I have owned several mag trainers over the last decade and I have no doubt that this is the best one on the market as far as sturdiness, but it is not without its limitations. Briefly, like all mag trainers, it is still loud and it doesn't generate a lot of resistance. I have never used a fluid trainer before and can't afford one, but if it actually is significantly quieter and you have the money I'd recommend it, particularly if you live in an apartment or shared dwelling.
Here are the reasons why it compares favorably with all the other mag trainers I've owned: (1) It was easy to set up. I have read some reviews to the contrary and I simply can't agree. I think it took me all of 10 minutes. I suppose if you have never used one before and seen how the resistance unit is meant to fit and function, it could be less intuitive. (2) It feels sturdy, with no noticeable rocking back and forth, even when standing and/or applying quite a bit of force. Unlike some trainers I've owned, I don't feel afraid that I'm going to go rocketing across the room if I try to stand up and sprint. (3) Many of the surfaces I use it on are slightly uneven, but by extending and/or shortening the "feet" as needed (done simply by twisting them in or out) it is quite easy to make the trainer level and stable. In these three respects it performs exactly as expected.
That said, this one didn't meet my admittedly high (by virtue of the price and the manufacturer's reputation) hopes, in two key respects. (1) Make no mistakes about it, mag trainers are loud and this one is no exception. While spinning at low resistance and high cadence the vibration and noise are tolerable, about as loud as, say, a stand mixer; but when turning the big ring at about 70 RPMs in an enclosed space -- my 1 bedroom apartment -- it throws off enough noise that I need to turn the pumping house music on my closely fitting headphones all the way up to the max to drown it out. Using it on a weeknight -- the purpose for which I bought it -- is absolutely out of the question without probably drawing complaints from my upstairs and downstairs neighbors. It's perhaps 5-10% quieter than mag trainers I owned 3-5 years ago, but still not quiet enough that I would feel comfortable using it in an apartment without concrete walls, in a single-dwelling house, or in a basement or garage. (2) It just doesn't generate very much resistance. I am not a particularly strong cyclist, but even on the highest setting, I have to put it in the fourth or third hardest gearing to generate enough resistance to get a zone 4-5 workout while spinning at 70 RPM. I'm not sure I could even get the resistance up high enough to really "grind," i.e., 50-60 RPMs. It doesn't matter so much for me right now but if I got significantly stronger I could see it really being an issue.
I don't know how much I'll end up using this. If I had the extra money and knew that a fluid trainer would be significantly quieter, I'd go that way instead.
(31 customers reviews)
Customers Rating=4.5 / 5.0
More Detail For CycleOps Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer
- Indoor-use bicycle trainer keeps you in shape during winter months
- Features internal flywheel for a smooth and quiet ride
- Five resistance settings using magnet brake
- Made of steel for durability; foldable legs for easy storage
- Includes informational DVD
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