I am thinking of purchasing an indoor trainer for the winter season. I have used a fluid trainer the last couple of years but don't like the resistance and the wear on by bike equipment, Just want to know if anyone has experience with these bikes. I'd like a bike that can record and display power and distance along with heart rate info.

I have a friend who just got one. He loves it.

I prefer the trainer...but to each his own

Just got the base model. I like it, more so for convenient workouts. It's very solid, but not too different than most spin bikes. It's also good for building leg strenght and doing interval workouts. Just like the trainer, it can get a little tedious, but i can watch videos while working out. Plus, no missed days due to weather. I'd rather be out on the bike, but this makes up for all of the times I can't.

I have one and I like but I would also check out the Kettler ergoracer. It not as loud and it freewheels.

Have you used a Kettler? I've just l taken a look at them on the web and they look like a nice unit. But I'd also hate to spend $1600 on a trainer to find out that I would rather spend it on the Cycleops.

Were you saying the Kettler is quieter or the Cycleops?

a couple years ago and am happy with it. Provides all the info you want except power (watts), need to go to the top of the line for that feature. Especially like the graphing abilities when plugged into my laptop (software provided by Cycleops).

I have a smidge over 1,800 miles on it, one service call this year to adjust bearings. Otherwise, bomb proof and extremely stable (six adjustment feet).

Have never compared to Kettler. Mines relatively quiet - very smooth - no freewheeling ability.

Bill

I've got the middle of the line, I like it but I wish I'd bought the top of line for the power meter cause it can't be added later.

Just wanted to thank everyone for the input! Just pulled the trigger on the Kettler ErgoRacer GT because of the watts feature and the price. Just could not justify spending the $1900 dollars on the Cycleops, hope that doesn't bite me in the ass. Once I receive the bike and put some miles on it I will put out a post to review this product. Since I didn't fine much on the forums about either of these two bikes I might as well try and help the next guy.

So jammer, what's the verdict with the Kettler so far? Do you like it OK?

I think I'm about to buy a Keys Ironman 112m cycle trainer.
Thanks and happy new year,
jerry

Ordered it a week ago and still waiting for it to come. It is scheduled to be here around the 15th of January. I will post here after I get it and have a week or so on the machine.

jammer, any more info on your decision? I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a indoor trainer and you like to know how you like it.

Have had it just over a week now and have about 8 hours on it. The Kettler is very quite and the resistance is very repeatable. The pre-programmed intervals are a little to easy for my liking but there were better ones that you can download from the KettlerUSA site.

I will probably at some point purchase the software to record all workouts and have the ability for custom routes during training.