Indoor stand to use my road bike during indoor sheltering

[Muse]

My sister sent me link to this Amazon offering (Amazon offering), but it's OOS and in their inglorious way aren't showing what it would cost if in stock, so I have no idea. Of course, there are lots of other things "on the market" than this.

What do these typically go for?

So, I'm wondering what would be good, is available and not asking a gouging price. Anyone know?

 

[Sgt. York]

$64.96

 

[Muse]

$64.96

Um, so that's the usual price for that Amazon listing in my OP here?

 

[Sgt. York]

I found the identical thing at Walmart for that price. Unfortunately, they're out of stock there, too.

 

[Muse]

I found the identical thing at Walmart for that price. Unfortunately, they're out of stock there, too.

Thanks for looking.

I was running up and down my steps 30x, twice a day but about 5 days ago my right leg got super sore over night. It's gotten a lot better but I'm afraid to try doing what I was doing now. I had my heart rate over 160 sometimes. I'm scared I'll seriously injure myself, the pain I had a couple days ago was pretty bad... trouble sleeping and getting up/down stairs just walking!

I could try biking the streets but seriously, I want to avoid that if possible... just the thought makes me nervous.

 

[mike8675309]

Why do you want to avoid riding on the streets? Cars? should be less of an issue now.

 

[balloonshark]

Here is a price history on that item. https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0094KIVQW

 

[Muse]

Why do you want to avoid riding on the streets? Cars? should be less of an issue now.

I could do it, but figure I'm safer inside. The cars aren't the issue, it's the virus. Yeah, I know what they've been saying but they aren't in agreement. If I can get my aerobic indoors I'd prefer that. Plus I can listen to music, and I don't want to do that riding the streets. Plus, I don't have an idea I like as to what route(s) to take. This is an urban area. It's not a scenic ride anywhere I can go.

Plus I have cervical issues... I had a pretty serious pinched nerve in my neck around 3 years ago that took me several months to get better from, but I still get tingling in my left hand/arm and pain in the neck after riding for a while. I used to ride ~12 miles/day, some 15 years ago, up in the hills, kept track with a timer, all that, but I can't do that now. On an indoor bike on a rack, I don't have to look up to see cars, peds, etc. so it's way easier on my neck.

 

[Muse]

I just ordered this:

Sportneer Bike Trainer Stand Steel Bicycle Exercise Magnetic Stand with Noise Reduction Wheel, Black $129.99

It's pricier than the one in the OP but that one can't be found at a decent price right now. This has gone up from ~$90 a month ago, but it's not astronomical. Seems to have good reviews, is pretty quiet, has built in adjustable resistance, provided front wheel block.

This video compares it to a stand that cost 3x as much (when he tested it at $90, although he was provided it by the company for his review) and it compared very favorably. Downside is the ETA is Apr. 27-30, it being from Sportneer Direct. It's a magnetic resistance stand and the one he compares it with is a fluid resistance stand. He explains at the end the difference in the technologies. There's much fancier bike trainer stands available, but I think this will work OK for me.

 

[Muse]

I just ordered this:

Sportneer Bike Trainer Stand Steel Bicycle Exercise Magnetic Stand with Noise Reduction Wheel, Black $129.99

It's pricier than the one in the OP but that one can't be found at a decent price right now. This has gone up from ~$90 a month ago, but it's not astronomical. Seems to have good reviews, is pretty quiet, has built in adjustable resistance, provided front wheel block.

This video compares it to a stand that cost 3x as much (when he tested it at $90, although he was provided it by the company for his review) and it compared very favorably. Downside is the ETA is Apr. 27-30, it being from Sportneer Direct. It's a magnetic resistance stand and the one he compares it with is a fluid resistance stand. He explains at the end the difference in the technologies. There's much fancier bike trainer stands available, but I think this will work OK for me.

A few hours after I completed my order it showed OUT OF STOCK! Got in just under the wire. I was nervous that would happen before I hit CONFIRM. Rightly so...

 

[clawhammer]

I bought a similar adjustable-resistance magnetic trainer four years ago from Amazon when I was just getting into cycling, and it's helped change my cycling life. I've ridden on a fluid trainer once or twice and it does give a slightly more road-like feel, but the magnetic trainer still does everything you want it to.

I know this is a little late, but price-wise, mag trainers are usually (at least before everyone wanted one for physical distancing) less than $100, fluid trainers are usually less than $300 or $400, and if you're really crazy you can buy smart trainers with built in resistance settings and power meters for ~$1000.

Be sure to buy a cheap rear tire to use when you're mainly just on the trainer- it will really wear down the tire over time. I got a $15 conti tire cheap off Amazon for this. Also, a fan. Get a big fan. It makes a huge difference.

Happy riding!

 

[Muse]

My mag trainer should be here within a week. Yeah, $130 is a little steep but I had no choice... I mean, it looked to be the best I could do and 4-5 hours later it was OOS! I'm actually glad I got the Sportneer rather than the one in the OP, which a couple of customers said could have insufficient resistance, forcing you to mess around with the gears. The Sportneer has a 6 setting resistance control that attaches to the handlebars.

Yeah, the rear tire. I have a couple of slick tires set aside that I replaced with my somewhat knobby 1 3/8" tires some years ago. I figure to use one of those.

I have a couple of big fans! Thanks for that tip, and the others! Actually, where I figure to put it is a room that's almost always pretty cool! But it can get warm, at least it has once or twice the last couple years what with the global warming.

I may even set up a TV there. I have a 43" 4K display I'm not using and an extra 4K player.

 

[Muse]

Received the stand 5 days ago, got everything set up 2 days later. Have done 3 sessions. Here's my setup... see the resistance control attached to bike handlebars, the 43" 4K TV, showing Planet Earth II, the big box fan (necessary!). I have android phone attached with bracket to the handlebars, showing my heart rate (Powr Labs heart rate monitor, ~$40 at Amazon) and playing music. Today I listened to music with quality earbuds and had subtiled video.

 

[Muadib]

Just ordered one myself. I'm not biking either, and don't know if I ever will. Thanks Muse!

 

[Muse]

Just ordered one myself. I'm not biking either, and don't know if I ever will. Thanks Muse!

If you don't already, it's a good idea to put a slick tire on your back wheel. It quiets down the machine a whole lot. Also, you save tire wear, IIRC. Read the reviews! I did that. It doesn't make much noise. I always have noise isolating earbuds in anyway, either listening to music or the audio from the disc I'm playing on the 43" display. Fan on... either top speed or the one just below it, depending on the temperature in the upstairs room.

I bought another back wheel, which arrived a few days ago. I intend to put my usual road bike tire on it so if and when I do decide to do some biking around town I don't have to swap tires but just swap wheels. Doesn't hurt to have a spare wheel anyway, I sure found that out last year when I had to repair broken spokes multiple times on the rear wheel!

Edit: Once I got the trainer setup to my satisfaction I haven't had to make any adjustments. I just get on and ride. I don't have the wheel that contacts the back tire cinched up very tight. I figure tight enough is tight enough. Too tight, not good, would result in something wearing out prematurely. Tight enough to maintain the friction drive without slipping is what I figure is best. I haven't changed anything in weeks including the 1 to 6 handlebar adjustment device, which I have set at 4, YMMV.

 

[Muadib]

If you don't already, it's a good idea to put a slick tire on your back wheel. It quiets down the machine a whole lot. Also, you save tire wear, IIRC. Read the reviews! I did that. It doesn't make much noise. I always have noise isolating earbuds in anyway, either listening to music or the audio from the disc I'm playing on the 43" display. Fan on... either top speed or the one just below it, depending on the temperature in the upstairs room.

I bought another back wheel, which arrived a few days ago. I intend to put my usual road bike tire on it so if and when I do decide to do some biking around town I don't have to swap tires but just swap wheels. Doesn't hurt to have a spare wheel anyway, I sure found that out last year when I had to repair broken spokes multiple times on the rear wheel!

Thanks for the tire tip. I need new tires anyway, so I’m good. If I can’t stand the noise, I’ll get a slick. I should get a back wheel so if I do go for a ride I’ll be ready.