Stationary Bike Stand Buying Tips and Reviews

Most of us have had our cycling plans wrecked by inclement weather at some point or another, hence the world of the indoor bike trainer (and this website)! And when you start looking at some of the fancier trainers on the market to help you get past those wet winters, it can get a bit hair-raising, to say the least.

When you come across a great value trainer like the Bike Lane Pro, priced at typically just under $100, then those hairs can surely stop raising! This trainer has to be one of the best mid-range indoor trainers around, combining top-notch build quality and attractive modern features into one affordable package. It might not make our list of budget trainers under $80, but it’s definitely on the short-list.

What’s to like about the Bike Lane Pro?

Well, first up, it’s rare to find bike trainers that are both portable and sturdy. Foldable stationary bike stands tend to be a little rickety and fragile while sturdy ones are far too heavy to take on your travels. The Bike Lane Pro Trainer strikes that rare balance between portability and stability. It weighs in at just 22 pounds and folds up easily to fit inside your luggage.

At the same time, the separated extra-wide legs provide a stable platform for your vigorous workouts and the fantastic build quality makes for a very sturdy frame indeed. They say you can’t have your cake and eat it, but this bicycle trainer is clear evidence to the contrary.

It’s also clear that this indoor bike trainer was designed with the customer’s welfare in mind. It comes with adjustable foot pads so you can enjoy a stable ride even on uneven surfaces. The set-up process was very quick, intuitive and easy.

Finally, the manufacturers have thoughtfully included both a release skewer and riser (which again, is a rarity), making this a very comprehensive indoor bike trainer package at a great price.

A quick summary of what you’re getting from the Bike Lane Pro:

• State of the art internal magnet ensures that when you start pedaling, the resistance slowly increases.
• Increase resistance by shifting the gears on your bike.
• Portable: Weighing only 22 pounds, it can be folded away for travel and storage.
• Super stable, with extra wide legs and a sturdy frame.
• Easy to setup – and includes its own riser block (for the front wheel).

But how does the Bike Lane Pro ride?

All the advantages we listed above would be for naught if the riding experience was substandard, but we’re happy to report that the Bike Lane Pro Trainer delivers one of the smoothest and most enjoyable indoor bike training experiences we’ve seen from a mid-range bike stand.

The resistance changer is easy to use and changing up or down feels smooth and natural, ensuring your cycling training session is seamless from beginning to end. Moreover, with five resistance settings, you won’t be forced to settle for a resistance setting that’s too easy or overstretch yourself on one that’s too difficult. This bike trainer has something to offer veteran cyclists and biking novices alike (though if you’re after something very pro-level, you really should try one of these). We also found that this stationary trainer did a respectable job of simulating the sensation and challenges of outdoor road cycling.

In addition, while magnetic resistance trainers tend to be noisier than their fluid-based counterparts, the noise produced by this bike trainer was by no means intrusive. If you use smoother road bike tires (or, as we always recommend, trainer tires – the knobbly mountain bike treads will churn out some noise on any trainer), you’ll find that you barely notice the whirring of the flywheel at all.

So, does the Bike Lane Pro give good bang for your buck?

The Bike Lane Pro Trainer is, simply put, one of the finest indoor trainers in its price range. It’s a solid all-round performer and its portability makes it a versatile choice.

We’re no longer new to the world of indoor trainers after having tested and reviewed a lot of models, but of course, still can’t claim to have tried every single bike trainer out there. What we do know, however, is that the legendary brand of Schwinn have gone and released yet another killer product that will please a lot of cycling fans looking to stay in shape over the off-season – yep, the Schwinn Fluid trainer is certainly a trainer to consider if you’re after quality and staying power!

The Schwinn is very well-constructed and carefully designed, and you’re going to be shedding some pounds this winter with this one in your man cave!

We’ve recommended it to all a few fellow bike enthusiasts getting started with indoor training, and won’t be surprised to see one in their houses the next time we swing by for a drink!

Click here for more Schwinn trainer reviews and the latest discounts!

Read on for our full review…

Why you’ll love this Schwinn Fluid trainer…

If you’ve been putting off buying an indoor trainer for ages because there aren’t any trainers that are ready to use right out of the box – and if there’s someone who is worse at this DIY assembly stuff than me, I’d like to meet him – then think again. With this Schwinn trainer, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easily and quickly everything comes together. It took me all of fifteen minutes to set up, while others who have reviewed their purchase online have mentioned setup times of just 5 minutes!

The hand-clamping mechanism for securing the bike was especially convenient and very intuitive. Fortunately for me, it fit my mountain bike’s large 700 cc tires just fine and will most definitely fit other commonplace tires as well. I also appreciated the effort Schwinn put in to deliver a complete package. Every part I could possibly have required was in the box, including a skewer for the wheel axle capable of fitting 5-7 gear cassettes. All in all, I started my first training session within an hour of receiving the delivery from Amazon.

When it came to the riding experience, I was also blown away. For the price, I’m pretty sure you won’t find a better fluid trainer out there. It might be just over the $200 mark, but seriously, this is a great deal for the benefits a fluid trainer can provide you over the cheaper magnetic resistance trainers.

For starters, the Schwinn Fluid Resistance trainer is remarkably stable, and this is coming from someone who can usually be found with his butt half out of the saddle, pedaling as if my life depends on it. I think this must be down to the wide-leg design and the very secure hand-clamping system. Since I let my children on my bike sometimes, stability is a very important feature for me, and I feel completely safe letting my kids use this trainer.

Secondly, the machine was very quiet. I have some of the most intolerant neighbors on the planet, and I’ve had them banging on my door more than once complaining about loud footsteps or noisy television shows, but I haven’t had a peep from them about my indoor cycling. Considering I tend to train late at night or before dawn (a working adult’s got to make do with what little free time he has, right?) this is very impressive. The fluid resistance technology certainly lives up to its billing of being one of the quietest systems out there for indoor bike trainers.

Lastly, the fluid resistance system is a really smooth operator. I haven’t done any maintenance in the four months since I’ve received it, and the ride experience is still extremely enjoyable – no creaking, jerking or wobbling that might distract you from your training! Schwinn’s done a good job of simulating outdoor cycling here. The fluid-based system is, quite astonishingly, able to replicate that exhilarating feeling of coasting down an open road – minus the wind, rain and other niggling discomforts that make open-road cycling in the dead of winter a dubious proposition at best.

Oh, and before we wrap it up, we forgot to mention that this one is also made in the USA. For those of you keen to support home-grown talent and businesses.

But…what’s the catch?

I’m sure you’re wondering, “What’s the catch?”. Fantastic indoor bike trainers don’t usually come cheap, and at just over two hundred dollars, the Schwinn Fluid Resistance trainer clearly falls squarely into the “affordable” category. Well, with this bike trainer you won’t be getting a lot of the high-tech features you might enjoy if you forked over a thousand dollars for a luxury model like the CycleOps PowerBeam Pro. For example, there’s no 12-level adjustable resistance or smartphone compatibility. It could also certainly be made out of heavier metal, and a fold-able frame would be nice.

However, it would be grossly unfair to criticize this Schwinn product for lacking these bells and whistles. It’s an entry-level fluid bike trainer, and I have to evaluate it on that basis. If you want a bike trainer that gives you a safe, smooth and comfortable ride, and is capable of sustaining you through the off-season with challenging and realistic workouts, the Schwinn fluid trainer gets the job done with great aplomb. It’s hardy and designed with the serious cyclist in mind – what more could you ask for? Stop sacrificing your fitness gains when winter comes around, and click that button below to grab your Schwinn indoor trainer today!

Every once in a while, we come across a stationary bike stand that just blows us away, either because of its tremendous value or because it takes us to yet another level.

Without a doubt, the CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro Trainer belongs in this category. We’ve enjoyed our own CycleOps Fluid 2 a lot over the last few months, but the SuperMagneto Pro is definitely one to think about if you’re a fan of all things CycleOps. The SuperMagneto Pro combines industry-leading hardware – in the form of a durable Pro Series frame – with sophisticated software, in the form of its Flexible Power Curve technology, to create an indoor bicycle trainer that will please even the most jaded of critics.

>>> See the very latest discounts and reviews for the CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro

One heck of a riding experience

Fluid-based trainers usually offer a more realistic and challenging cycling experience than magnetic resistance stands, but the CycleOps Magneto Pro Trainer really challenges that preconception. Its Flexible Power Curve Technology allows cyclists to choose between four highly differentiated settings such as “Road”, which involves the use of a sharp resistance curve and greater inertia to simulate road cycling conditions, and “Mountain” which manages to convincingly replicate the grueling, thigh-blasting sensation of an ascent as well as the exhilarating feel of zooming down a steep decline.

>>> More about the resistance curve technology from CycleOps

This software is made possible by an innovative resistance mechanism which shifts magnets around an axis to alter the resistance curve. Resistance changes are incredibly seamless, acceleration feels thrilling and realistic and cycling on this trainer is, on the whole, very smooth. This stationary bike stand also does a fantastic job of simulating inertia as the each flywheel is weighted around its outer edge to ensure that your bike will continue to coast for a brief period after you stop pedaling – just as it does when you’re cycling outside.

Most magnetic flywheels are very difficult to start up again once you stop pedaling, which can really be a downer if you’re in the middle of an intense workout and just wanted to stop for a few seconds’ break, so this innovation by CycleOps is very welcome indeed. Unless you’re willing to shell out a very hefty sum for a virtual reality trainer, this CycleOps bike trainer is the closest thing you’ll get to a genuine outdoor cycling experience in the comfort of your home.

Here’s a quick look at those four training options…

https://youtu.be/q5lFcmNBo30

The superb Pro Series frame

CycleOps biking products are known for their impressive lifespan, making it all the more remarkable that this trainer with its Pro Series frame actually manages to exceed expectations in that regard. It’s made out of the highest quality metal and plastic parts to ensure it’s both sturdy and lightweight (coming in at under 23 pounds). The latter quality is very much welcome considering the portability of this bike trainer has been heavily touted by its manufacturers. As advertised, this bike stand actually folds up really easily for storage or transport. The wide base has also been carefully designed for great stability, which will come in handy when you’re crouched over your handlebars and gunning for top speed.

User-friendly, even for beginners!

Many users, especially those with carpeted floors, complain they can’t get their indoor trainers to lie flat on their floor. That makes training dangerous because it affects the stability of your bike frame. However, the Pro Series frame addresses that complaint with its single-sided design which makes it easy for users to accurately level the trainer. The one-sided design also helps in installing or removing the frame and makes assembly virtually foolproof. You just need to set up the magnet and the frame attachment and you’re ready to roll.

Almost as quiet as a mouse…

Magnetic resistance trainers have a reputation for being noisy, but the CycleOps SuperMagneto trainer bucks that trend. The high-quality hardware makes it very quiet and unobtrusive, so you can train at any time of the day or night without disturbing your neighbors. Of course, as we always mention, a training tire will diminish further any of those excess wheel noises, especially if you ride a mountain bike – and if you’re really attacking your ride AND watching TV, you may well have to turn up the volume on your remote a notch or two!

Value for money – or breaking the bank?

Of course, all these amazing features come at a high price. The CycleOps SuperMagneto trainer is one of the most expensive magnetic trainers on the market, retailing at over $400.

However, for that luxury price, you get a GREAT cycling experience to match. In terms of realism, user-friendliness and durability, this product is sheer class, and class never comes cheap. If you’re serious about cycling and want an indoor bike stand to take your cycling training to the next level, the CycleOps SuperMagneto Trainer is a fantastic investment, and definitely a step-up from the rather more standard (well, for some!) CycleOps Fluid 2 or CycleOps Magneto trainer (the CycleOps Silencer is also worth a look at, if you’re interested in direct drive trainers (meaning you have to remove the rear wheel)).

Now this is a great motivational video from Melbourne’s famous Beach Road! The music is a-pumping for 45 whole minutes, and the excellent angle of the video makes you feel as though you’re there with the rest of the crew…what we liked were the quick sprints which had us overtaking the main group of riders!

Put this one on your TV/laptop, turn the volume up, and start pedaling!

If you need more training videos for inspiration, try this awesome 60 minute workout!

If you want to know why we love those CycleOps trainers so much (especially the Magneto trainer and the upgraded version of the Fluid 2), then we’ll have to take you behind the scenes a little bit, into the very mechanics of what makes a CycleOps trainer actually tick in terms of resistance…because that resistance is what really defines a trainer and its effectiveness in getting us fit!

>>> Take a look at the Kurt Kinetic resistance unit here

Stationary bike trainers are made of two parts: physical elements and mathematical elements. But when it comes to resistance curves, it’s down to plain old maths.

CycleOps use wheel speed, their patented PowerTuned Technology and cadence to create four distinct resistance curves: linear, adjustable, progressive and controlled.

While each of the three factors is needed to calculate the resistance curves, PowerTuned Technology is unique to the CycleOps range of trainers thanks to PowerTap technology (PowerTap are legends of the power meter business).

Creating resistance curves with PowerTuned Technology enables CycleOps to produce the widest range of resistance at real world speeds by matching the rider with the right flywheel and resistance unit. When the optimal flywheel mass to resistance type is found, real world inertia is achieved and no unnecessary weight is added to the trainer. This is what you can call a win-win for all involved!

Using PowerTuned technology and the PowerTap powermeter CycleOps then takes the amount of power it would take for an average rider to maintain a specific speed while on the bike trainer.

Linear / Adjustable Resistance

The Linear resistance curves in graphs shown on the CycleOps site are relevant for the Mag / Mag+. When you pedal faster or shift gears, the resistance changes proportionately to your adjusted speed; the Wind trainer is pure linear, while the Mag / Mag + is adjustable. And if you want to know just how realistic the resistance on these linear / adjustable-type trainers feels, well, it doesn’t really feel like a real outdoors ride. To be absolutely blunt…

Progressive Resistance

This is the resistance we personally prefer, when you pedal faster or shift gears, the resistance actually increases – just like it should when you ride outdoors. Basically, at 20kmh you’re working twice as hard as when riding at 10kmh. In addition to the Fluid 2, there’s also the classic CycleOps Magneto, and SuperMagneto Pro to include in this range of Progressive resistance trainers.

Controlled Resistance

Controlled resistance refers to the a head unit actually controlling your resistance, such as the resistance found when connecting to a virtual trainer program, such as CycleOps Virtual Training. This is probably the most realistic feel of all, with the trainer (such as the CycleOps PowerBeam) adjusting as you pedal.

OK, so the search for indoor bicycle trainers under $100 that deliver a dynamic and fulfilling cycling experience can often be a futile and disheartening one for many of you out there.

We generated this great little list of the best THREE trainers for under $80, which has proven very popular, but this is one of the trainers that just missed out on the list (it cost just a few $$ more than our $80 limit), the Graber Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer.

You can find great deals for this trainer in online stores like Amazon, where the price is typically just under $100, but even at the full retail price of $150 we can unhesitatingly recommend this Graber bike trainer for its superb riding experience, portability and all-round versatility.

>>> Click HERE for the very best price for this Graber Mag trainer!

What we liked about the Graber Mag Trainer

Any experienced cyclist knows that two things matter when it comes to indoor cycling – stability and resistance. The Graber Mag Trainer delivers on both fronts. The manufacturers have incorporated leveling feet into the trainer design, which create a greater and more evenly distributed traction between the bike trainer and the floor. This ensures that no matter how hard you’re pedaling, you’ll hardly feel a wobble.

In terms of resistance, this Graber stationary bike trainer is one of the best value examples of magnetic resistance trainers out there. It provides five levels of magnetic resistance ensuring it has something to offer to both the cycling novice and the seasoned pro. The adjustable resistance settings make this trainer ideal if you’re looking to make real progress in your indoor cycling sessions, since you can ramp the resistance up as your fitness increases.

Granted, the cycling experience isn’t quite as smooth or realistic with this Graber trainer as it is with top-end fluid resistance trainers like the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. However, those machines cost nearly thrice as much and magnetic resistance trainers hardly, if ever, outperform fluid resistance trainers, which is reflected in their lower prices. However, compared with other magnetic trainers, this Graber indoor bike trainer is simply excellent value.

If you’ve done some research already, you’re probably aware that the main problem with cheaper indoor bike trainers is the level of noise produced, but this Graber trainer defies expectations with its surprisingly quiet performance. As with any stationary bike trainer, the deeper and bulkier the treads on your tires, the more noise the trainer produces, but if you use road bike tires, or a training slick, this indoor trainer simply hums along. Even if your apartment has thin walls, you can pedal at top speed without incurring the wrath of your neighbors. If your apartment has hard wooden floors, one handy tip is to use the trainer on a carpeted section of your apartment. That prevents the noise created by the vibration of the trainer from becoming too loud and disruptive.

What’s more, this Graber stationary bike trainer was clearly designed with user-friendliness in mind. Many cyclists want to bring an indoor trainer with them when they go on holiday or travel for bike shows and races, but find that most foldable trainers are either too flimsy to withstand the rigors of travelling or too heavy to carry around. If you’re looking for a portable indoor bike trainer, the Graber Mag might just be the answer. The folding mechanism is quick, intuitive and smooth and the size of the trainer, when folded up, is just right for traveling.

And despite its relatively light weight of 17 pounds, the build quality is superb. Use common sense when packing it and it’ll arrive at your destination fully intact. We also found the assembly process really fuss-free. Even if you failed shop class in school, you’ll be able to set this trainer up in a matter of minutes by following the clear and concise instruction manual.

What we didn’t like…

In saying all this, the Graber indoor bike trainer isn’t perfect. If your bike uses a standard axle, you won’t be able to use the bike trainer right out of the box. You’ll have to add an extra nut to the left side of your axle to make it fit the trainer which is primarily built for quick-release axles.

In addition, we’d have preferred a metal friction roller rather than a PVC one, though the PVC roller is remarkably durable and shows no signs of wear and tear even after some pretty intense cycling workouts. However, if Graber were to implement these improvements, the price would inevitably go up and probably out it beyond the “excellent value” bracket…

So, bang for your buck?

At just under $100, the Graber Mag trainer is a dream come true for budget-oriented cycling fanatics and is definitely one of the best-value magnetic resistance trainers on the market. In our opinion, this is a definite alternative to the cheap bestseller, the Magnet Indoor trainer.

We previously spoke about the three considerations you need to look at when buying an indoor trainer (notably your goals, your time available, and your budget), but here are another three factors that are also critical: ride-ability, durability, and repeatability.

To cut a long story short, we’ll break it down into quick bite-sized morsels:

• Ride-ability is the replication of that on-road feel, that feel you get when you’re out on your bike. Not all trainers on the market have that, but if it’s really crucial for your indoor sessions, you’ll probably be very satisfied with the Rock n Roller or the Road Machine from Kurt Kinetic.
• Durability is the trainer’s ability to last for more than one intense winter…depending on your use, that might rule out the cheaper end of the market (these three are cheap and cheerful, but we can’t guarantee their durability). For example, if you’re intent on a fluid trainer, make sure you get one known NOT to leak, such as the impressive CycleOps Fluid 2.
• Repeatability is the ability for the trainer to replicate your training sessions, crucial if you want to measure any progress you might be making. This depends on the resistance curve; if your trainer has too many variations in resistance, it becomes difficult to replicate…

The video below gives a great analysis of all those factors. And the guy in the video is the Australian Cycling Coach, so the fella knows what he’s talking about…