Indoor training

Wouldn't this be a nice thing to commercialize for indoor trainers?

"Hi, I'm John Welch..."

Reid Welch

Here is what Performance offers. performancebike.comCategoryDisplayOpen ↗

They range from relatively affordable to outrageously expensive. The trainers clamp onto your bike at the rear hub and your rear wheel turns a resistance unit. Most come with a QR Skewer to use it with so that you don't damage the one on your bike. These trainers tend to promote excessive tire wear so most guys either use an old tire or there are tires that you can buy that are made specifically for use with a trainer. Some of the less expensive trainers generate a lot of noise but the fluid trainers are fairly quiet.

You can get rollers which do not clamp your bike at all. They are just that, rollers that your wheels turn. The rear wheel turns a drum that has a belt on it that turns a front roller that turns your front wheel. These are good because they will not allow you to lose your good outdoor form while riding indoors. You also have to concentrate on what you are doing so there is no book reading or watching TV while you are riding. The biggest danger with rollers is that you can ride right off of them which usually results in some ugly injuries. A lot of the newer rollers have drums that have lips on the ends to keep you from rolling off the drum. Rollers take a little while to get use to. Most recommend that you ride next to a wall when you first start using them so that you can catch yourself if you start to go over. They also wear tires quickly, and since you are higher off the ground than normal, it is suggested that you wear your helmet while using them.

Both trainers and rollers can be noisy if used on a wooden floor. They are not good for apartments where you live above someone. They also have a tendency to leave marks on the floor so a mat is suggested. They also tend to throw off bits of rubber (your tire) so you have to vacuum around them often. You should also have a fan blowing on you to keep you cool while using them.

Almost all bicycle accessory manufacturers make some sort of trainer and most bicycle shops either have them on hand or can order them, or you can order your own from one of the online retailers or used off of eBay.