Question for the Bikers

[kluisi61]

It seems like there are a couple people that are into biking, so I figured I would ask this question.

I have a mountain bike, and we recently bought an exercise bike (Norditrac ~$330) for my wife. I figure that I am much more likely to exercise with her (rather than on my own), but don't want to drop another $330 for a second exercise bike.

I have been looking at trainers to lift the back wheel of my mountain bike, so that I can use it as a stationary, but I have found that some of them are just as expensive as the new exercise bike. Any of you know of a cheaper option that is still good and will allow me to exercise while watching TV (a must for me)?

[Big Virgil]

I don't know jack about those type of bike trainers.  I'm guessing they are mostly for road bikes, but surely there are Mtn bike types too. 

You can check MTBR.com.  It is largely a Mountain Bike forum, and I'm sure there is info about those trainers on there. 

Is the Norditrac like a spin bike (non-electronic)?  I prefer the spin types over the electronic.

What kind of Mtn Bike do you have and do you get out to ride much?  Kluis are you in the East/Southeast?

[Big Virgil]

I did a search on mtbr for "indoor trainers" and this link has all the threads.  The 8th one by shane has some info pertaining to your question.  It looks like "decent" trainers are $150 and up.  Good luck.

http://forums.mtbr.com/search.php?searchid=8623820

[Finnegans Wake]

Cinderblocks.

[otismalibu]

A little spendy.

http://www.kurtkinetic.com/road-machine-p-35-l-en.html

Here's one for substantially less and some reviews to read.

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Motivator-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000AAYBWS

[pensodyssey]

Cinderblocks.

Awesome.  He can put the rear tire in a bucket of sand to simulate uphill biking.

[kluisi61]

What kind of Mtn Bike do you have and do you get out to ride much?  Kluis are you in the East/Southeast?

My wife and I bought the bikes to ride around our neighborhood (bike trails). We took them out 2 or 3 times before we found out she was pregnant with twins. They told her no bike riding while pregnant. Then can't take the kiddies out until 1+ years old. We could do it now, but don't have a pull behind buggy yet. I love to ride, but I don't get to do it hardly at all anymore. We're in Northern Virginia.

The bikes are Diamonback Coil EX...can't remember what model year they are, but we bought them from Dicks in '07. They seemed like very good bikes for the price. At least to me anyway.

[Big Virgil]

Pulling the kids in the kiddie is always interesting.

I used to take mine, just to get out of the houe for an hour.  I'm to cheap to buy the high end traielrs, so I bought the kind with hard plastic bottom from Target or W-mart.

They were prett little, maybe 1.5 and 3.5.  They would each prink a coulpe of books, and each had a sippy cup.  The oldest was in charge of the snacks which usually consisted of a sandwich bag filled with Goldfish.  I'd ride 30 - 45 minutes and let them out to throw rocks or what ever.  I would ride up this canyon on a service road.  It is the starting and/or ending point for some of the rides I do now.  My youngest never wanted to get back in.  Once she got out, she was done, so I would stuff her back in there, and ride as fast as I could back to the truck, with her screaming the whole way. 

Lots of fun stuff like hat to look forward to with your kids!!!!!!

[pensodyssey]

I'd ride 30 - 45 minutes and let them out to throw rocks or what ever. 

BV obviously lives a 45 minute bike ride away from Tommy Maddox.

[otismalibu]

BV obviously lives a 45 minute bike ride away from Tommy Maddox.

But how many feet is that?