 Something cheap and cheerful that folds and is easy to get bike in and out (98 marin riftzone), but provides a decent workout.
To aid my c2c trainin - dont have time to get out durin the week.
All opinions/advice appreciated...
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 don't do it! :-)
honestly, it seems like a good idea in principle but once you get one and realize how tedious it is it'll soon find it's wat to the back of the cupboard!
If you do have to get one, I went for a cheapish Minoura Hyper Mag from wiggle. If you want to do it properly and actually gain from it though you'll really want one that's got an rpm counter so you can properly train with it, also an HRM is very usefull too.
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 Don't get a wind resistance one, unless you buy some ear plugs at the same time, magnetic ones are a lot quieter.
And unless you are using a spare wheel with a slick on it, knobblies make a hell of a lot of noise and don't pedal very smoothly either.
If you haven't got a spare wheel and have got to use knobblies then you need one of the Minoura ones that works on the rim instead of the tyre.
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 I second MD. Don't do it!! Esp in the middle of summer!!!!!
I had one once and it was the most boring experience I've ever had.
Just run up and down the stairs a bit. Least the view changes slightly.....
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My tip is, if you want to improve fitness reasonably quickly. Get a singlespeed!
Honest, forget the whole fashion thing, get out and ride one for a few weeks, then go back to your geared bike and see how much fitter/faster you are...
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 I did ok with my Tacx Basic (not really cheap and cheerful) last winter.
At the end of a busy day, 60 mins of mindless tedium while listening to the footy on Radio 5 (there's always footy on Radio 5) made a relaxing end to the day.
I reckon its an ok way to get a regular spin in for the time management challenged.
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Has anybody got one of the more complex Turbo trainners? (e.g. Tacx Grand Excel) Are they worth the extra reddies and do they make it any less boring?
What about those cycling exercise machines with built in training programs etc (e.g. ettler FX1, Tunturi E6) - are these better than watching paint dry? Is the seating position all wrong for MTB's?
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opps! "Kettler FX1" not "ettler FX1"
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 I have got the tacx I-magic which hooks up to PC so you can race against other riders on road / mtb terrain.
Its stunning, in winter it gives you an extra training session.
You can store your best rides (and other peoples) and then ride against them.
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Tyrone,
Had a look at the Tacx website the I-magic looks good.
Does the I-Magic
a) Alter the resistance as you hit the hills.
b) Can you manually set the required resistance in watts?
c) Is it noisey?
d) Does it just monitor heart rate or can it change things to keep a constant heart rate?
e) Can you down-load new courses from the internet?
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db,
a) Yes it does, there is a brake on the back wheel that alters resistance.
b) I think on the new catalyst training software (that is a free download) you can do this... not 100% sure
c) I don't think so .. certainly quieter than a air resistance one.
d) refer to b)
e) yes, you don't just have to have tacx courses, there are others.
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Also you can upgrade the Basic, Excel or Grand Excel with i-Magic (it's the same resistance unit)
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 I have a computrainer which I used a lot during winter, I would suggest getting a basic mag trainer, and buying some of the workout videos that are available. I dont know if you have spinning classes in the UK, but they are a good way to get in shape and watch some hotties at the same time......
Since I moved to Arizona I havent used the trainer at all hee hee.
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 I've just purchased the Minoura Mag 500 trainer from Wiggle. Who-ever said it was noisy with knobblies was spot on! Ha ha ha. I've been getting in from summer riding, chilling for an hour than setting it up in the front of the TV whilst watching the Tour de France, and finding it good fun. I cycle every day to work (roughly 13-14 miles per day) and sometime just can't be assed to hit the road/trails at the weekends and would rather just watch telly, at least now I can do that and still get some exercise!!
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'good fun'
....you're not doing it right then!!! :o)
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to those buying super fancy and expensive turbo trainers, wouldn't the money be better off spent on getting better lights?
a HID lightset will cost about the same and offer far more fun!!!
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 I have a Volare Elite that does the job. I think of it as punishment for not getting out properly more often. But then I do live in the middle of London, and while I feel like dying when on it, at least I don't actually get killed! It does improve fitness fast though.
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"to those buying super fancy and expensive turbo trainers, wouldn't the money be better off spent on getting better lights?"
Thought about lights but the 46 mountain bike routes close to where I live aren't open in winter (Vienna Forrest), plus a lot of snow/ice stops play in the winter. http://www.mbike.at/mtb1/default.asp?medium=mtb_ww
Click on "alle strecken"
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Just noticed they added another route, make that 47.
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I've got better lights ...
Just you can't get muddy every night in winter its a pain in neck.
Its too supplement your training not to replace it.
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