Current Events > CE bicyclists? Can I get advice?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I want to buy a trainer online. Today - if possible.
This is my bike:
https://imgur.com/azGK62h

I see some of the trainers specify they're designed for "quick release rear axle" (no idea what that means)
I also notice some of them come with something to prop up my front wheel and others don't. I have a carpet - so I don't know how much that's going to matter. I also want to know how easy it is to put one of these together

bump

Ride in the winter. You don't need that garbage.
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SrRd_RacinG posted...

Ride in the winter. You don't need that garbage.

That's not the point. I don't live in area right now that's particularly good for biking, and I don't like going to the gym - even the 24 hour one in my apartment complex. I'd rather just ride my bike indoors while i'm watching tv or something - because it'd at least get me bike ready for when I want to ride outside, unlike an exercise bike.

https://www.performancebike.com/travel-trac-comp-fluid-trainer-tt-cmpfl/p915875

I use this. It works great after 3 years still. Just make sure to take out any mr. tuffy tire liners or else the friction and heat will give you spontaneous flats.

As far as I know it came with its own quick release rear axle, in fact it had to because it was steel and there's more forces and stuff. That's relatively easy to swap out honestly.

As for what a quick release rear axle is, it's one of these.
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/images/SwingingQR2.gif

Those help you take the wheel off the bike quickly. If they're designed for quick release, it means the attachment point can fit one of those nicely.

As for needing something to prop up your front wheel, you don't need one, you can just use a giant roll of duct tape like I do.

https://www.atwoods.com/media/catalog/product/cache/207e23213cf636ccdef205098cf3c8a3/4/7/470096.png

One of those basically.

Looking at your bike you have a fixed gear bike, so you might not be able to get the most out of a trainer, but it's something. For me changing gears on my bike also changes the resistance for me on a fluid trainer. It also appears that you don't have a quick release on your bike, so I'm not sure how you might be able to put it onto a trainer, but I think you should be able to. Also, I'd recommend clipless pedals because the upstroke while pedaling really helps you go faster and train other muscles too, BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARY, if you don't care about that stuff or you're trying to save money. If you're aiming to just move your feet then you're fine.
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Rainbow_Dashing posted...

https://www.performancebike.com/travel-trac-comp-fluid-trainer-tt-cmpfl/p915875

I use this. It works great after 3 years still. Just make sure to take out any mr. tuffy tire liners or else the friction and heat will give you spontaneous flats.

As far as I know it came with its own quick release rear axle, in fact it had to because it was steel and there's more forces and stuff. That's relatively easy to swap out honestly.

As for what a quick release rear axle is, it's one of these.
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/images/SwingingQR2.gif

Those help you take the wheel off the bike quickly. If they're designed for quick release, it means the attachment point can fit one of those nicely.

As for needing something to prop up your front wheel, you don't need one, you can just use a giant roll of duct tape like I do.

https://www.atwoods.com/media/catalog/product/cache/207e23213cf636ccdef205098cf3c8a3/4/7/470096.png

One of those basically.

Looking at your bike you have a fixed gear bike, so you might not be able to get the most out of a trainer, but it's something. For me changing gears on my bike also changes the resistance for me on a fluid trainer. It also appears that you don't have a quick release on your bike, so I'm not sure how you might be able to put it onto a trainer, but I think you should be able to. Also, I'd recommend clipless pedals because the upstroke while pedaling really helps you go faster and train other muscles too, BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARY, if you don't care about that stuff or you're trying to save money. If you're aiming to just move your feet then you're fine.

Thank you for the advice. I think I'd want something cheaper than that right now. Are the ones I'm seeing for under $100 probably not able to work with my bike?
I also have never seen one of those quick release rear axles before, lol. As for being a fixed gear - I'm pretty sure most of my friends always rode fixed gears, and they're the ones who I first ever heard talking about trainers. So there has to be a way, I guess? I can understand, though, how a fixed gear on a trainer would be less of a workout - since the workout from riding a fixed gear is mostly from having to manually pedal up hills/slow yourself riding downhill.

bobbaaay posted...

Are the ones I'm seeing for under $100 probably not able to work with my bike?

If you post them I could try to see, but honestly I have no experience, never used a fixed gear myself. You're better off contacting one of your friends about that. But I think it should work out regardless, it depends on the trainer you're using however. I'm sure there might be some on craigslist you can also get for cheap.

bobbaaay posted...

how a fixed gear on a trainer would be less of a workout

This is not necessarily true, on a fluid trainer, the faster you go, the more the fluid resists you, so eventually you reach a point where you just can't go any faster because it's so difficult. It also mimics road conditions pretty nicely honestly.
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