A trainer is a piece of equipment that permits to ride a bicycle without moving ahead. They are generally used to get ready for races or when the outside riding conditions are unfavorable. With a trainer you can also train in a gym, or right at your home, where you can do other things too, such as watching TV at the same time.

A trainer includes a frame, a camp to securely hold the bicycle, a roller pressing up against the rear wheel, plus a mechanism that gives resistance as the pedals are turned. In a wind trainer, the roller drives fan blades responsible for air resistance. They are generally the least costly and loud trainers. Magnetic trainers are moderately costly and moderately loud. Fluid trainers are liquid-filled chambers to make resistance and they are the most costly and silent trainers.

Trainers allow to effectively build bicycle skills and power in a controlled environment and without the constant interruptions of outdoor riding. Trainers also provide superior preparation for racing than any stationary bikes. Trainers need superior technique and deliver more realistic-feeling ride.

Certain trainers are equipped with sensors that keep an eye on the rider’s performance. Different metrics can be transmitted electronically, such as power output, virtual speed, heart rate or cadence. Their analysis is helpful in modifying the rider’s training.

Bicycle trainers are classified based on how the unit creates resistance.

  1. Wind – it uses a fan to provide resistance on the rear tire. Resistance increases with rider’s speed. Disadvantages: noise and restricted resistance.
  2. Magnetic – a magnetic flywheel is responsible for the resistance on the rear wheel. Advantages: almost silent operation; disadvantages: resistance has an upper limit.
  3. Fluid – it is a mixture of magnetic flywheel and fluid resistance chambers. Advantages: almost silent magnetic operation with extra progressive resistance. Disadvantages: the constant expansion and contraction of the fluid might end up in seal leaks.
  4. Mechanical – a belt on an adjusted magnetic flywheel trainer transmits motion to a weighty spinning flywheel. Advantages: pedal powered clean clothes. Disadvantages: serious do-it-yourself engineering is needed, as a deficient design needs a string cyclist.
  5. Virtual Reality – it is a simulator, with the rear wheel sitting on a motorized roller, while the front forks fit in a frame with steering sensors and the entire system is connected to a computer with virtual world software. Advantages: the virtual world is huge and it will most certainly catch and hold your interest. You could even fit your own bike into it. Disadvantages: it is quite expensive and a computer is required with a modern graphics card and a monitor.