Stationary Bike Stand Buying Tips and Reviews

We recently came across these great customizable name stickers to personalize your bike and thought we should share with you all as we love ’em!

Created by Pegatin from the UK, these custom name stickers simply allow you to create a batch of white or black-based stickers (you’ll have to work out which ones suit your bike), complete with the flag of your homeland and your name. And if you’re not going to purchase them for yourself, don’t they make one heck of a birthday / Christmas present for the cycling enthusiast friend/family member?!

As a picture says a thousand words, here are some great examples of what they look like…

Nice, eh? And you can stick them pretty well anywhere you like, even on your helmet…

The stickers range in price from the very basic 11.99 Euros (that works out at just over $13 at today’s rates) for a pack of 10 black based stickers (suitable for light surfaces) to the professional ultimate pack, which will set you back some 40 Euros. Personally, I’d go with the most popular pack, which features 5 black and 5 white stickers, which are also in full color and laminated.

CLICK HERE to go and get your own!

A pair of indoor cycling shoes might seem a little extravagant, seeing as you’re set up to go at home or in the office, and perhaps you don’t really need all that extra expense, but seriously, a pair of the right shoes will take your training session to the next level…I’m not going to tell you how many foot sores and sore leg muscles (eased a little by this amazing muscle stick) I suffered before realizing I needed some decent footwear!

So yes, if you’re cycling using plain old running shoes, stop! Cycling stresses your lower body in a very different way from running and you need footwear specifically designed to counteract that stress. Cycling shoes are an essential investment for any cyclist who takes their training and performance seriously, and in order to make your hunt for the perfect cycling shoes a little easier, I’ve compiled this list of the best cycling shoes out there for both men and women.

The Best Men’s Cycling Shoes

Pearl iZUMi Men’s All-Road II Cycling Shoe

These cycling shoes from Pearl manage to pack an incredible number of protective features into one impressively lightweight package. That’s mostly down to a very clever choice of materials on the designer’s part – the power plate, for example, is made out of carbon fiber and nylon, which are two very light materials that are nevertheless effective shock absorbers.

Like the women’s version (see below), these shoes feature Pearl staples such as a SELECT insole for longitudinal and transverse arch support and a closure mechanism designed for a secure and versatile fit to suit feet of all shapes. Little wonder these Pearl iZUMi cycling shoes are preferred by so many competitive cyclists! More details HERE.

Shimano 2014 Men’s All-Around Road Cycling Shoes

These Shimano cycling shoes are not just designed for maximum protection, but maximum performance as well. The base of the shoe is streamlined to ensure that power is effectively transmitted through the shoe and into the pedal so all your hard work won’t be wasted. The asymmetrical strap closure preserves ankle flexibility for more effective cycling.

As far as comfort goes, you’ll really appreciate these shoes come the hot summer months. These shoes are optimized for moisture-nicking to prevent your socks from becoming sodden with sweat. Throw in generous cushioning and you’ve got a pair of shoes even the pickiest cyclist would be happy with. More details HERE.

Shimano Venzo Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycling SPD Shoes

Another pair from Shimano, these are perfect for those long rides when your numb and sore feet start to slip out of the pedal – which is not only uncomfortable, but also potentially dangerous.

We’ve seen that clipped in pedals are starting to gain huge popularity among competitive cyclists for this very reason and these Shimano shoes come with compatible pedals and cleats to show off the best of Shimano’s highly acclaimed SPD clipped in pedal series.

Despite being clipped in, these shoes are designed to preserve maximum ankle rotation and are lightweight enough that you can still feel the pedal through the shoe, which is important for quick and responsive bike handling. With their snug fit and superb breathability, these Shimano cycling shoes are some of the most comfortable around. More details HERE.

The Best Women’s Cycling Shoes

My reviews of the following two women’s cycling shoes is largely down to good friends Jane and Susan – thanks ladies!

Shimano SH-WR35 Women’s Road Cycling Shoe

This cycling shoe is one of the most comfortable shoes on the market. In fact, they’re positively luxurious. The synthetic leather shoe contains mesh uppers for superb breathability, keeping your feet cool in the summer. Moreover, the Velcro straps are specially angled to ensure a perfect fit for feet of all widths (hence their asymmetrical look) and prevent blisters. They also offer world-class protection.

The malleable insole, made specifically to fit women, ensures the sole conforms to the shape of your foot, which is crucial for effective impact absorption. Combine this with the glass fiber midsole plate, which provides support for the small bones of the feet and the ankle joints, and you have one of the finest specimens of cycling shoes around. They’re not cheap, but they’re packed with modern features and well worth the money. More details HERE.

Pearl iZUMi Women’s W All-Road II Cycling Shoe

Cycling is a surprisingly high-impact sport, especially if you’re cycling over uneven terrain (and hey, you can even do some damage to your muscles on an indoor trainer!), and the best cycling shoes absorb shock effectively to prevent injury to your leg joints and feet.

When it comes to such protection, these Pearl iZUMi shoes are the ones to beat. Injuries to the instep are the most common, but these shoes stave off such injuries with an anatomic closure and a SELECT insole widely acclaimed for its arch support. What’s more, the built-in power-plate has a concave shape, allowing it to better redistribute pressure on the arch along the entire base of the foot. If you are susceptible to foot injuries, these shoes are definitely a vital investment. More details HERE.

 

Cycling shoes should be one of the first additions to any cyclist’s arsenal of cycling accessories. As you’ve seen, the very best cycling shoes not only boost your performance, but can also have major benefits for your safety and comfort!

We’ve recently switched over to Strava to keep track of our training sessions (after being firm believers of Endomondo), and have been enjoying their info and stats we compile as we cycle along our merry way.

>>> THREE great ways to stay motivated

Came across this video this morning and thought we should add it to the site, especially for those of you looking for a bit of inspiration.

We all have our own little cycling rituals, what’s yours?

We moved to Strava mainly because of Strava’s ability to track virtual training sessions, something we hope to really dig into soon!

UPDATE: We have a new updated list for 2018 right here.

With 2015 now nearing its final few weeks, it’s time to take a look at some of the stationary bike trainers you should be looking at buying in 2015.

There are some great options out there for all budgets and skill levels and we’ve tested many of them, and reviewed a fair number too. Trainers range in price from around $50-60 to well over the $300 threshold; and while some indoor trainers out there aren’t always what they should, or could, be, we’ve collected the FIVE trainers we think you really should be considering in 2015.

The deciding factor for us in selecting them here is the quality and value for money you can get from each bike trainer. Because let’s face it, we all work hard for the money, and getting the best value for our hard-earned dollars is an absolute must in this day and age.

So, expect to add one of these to your training regime real soon…

Ever classy for 2015: the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine

The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine truly is one of the best stationary bike trainers money can buy. We’ve been riding one (on and off) for over 3 years now, and have to say the trainer is one of the best we’ve ever experienced.

The Road Machine is a fluid-based bicycle trainer perfect for the serious cyclist who wants to get some serious winter training under their belts. Renowned for its non-leaking fluid chamber and a huge flywheel that means stability and resistance, the Road Machine will even take wheels up to 29 inches.

Not the cheapest trainer out there, but with the superb brand of Kurt Kinetic behind it, this is one trainer where you get amazing bang for your buck. The trainer was also redesigned in 2014, tweaking that perfection even higher!

We highly recommend this one – read our full review here.

HOT TIP: Grab the Kurt Kinetic training mat too, it’s a perfect match and will enhance your training session immensely!

Another long-time bestseller: the CycleOps Fluid 2 Trainer

Another superb indoor trainer you should take into consideration is the CycleOps Fluid 2. The CycleOps trainer has the brand name of CycleOps behind it, instantly recognizable by the serious cyclists of you out there. As a result, it’s not hard to see why this trainer has long featured on the bestseller lists on online stores like Amazon.

We have enjoyed a number of sessions ourselves on this baby (see our review here), and just recently ordered one for ourselves, as it looks like CycleOps have done some minor but superb renovations this year and created an even better Fluid trainer. We’ll be posting some updates about that soon, so keep an eye out for them!

It’s priced a little cheaper than the Kinetic Road Trainer (see above) and in our opinion is almost on the same level, so well worth purchasing.

Budget heaven for 2015: the cheap and cheerful Magnet Trainer

Ignore the bad instructions that come with this trainer; this has to be the best value trainer you’ll comer across online.

We’re still not sure how they built this stand so cheaply in order for it to sell for around $50-60, but there are a ton of happy customers and reviewers online so they are obviously doing something right.

Obviously it’s cheap, and perfect for those of you looking to invest “lightly” in a training regime, or for the beginners of you out there who are not so keen to invest $200+ in a trainer just yet…it also has five resistance settings that seem to keep most beginners happy, is fairly solid, and some even suggest its fairly quiet. Read more about it here.

One caveat we have to add here: you typically get what you pay for. So don’t expect a fancy training stand with this one, because it’s really not. Although it could be your gateway to a new indoor training hobby! And if you’re looking for alternative budget options, don’t miss our guide to the best trainers under $80.

Top quality that often gets overlooked: the Cascade Fluid Pro

We discovered this trainer in 2014, and have to say, were mightily impressed.

The Cascade Fluid Pro doesn’t have the big name branding behind it like the CycleOps and Kurt Kinetic mentioned above, but this trainer is another one built to last with tremendous quality. The thermally sealed fluid chamber, for example, should see leak-free sessions for some years…

It’s also notoriously quick and easy to setup, is very stable when setup, and gives one heck of a smooth, quiet ride. Of course there are cheaper trainers out there, but as we’re talking about the BEST trainers to consider buying in 2015, this one has to be on the list!

As an added bonus, this trainer comes with its own riser stand, something that other trainers don’t, and which can set you back another $20. Read our full review of the Cascade Fluid Pro here.

So real you can almost feel the wind in your hair: the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roller

Well, no list of the best stationary bike stands is complete without this one, the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roller.

If you’re looking for a bike trainer that really does offer you the realism of being out on the road, then this trainer is for you. It doesn’t come cheap – it’s typically priced at around $500 – but this is one for the serious cyclists of you out there, those of you who really want to get the ultimate ride in your training sessions.

Why is it so expensive? we hear you cry…well, its unique side to side rocking action is what makes it so special. So special, it really does feel like you are climbing a hill when you get pedaling. Yes, it almost feels like you can feel the breeze around your ears! And thanks to a large flywheel, that stability and resistance is also there to really get those legs pumping.

Highly recommended if you can afford to spend a few more more $$$.

Read our full review of the Rock and Roller here.

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Don’t forget to read our Buying Guide which provides a quick summary of many of the leading stationary trainers out there on the market today!

And if money isn’t an issue, check out the BEST 3 trainers money can buy!

For those of you looking for a very decent priced trainer, perhaps one that will kick-start your indoor training adventure, the Magnet Indoor Trainer is a great buy.

With many of the decent stationary bike trainers on the market costing upwards of a hundred dollars, with many like the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and CycleOps Fluid 2 trainers setting you back around $300, the Magnet trainer hits that sweet spot for those of you with a budget of less than $100 (it does, of course, make our list of best trainers for under $80).

You can expect to pay only $65 to $80 for it online, depending on how generous the manufacturer’s are feeling on a particular day. At that price you’d be forgiven for expecting a rickety machine that falls over the moment you start pedaling, but this magnetic bike trainer is actually a very well-made machine. This trainer has constantly made the bestseller list for the last couple of years and you’re about to find out why…

Click here for the very best price on Amazon for this Magnet indoor trainer As it’s currently UNAVAILABLE, we’d suggest trying one of these awesome budget trainers!

What impressed us about the Magnet trainer?

The success of any stationary bike trainer turns on the riding experience it offers and this Magnet Exercise Trainer delivers a premium riding experience at a budget price.

Stability is very important when it comes to indoor trainers and this one doesn’t disappoint. Even when you’re pedaling ferociously and hitting top speed, the machine feels sturdy. In addition, this stationary bike trainer offers excellent resistance throughout its range. It might not offer quite as much resistance as fluid based trainers, but those cost easily twice as much and you always have the option of gearing up for extra resistance.

The magnetic resistance mechanism is nice and smooth – you won’t get the jerky resistance changes you sometimes encounter with cheap trainers – and the resistance intensifies as your speed increases, giving you a vigorous and challenging workout.

In terms of comfort, the Magnet Indoor Trainer definitely exceeds expectations. It’s not the quietest machine around since you’ll definitely be able to hear the flywheel spinning, but it’s not so noisy as to be intrusive. If you’re watching television or listening to music while training, the noise won’t interfere with your entertainment. We must, however, add one proviso – if you use heavy mountain bike tires with deep treads, the machine will be rather loud, but that applies to all stationary bike trainers and not just this budget one. We always recommend purchasing a trainer tire, they’re extremely cost-effective and a superb noise reducer!

We also found that this bike trainer does a decent job of keeping the flywheel cool. We still wouldn’t recommend touching the wheel immediately after an intense training session, but we can’t imagine a scenario where you’d want to go and do that…

Take into consideration…

It should be noted that if you’re intending to buy the Magnet indoor bike trainer, you ought to give some serious thought to purchasing two accessories.

The first is a wheel block to lift up the front wheel. You’ll find it much easier to stay seated with the front wheel elevated.

The second is an adapter for road bikes. This trainer is primarily designed for hybrid or mountain bikes, but it can be easily used for road bikes as well if you buy an adapter designed to fit the quick-release skewer featured on most road bicycles. Without this adapter, your bicycle might not be firmly held in place, which could be a little unsafe.

Hybrid and mountain bike owners can be rest assured that this trainer will fit their bikes just fine – it’s designed to fit 26”, 27” and 700 cc bike tires so you’re unlikely to encounter problems if you have one of those wheel sizes.

So, bang for your buck?

If budget is your primary concern, this Magnet Indoor Exercise Trainer simply epitomizes value for money, and gets a rip-roaring 10 out of 10 from us on the value front. It manages to equal or even outperform stationary trainers that cost well over a hundred dollars, and for those of you starting out, it really is one of the best options out there.

Of course, if you’re expecting a whole bunch of bells and whistles, you’re likely to be disappointed. Head on over to our current bestseller list if you’re keen on something just a little better.

It’s no wonder that there are over 900 happy reviewers on sites like Amazon, making this trainer the No. 1 bestseller!

Click here for the very best price on Amazon for this Magnet indoor trainer As it’s currently UNAVAILABLE, we’d suggest trying one of these awesome budget trainers!

We came across this post from the guys at CycleOps recently and had a chuckle. It just kind of sums up perfectly why an indoor bike trainer is the ultimate solution for staying fit during the rainy season. Have you bought yours yet?

We’re big fans of some of the high-end trainers out there, especially the Kurt Kinetic and CycleOps models, but it looks like there is a new high-end trainer to rival these guys – the Bkool Pro Turbo Trainer.

Admittedly, the Bkool trainer isn’t just a trainer that you slot your bike in and then start pedaling away – it’s so much more than that! With an amazing FREE simulator you can connect up with your laptop or tablet and enjoy literally thousands of videos and riding sessions, as well as ride alongside your friends wherever they may be in the world!

Virtual training simulators are fast becoming the perfect solution for those of you wanting a totally realistic experience. And while we’ve cycled endless kilometers on our various trainers, the fun we’ve had with the Bkool Pro has taken our enjoyment levels up a level – or three! The simulator is downloadable from the Bkool website and is perfect for Windows and Mac computers, as well as iPad and Android tablets.

Check out the latest deals for the Bkool Pro Trainer NOW

Who the heck are Bkool?

Great question! You probably haven’t heard of Bkool if you’re in the US, as they’re based in Europe, originally from Spain I believe. But they have fast become one of the bestselling models out there, at least in the high-end segment. And when you compare what you get with the Bkool versus other trainers in the same bracket, you’ll see you’re getting a whole lot of trainer for a whole lot LESS $$$!

Some of the major benefits out-of-the-box with this Bkool trainer:

• The simulator has an amazing 3D World, with almost every race route in the world for you to ride.
• It comes with some amazing features – see below for the full list.
• It’s HALF the cost of similar trainers pushing a virtual world, notably models like the Tacx iGenius.
• Your trainer comes with 1 year of Premium membership, which lets you team up with friends, enjoy thousands of sessions and routes, and other various features (see the full comparison between Premium and Basic here).

Here’s a taster of what the Bkool trainer is all about…

[youtube width=”600″ height=”370″]http://youtu.be/zSxRT2boveY[/youtube]

What impressed us about the Bkool Pro?

As we mentioned above, the Bkool Pro comes with a virtual training simulator that really does take the realism up a level. You might have been impressed with the Rock N’Roller from Kurt Kinetic, but this trainer is in another league.

But it’s not just the simulator we were impressed with.

First up, this new Pro model is an improvement on their Classic model, meaning it’s a little quieter, more stable (with extendable support legs), and has an in-built cadence system that eliminates the need for an external device (the Classic trainer needs an external device). There’s also an electromagnetic braking system to be impressed with, which ensures the Bkool software controls your resistance, especially useful when climbing hills.

Even setting up the trainer is easy. It just slots together; you replace the rear skewer in your wheel (as you do for any decent trainer these days), and then pop it on the trainer (it also comes with a front wheel support). You then just register on the Bkool website, download the simulator, and then plug in the trainer and connect with your supplied ANT and USB.

The USB lets the Bkool software and trainer wirelessly communicate with each other so that your ride data (your cadence and power) can be tracked and used by the software; in turn, the resistance levels are automatically adjusted according to the route you selected. Pretty impressive eh?

In addition to that easy setup, you’ve got a very powerful trainer; powerful enough to ramp up 1200W of energy on a progressive curve. It makes your riding session feel like you are out there on the road, which is what any of us indoor cyclists are really after, right? The electronics on this baby are quite impressive; basically it’s the result of combining biomechanical engineering with the most powerful cycling software.

And once you’ve wrapped up training for the day, it’s easily fold-able so can be stored away out of sight if needed.

It didn’t take us long to be convinced by this trainer!

Why you should consider the Bkool Pro Trainer

If you’re seriously looking to ramp up your indoor training sessions, then the Bkool Pro is as good as you’re going to get. We mentioned the iGenius from Tacx which is its equivalent, but the Bkool Pro is definitely better value.

It’s certainly high-end, which means you’re going to pay around $650-$700, but for a virtual trainer that’s pretty well unheard of.

It’s also easy to see how you can become addicted to indoor training with this baby; we played around with some of the very cool software and routes but there’s plenty more to discover and we have a feeling we’ll be enjoying this trainer long into Spring / Summer…

An awesome trainer, and highly recommended.

NOTE: We are aware that the European version of the Bkool website has a free trail offer, which ships you for free. However, this is not currently available in the US, though the guys at Bkool told me it is definitely on the cards. If so, I think this will make the Bkool Pro unbeatable.