5 Good Value Indoor Bike Trainer Stands for 2015

When the whether is not good enough to go outdoors - or when going outside is simply not possible - a bike trainer is essential to maintaining your bike fitness. Going from least expensive to most expensive bike trainers types include; wind, magnetic, fluid, computrainers, and rollers.

In this guide I'll start by reviewing some of my favorite budget bike trainers under $100 and slowly move up to trainers that are in excess of $1,000 for those with a higher budget.

Bell Motivator Mag Bicycle Trainer

The bell motivator makes a very good purchase for the beginner. Many users have stated that it doesn't have enough resistance for veteran cyclists to get a decent workout. It was made to have a single adjustment, progressive magnetic resistance that increases as your speed increases. Many reviews, even the good ones, state that this device is quite loud however. Most bicycle trainers are noisy to a degree though.

It is very easy to get your bike in and out of this trainer and the double adjustment centers ensure that you have a steady ride. In fact, reviews show that owners are very happy with the strong A frame of this device. Weighing around 20 pounds, it is not too cumbersome to transport when needed. It measures 8.5 x 22.1 x 20.6 inches. Users of this trainer have indicated that instructions that come with it are not as clear as the ones you can find online, so if you have any trouble in that area, use the Internet. For noise and tire wear, some recommend getting smooth road tires and underinflating the back one.

Forza F-2 Trainer

This next trainer was made with a very heavy duty frame construction and there is an axle adapter that is sold separately if you need. For even more stability on this machine, it comes with a replacement skewer that fits very tightly. Reviews show that owners find this to be a quieter trainer than others on the market, but as a trainer, it still produces some noise. It is recommended that you remember that the resistance unit goes behind the front drive wheel. The base is rubberized to help reduce noise and vibration.

The resistance is high enough that many athletes will find it can keep up with their fitness regimen. Assembly is quite easy, which are what users rave about, and the quick release skewers are included in your purchase and this makes a very handy, and user friendly workout. This makes a very good and economical purchase for someone on a budget but wants a decent machine for a good workout. Users say that it isn't as smooth of a ride as you can get with a very pricey trainer but if all you need is to bridge the gap between your workouts, then this should work just fine for you.

RAD Cycle Bike Trainer

A very light piece of equipment, this trainer is easy to transport as needed. Your resistance is delivered with the internal magnets and resistance is changed by shifting gears. It was made with extra wide legs to be very sturdy and long lasting. Owners that have used this machine intensely, say that it holds up quite well and lasts a long time. The design is new in the way that the legs are separated so you get even more stability.

This trainer will hook up to almost any bike that has a 26, 27, or 700c wheel to give you more versatility. It includes an 850 gram machined steel flywheel for a very natural pedal feel and it has a quick release foot pedal system that will keep your tire pressure even. It also includes a quick release skewer. Something you will want to keep in mind is that you must have a back tire that has a quick release or you won't be able to use this trainer. Users love how easy it is to set up and get into and out of and that the price is quite nice for the sturdy product that this trainer is.

CycleOps Fluid Bicycle Trainer

This next trainer is on the higher end of bicycle trainers but can be well worth the money. This device now has a larger flywheel that will give you a more road like feel. The power band gives you a big range in resistance without having to reach for a lever. It was made with a self-cooling mechanism that will keep your unit in better shape for longer. The manufacturer states, and many owners agree, that this trainer is actually one of the quietest ones on the market.

You get a training DVD with your purchase as well so you can have a video to follow along with as you work out; this makes a great option for beginners. Some say that this doesn't have the "road feel" that the manufacturer claims but it seems to boil down to personal preference. Reviews show that sometimes the flywheel can get loose and start making noise but an easy fix for this is to simply tighten it yourself. Most reviews show that set up is very easy, and that it is a very sturdy trainer. A popular feature is the portability and ease of storage that this trainer gives you; it is light and folds up to a small size.

Kinetic by Kurt Road Machine Bicycle Trainer

This device makes a great tool for sprinting, interval training or just plain cruising. Users agree that this trainer is also very quiet; quiet enough to hold a conversation with someone else in the room. The flywheel weighs just over 6 pounds and you are able to from coasting to 20 miles an hour in just about 15 seconds. It comes with a 2 1/8 inch roller that will help reduce your tire wear.

The purchase of this trainer does not come with a riser ring, so buyers should be aware of that. Kinetic guarantees that their trainers are also 100% leak proof. This is a very highly rated trainer by users who love how stable this machine is. This is the only trainer that has been approved for use with tandems, it operates at a very low temperature to reduce wear and tear and it is thermodynamically neutral. Assembly is easy and so is getting in and out of it which is a big issue with some cheaper versions.

Features:

Flywheel weighs 6.25-Pounds and offers a realistic coast down

15 seconds to coast down from 20 Miles per hour

The sealed fluid chamber has a magnetically coupled drive shaft and is guaranteed leak proof

Thermodynamically neutral silicone resistance fluid keeps the resistance consistent

2 - 1/8-Inch roller reduces tire wear

Riser ring not included

Blackburn Tech Mag 6 Trainer

Features:

High-performance bike trainer is the result of research conducted at Blackburn's proprietary bike trainer R&D center

Adjustable-height tubular steel frame offers outstanding stiffness and stability

Fluidly magnetic resistance units create sculpted, smooth, and progressive power curves

Mounting hardware redesigned to speed up the process; choose between six different resistance settings with bar-mounted remote

Includes limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty

Tacx Fortius Virtual Reality Multiplayer Trainer w/TTS 3.0

Features:

Offers possibility of racing against 5 opponents simultaneously anywhere in the world

New design VR interface

Includes steering frame

licence for Multiplayer software

Revolutionary high-power motor brake