On a related note, one thing that I recently realized is that the cooler winter weather is really screwing up my triathlon training. While I'm still going to the gym regularly (these pesky holiday/travel interruptions notwithstanding) and I've ramped up my running (Cowtown Marathon in February), all through the summer I was doing 4+ hour/60+ mile bike rides every weekend ... and that hasn't happened since before Thanksgiving.
This wouldn't be a problem except that I'm doing a half-Ironman triathlon in less than 3 months, and the "Long Slow Distance" (LSD :-P) is critical in building up aerobic capacity. (Note to self: never sign up for a long-distance tri or biking event early in the season; I'll be much better prepared for it in late summer/early fall).
So, as an alternative, I ordered/purchased a spin bike this past weekend: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11229007
I heard some very persuasive arguments about why I should get a road bike trainer instead (cheaper: $250-300 vs $700; log hours on "your own bike") - and I will look into them in the future but these reasons sealed the deal for me:
- Zero set-up time. Trainer set-up may only take 5-10 minutes, but that still may be 5-10 minutes too much. Convenience minimizes workout inertia.
- Unlike my road bike, the spin bike will stay indoors so it won’t get dirty. This means that I can put it in any room of my house - i.e., the media room. (I'm thinking "Spin and a Movie" - spin bike + Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Trilogy = 12-hour, 200-mile, bike ride!)
- My wife gave her thumbs-up. She wants something "sturdy" and wants to ride it too. (And if I get a trainer later, we can "ride" together.)
- It's from Costco - with their awesome return policy, if I don't like it, back it goes. :-)
Hmmm, now I own a $350 bike for races and a $700 bike that goes nowhere. That's so messed up ...
18 comments:
Andy, you nailed it with #1 - the setup can often be the deal-breaker when deciding whether to ride the trainer or not!
I just got a spin bike today at Costco. It was the Spinner Velo XT Star Trac. The fly wheel on the bike has some pitting which causes the spin not to be smooth when the resistance knob is turned. It is a bit annoying with a friction sound. Other than that it seems to work
OK.
So far the bike seems pretty good to me. I agree that there is a friction sound (from the pad rubbing against the flywheel) but it is quieter than the "Kaiser" spin bikes at my gym. And I don't notice it anyway because I usually have music or the TV on while riding.
The main annoyance that I have with the bike is that it takes too many turns of the resistance knob to adjust the tension. It makes it a little cumbersome to quickly go from "flat road" to "hill".
Just keep the box in case you end up deciding to return.
I returned a Champion spinner bike to Costco after almost a year, when the resistance system (felt pads) developed a squeak that wouldn't go away (even though the company that made it did). Had receipt, didn't need the box. I wouldn't have disassembled the bike anyway. I'm researching the Star Trac which is new in my Costco, so the input is appreciated.
I just bought same spin bike at Costco. I haven't taken it out of the box and wanted to know if pedals flip over for standard clip in with cycling shoes? It was tough to tell on the demo at the store. Thanks for any help.
Yes, the pedals flip over, and you can use SPD-type cleats with it or just use the cages with regular running shoes.
It also has a standard seat post so that you can swap in another seat, but I've found the stock seat to be fine.
More info/specs at http://www.ironmanfitness.com/product.php?id=crossover&cat=bikes
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