I recently bought one, but haven't tried it yet. I live in LA and have decent weather most of the year. Now I'm thinking about returning it, 'cause I probably won't need it very often. Are they usefull to have around just in case? Thanks (I know this is a sort of a dumb question)

I recently bought one, but haven't tried it yet. I live in LA and have decent weather most of the year. Now I'm thinking about returning it, 'cause I probably won't need it very often. Are they usefull to have around just in case? Thanks (I know this is a sort of a dumb question)


I hate the indoor trainer. But, it can be useful. For those of us who live in harsher climates than yours, it is a necessary evil. But, even in LA there have to be days when you rather would not ride outdoors (high winds, rain, smog from brush fires, etc.). I got a great deal of use out of my trainer a year ago when I broke my shoulder and was told that I could not ride on the roads for two months. Finally, if you want to do structured workouts, I find that it is easier to do them on the indoor trainer than it is outside where you have to worry about traffic and other conditions.

I agree about keeping it around--I used to live in LA, and there are days when you won't want to ride outdoors. There's another issue, though: It costs the shop something to order the trainer, stock it and sell it to you, and if you return it, it'll cost them more to do that paperwork and return it to stock. The deal won't break them, but why should they have to pay because your situation changed?

I recently bought one, but haven't tried it yet. I live in LA and have decent weather most of the year. Now I'm thinking about returning it, 'cause I probably won't need it very often. Are they usefull to have around just in case? Thanks (I know this is a sort of a dumb question)

Keep it. A trainer is invalueble because it allows you to produce the same workouts time and time again. This goes a long way in serious training, especially intervals.

I agree about keeping it around--I used to live in LA, and there are days when you won't want to ride outdoors. There's another issue, though: It costs the shop something to order the trainer, stock it and sell it to you, and if you return it, it'll cost them more to do that paperwork and return it to stock. The deal won't break them, but why should they have to pay because your situation changed?.....

Keep it...

Even though I used to live somewhere with great weather, like Mark S, I needed mine in the summer after breaking a bone. For me it was just a rib, but I could only hold onto the handlebars with one hand, or sit up. It kept me from going stir crazy! Now, I live MUCH further north, and the sun sets at 5 pm so by the time I get home from work its sub zero and dark... The trainer is my friend!

and never opened the box. I spoke to the salesperson, and he said no problem. I will be charged a restock fee and the original shipping, plus I must pay the return shipping. Seems fair to all concerned.....

. . . and they are sometimes necessary for warm up at races. You can't always warm up on the course. I agree that they are sometimes better for intervals, as well.

Thanks to all (well, almost all) for the replies. I don't know many roadies, so it's good to have this forum to go to to ask questions.

i just got more into road riding too...riding a few centuries here and there and bought a trainer this month. i work long hours and with this winter, wanted to keep up my riding. last year i got lights and did a few mtn bike rides.... but it was soem work to pack up the car and get all dressed up to go ride.

i've done a few rides on the trainer now (got it earlier this month) and you do definitely get a workout and with a dvd or tivo, you can catch up on stupid shows or get a super great workout using cts or spinveral dvds. i bought a set of cts on ebay and have done a couple... asked for the spinvervals for christmas =)

still do long rides on the weekends, though...which is great about being in so cal. it was like 80deg last sat!

john

I recently bought one, but haven't tried it yet. I live in LA and have decent weather most of the year. Now I'm thinking about returning it, 'cause I probably won't need it very often. Are they usefull to have around just in case? Thanks (I know this is a sort of a dumb question)