Wednesday, April 16, 2008

indoor biking too....?

Well, I may have found a cheap bike in Budapest bringing me to a crossroad of whether to actually purchase it or not. Part of my dilemma is realizing whatever I buy here in Europe, I have to either sell, give away or get back to the states whenever I return. So, that being said, less stuff is better at the end of the day. And I have been accused (thanks Gina.....) of never really living up to the minimalist tendencies I'M SURE exist inside of me.

My next dilemma is this. There's the really cool indoor biking option that someone has invented as an indoor trainer for days like yesterday when it was pouring rain outside but you still want to bike. I found two styles of indoor trainers. There may be more.

So, I was looking at the following:
The Cycle Ops AL roller










Or the Blackburn Trackstand.






If you have any suggestions or comparisons on the two or if you know of something as an option, I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks. Can you tell that I'm leaning towards "I'd really like to get one of these indoor things and start using it with a cheap bike?"

5 comments:

BreeWee said...

My sister had the black burn trainer and didn't like it. Hers was a pretty inexpensive one that was really loud and made the tire skip (whatever she meant by that). I have a trainer that I like, just a tiny bit more expensive, so maybe you can put your bike on it before you buy it and see if it is flowing as she calls it.
The rollers, ask ELF, she uses them. I never have but my friend Jen naughty swears by them, they are more like riding but require balance and no slacking or you bike over. Good luck... get a bike :)

Unknown said...

I bought the Blackburn cheapie a couple years ago. (I think ~$150 @ REI). It worked ok. If you're using a mtn bike you're going to have to get the adjustments just right so you don't wear down the tread quickly.

You might start looking around for a cheap stationary bike instead. We've got one here that's a bit broken, but still okay to get some time while watching TV or even using the laptop. If you do find one that's ok, I might be a potential buyer for when you move.

Unknown said...

Another option that many people overlook...a folding bike! That way you can use it in conjunction w/public transport, reduce chance of it getting stolen, and can potentially take it home. Some aren't all that spendy.
I hoping if/when my bro comes over that I can get him to mule one over.

www.atob.org.uk/Buyers'_Guide.html
www.ridethisbike.com/folding_bikes.htm

akshaye said...

A whole lot of other bloggers have been raving about them. You can run a search on trainers at Wes (http://www.codegeekstail.com), Ryan (http://caughtontherun.blogspot.com) and Java Mom's (http://momistri-ing.blogspot.com/) blogs.

Jen in Budapest said...

It's Bree! Hows the Island training going? I need to get a bike! Thanks for the input. Really helpful.

Hot Meat - thanks for the input. I don't want a stationary bike. It defeats the point of getting an outside bike that you can bring indoors when you need to through this handy-dandy floor fixture. So yeah. Hmmm, a folding bike sounds interesting. I have to think about that one a lil' more.

Akshaye - thanks. I'll check their blogs out.