Rating: Overall: 5/5, Value 5/5
Reviewed by: Tiburd, Weekend Warrior, from Wyoming
Price Paid: $0 at LBS
Summary: Smooth, effective, sturdy, portable, great value. Weighs less than magnetic trainers (!) and folds up for storage or transit (great for warmups before races). Super customer service: mine developed a bearing knock after a few months and the mfr. replaced the rotor unit free, no questions asked, even though I had bought a demo unit and lost the receipt!! Much quieter with the new bearing. Love that realistic road feel, from spinning to sprints. Fan provides SOME welcome cooling on backside during long hard workouts.
Strengths: Smooth, portable, effective, great customer service, great value.
Weaknesses: Not as quiet as magnetic.
Similar Products Used: Magnetic trainer; stationary exercise bike.
Bike Setup: Specialized Allez Comp with Speedplay pedals; junk wheels for trainer, R535 for road, Hed J2/H3 comb
September 2002
Rating: Overall: 3/5, Value 5/5
Reviewed by: Michael , Weekend Warrior, from Seattle, WA, USA
Price Paid: $150 at REI
Favorite Trail: most of the trails in DC
Summary: I thought I wouldn't mind the noise, but it's too loud. I worry that my apartment neighbors will complain. The fan noise is one thing, but after a few uses it seems to have developed a bearing noise (knock knock knock knock knock) as well. I'm going to return it. I'm not sure whether I should get rollers instead so I can improve my spin and balance.
Strengths: cheap, simple, blows air
Weaknesses: fan noise and bearing noise
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: Vision R44 recumbent
March 2001
Rating: Overall: 5/5, Value 4/5
Reviewed by: Craig Beaton, Racer, from Canada
Favorite Trail: Martoc, NS
Summary: Its defanately a nice trainer and oh yeah it comes with an unreal video.
Strengths: Sturdy, easy to use, reliable, does its job well
Weaknesses: noisy, heavy.
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: using an old nishiki hunk of crap road bike, shimano 105 road group
March 2000
Rating: Overall: 5/5
Reviewed by: GeorgieGee , Weekend Warrior, from Breesport, NY
Summary: Bought this for $145 from LBS. Read about fluid trainers leaking, so decided to go with most simple design. Smooth operation albeit a little noisy. Training video (included) ensures this trainer won't end up in the closet due to extreme boredom while mindlessly pedaling for an hour. If you're not overly concerned about making noise and want a solid trainer at an affordable price, you should check out this model.
Strengths: Simple, sturdy design; nothing to break (or leak); well made; folds for easy storage; great training video included.
Weaknesses: Noisy (sounds like car engine idling); sloppy welds.
Similar Products Used: Minoura mag trainer.
Bike Setup: Use with GT 2000 road bike.
January 2000
http://www.roadbikereview.com/Trainers/CycleOps,Wind,Trainer/PRD_21684_1663crx.aspx