant investment and I want to stick with tried and true although I think their product is real cool.

Yeah you can't throw around a 150lb trainer like sprinting but regular wind or oil trainers are pretty much the same. The only thing I have never tried is rollers but I am afraid I will run off the darn thing and leave rubber marks on the carpet. Thats a whole other story.

Think I need to study the PDF eloctronic brochures a bit to understand the benefits of the computer vs a stand alone bike.

Thanks everyone.

Bruce