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Basic Guide to Resistance Trainers

Train with precision. Resistance trainers remove all the distractions and variables of riding on the road, such as stop lights that pop up in the middle of a hard interval, or steep climbs that pop up in the middle of your recovery session. Resistance Trainers clamp the rear axle to hold your bicycle in place and apply resistance to the rear tire or rear rim.

 Resistance Types
The heart of a trainer is the resistance unit. There are a few different types of resistance units and each has advantages and disadvantages. In this how-to we will cover the pros and cons of each resistance type to help you make a more informed trainer investment.

 Wind Resistance

Wind Trainers use a fan to generate resistance.

    Advantages
    • Few moving parts
    • Produce progressive resistance, which increases as wheel speed increases
    • Smooth resistance with little vibration
    Disadvantages
    • Loud
    • Fan can be dented or bent if treated roughly
    • Resistance cannot be increased other than by increasing wheel speed

 Magnetic Resistance
Magnetic Trainers use a combination of magnets and metal plates to generate resistance.

Shop Resistance Trainers

    Advantages
    • Often have three, five or seven levels of resistance
    • Much quieter than wind trainers
    • Produces linear resistance, which stays the same regardless of wheel speed
    • Usually the most inexpensive
    Disadvantages
    • Unless equipped with a handlebar mounted remote shift lever, changing resistance levels requires dismounting.
 Fluid Resistance
Shop Resistance Trainers Fluid Trainers use a hydraulic fluid and an impeller to create resistance.

    Advantages

    • Produce progressive resistance, which increases as wheel speed increases
    • Very quiet
    • Generally, all moving parts except the roller and sometimes an external flywheel are fully enclosed in the resistance unit.
    • Available in adjustable resistance models.
    Disadvantages
    • More Expensive
 Electronic Displays and Cycle-simulators
Shop Resistance Trainers Since most cyclocomputers rely on front wheel sensors (which are useless on rear wheel mounted trainers), integrated electronics are a useful feature in indoor trainers.
    Electronic Displays generally provide ride data such as:
    • Speed
    • Distance
    • Ride Time
    • Power Output
    • Slope
    • Elevation Gain
    Cycle-simulators
    • Change the resistance according to pre-programmed routes or courses.
    • Advanced models will even connect to a PC and display the route or a 'competing rider' to push you to new levels of fitness.
    • Top models will display heart rate and other ride data as well.

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