If you are looking to purchase the best fluid trainer for your needs, we have reviewed some of the most popular models of bike trainer to help you make your selection.
Tips for purchasing a fluid bike trainer
A fluid bike trainer operates by using turbine oil, which heats up as you ride, and is forced through a chamber. This reaction causes an impeller to spin, which then spins either a metal or plastic roller. The flywheel on the opposite side then rotates with your tyre, so ideally you’re going to want to look for the most efficient fluid trainer.
– Turbine oil definitely can get eaten up quickly if you’re riding for a few hours a week, so, look for efficiency.
– Make sure that your trainer is easy to setup, you don’t want to be faffing around for too long before you can get going.
– Check the flywheel weight – the heavier the flywheel, the better performance and road-ride-realism you’re going to get out of it.
Fluid Trainer Comparison Guide
Below is a quick overview of a selection of different fluid trainers, and their pros and cons to help you choose the best fluid trainer for your needs.
Cascade Health & Fitness FluidPro
Available in Silver or Orange, this bike trainer boasts is compact and very lightweight, coming in at under 40 pounds. It also offers smooth resistance, which progresses as you pedal harder and can be increased by adjusting the front riser to one of three different height options.
Pros:
- Compact & Lightweight.
- Includes Riser Block for adjusting height.
- Lifetime Warranty.
- Can be used with a mountain bike (providing you swap the rear tyre to a slick).
- No Assembly Required.
Cons:
- The legs and resistance breaks don’t have a lock-out system, this means that stability may be affected for some riders.
CycleOps Fluid2
Available in black, this bicycle trainer is the best-selling trainer on the market, built in the United States with 100% recyclable, non-rusting materials. It has adjustable foot pads to allow you to ride on whatever surface you like, and comes with a lifetime warranty from CycleOps.
Pros:
- CycleOps Best-Selling Trainer.
- Made in the United States with 100% recyclable materials.
- Fully Adjustable.
- Lifetime Warranty.
- Has the name-brand recognition that other trainers do not.
Cons:
- No out-of-saddle sprinting capabilities.
- As a premium product it is not the cheapest of the fluid bike trainer option.
Kinetic Road Machine 2.0
This mean green fluid trainer is mostly utilized by beginner riders to the fluid bike trainer scene. Like the Cascade trainer, it also uses progressive resistance; this better simulates a real road-ride. It comes fully assembled and receives high praise for reliability. It also comes with a lifetime warranty from Kinetic, and a watt meter to gauge your power output.
Pros:
- Comes ready-to-use.
- Lifetime Warranty for peace of mind.
- Wattmeter included for power-output tracking.
- Great for beginners.
- Re-designed to solve oil-leakage problems experienced by some other fluid trainers.
Cons:
- Perhaps more of an aesthetic – but some customers don’t love the lime-green, preferring colors that match their bicycle.
- Lacks a tightening system to allow you to cinch your roller and tyre closer together.
Schwinn Fluid Resistance Bicycle Trainer
The Schwinn has an unusually wide-frame leg stance that remains stable, no matter how much pressure you’re putting on those legs (both yours, and it’s!). It’s also incredibly lightweight at only 18.9 pounds. It has been known to be a little louder than some other models, depending on your riding speed.
Pros:
- Unusual leg design provides stability.
- Easy assembly and disassembly.
- Inexpensive with basic settings.
- Intuitive setup and ease-of-use.
Cons:
- Can be noisier than some other models.
Comparison Chart
| Fluid Trainer | Fuel Efficiency | Ease of Setup | Road- Ride Realism | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwinn Fluid Resistance | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | Check Price |
| Kinetic Road Machine 2.0 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★1/2 | Check Price |
| CycleOps Fluid2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★1/2 | Check Price |
| Cascade Health & Fitness | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | Check Price |
Each of the trainers reviewed above could have a place in your home. When considering the best fluid trainer for you, think about your riding level, the style of riding you want to do, any aesthetic considerations that are important to you, and your price range. You could go with the trusted and most-well-known brands in CycleOps or Kinetic, or for the more budget conscious, the slightly less well-known brands like Schwinn and Cascade that still deliver some great features.
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