Alright, so I had the great idea of selling my road bike as the only time I rode it was on the trainer. I figured I could just put my mountain bike on the trainer and all would be the same, but I was wrong. It’s super loud and drives me nuts. I don’t want to spend a ton of money so I have two options. I can get an old road bike to put on my wheel on trainer or I can get an exercise bike and I plan to put my power meter pedals on either way. I have seen the off brand stationary s on Amazon and a place close by has proforms for pretty inexpensive but I wanted to get some Other opinions and see what you all thought. I do not race and really just do this for fun and to stay fairly fit.
You might as well spend some money on oT so you have the option to use it as a bike.
Given your two choices I’d probably go with the road bike if you can find one that is cheap, in good condition, and fits you well. I bought a cheap rower from amazon and wish I’d just splurged on the concept.
If you are willing to go in a different direction I’d consider one of the direct drive smart trainers. I had a wheel on trainer that sounded like a vacuum cleaner with my MTB so I got a direct drive trainer refurbed and on sale and couldnt be happier. I think you can get one for less than $500 new.
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I second the direct drive trainer approach given their recent discounted prices and sales.
Were the power pedals intended just for the trainer? I presume so, since your other bike is a mountain bike, unless you were going to get Rallys. If so, a direct drive trainer could replace that cost.
I would go with a direct drive trainer as mentioned. Unless something besides your tires are making your drive me crazy noise.
In terms of noise, are you using a smooth tire? Not a knobbly tire that normally goes on a mtb…
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I don’t want a direct drive because I do neighborhood rides with the kids and don’t want to have to put a wheel on every time we go. I am using a normal mountain bike tire, and for the same reason don’t want to have to change wheels every time I decide to go ride. It’s looking like I might be going with an older road bike, I am curious about why the resistance to an exercise bike though. I thought if I could put power meter pedals on it was a good option, but is there something I am missing? I have no interest in ever riding on the road again, so having a bike for that reason doesn’t sway me either way. Also if I do decide I want to go for a road ride, I can just ride the mountain bike.
If it’s to use TR/ something else online with, personally I would be looking at smart trainers. But I really don’t know enough about cheap stationary bikes. My only recent experience is Hotel and Gym bikes, which I doubt are the same price point as you are looking.
fwiw I was (until the bb went) using an old 7 speed road bike on my Smart Trainer. With erg, it really doesn’t matter once it’s an appropriate fit!
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I’ve no problem with using a mtb. But if you look at a road tyre they are normally pretty smooth, and a trainer specific tyre is very smooth, and I imagine that’s because it reduces the noise.
I appreciate the hassle of changing over tyre every time you switch from indoors to outdoors, maybe just get two rear wheels?
But indoor stationary bikes are great if you find one you’re happy with.
I used to have a wheel on trainer. Worked great but I was careful to inflate the tyre pressure to the same amount each time. I then invested a lot of money in a Wattbike and I’m very happy with what I spent. I figured I would save on gym membership etc and it’s great to be able to just hop on and get training.
I like keeping my road bike on the direct trainer. It takes less than a minute to take it off and add the wheel or vice versa. In the meantime, the bike has a safe place to sit and is ready for mid-week sessions.
The family rides is good new info. It sounds like the original options suit you best if you don’t like the wheel swapping. Getting them ready and out the door is enough work.
It also sounds like you only mountain bike IRL. If that’s the case, I’d get a similar fitting cheap mountain bike and put a smooth tyre on it so it all syncs up. Unless you like a road setup indoors because of the multiple hand positions.
I don’t think I’ve ever been comfortable on a gym bike due to the bars. If you can get a legit like-for-like fit to your mountain bike, then they’re totally fine. The ‘road feel’/wheel momentum might be different but it’s fine.