Considering CycleOps Stationary Spin Bike

vheredia

Hi Coach.

I have just done my first IM at Chattanooga (12:10). I had a blast after a 10 week EN training (Intermediate IM Program). I actually started riding 12 weeks ago and I know I need to improve the bike part.

My bike time in Chattanooga was 6:46. I have a Cycleops  but didm´t start on race day. I think the battery died (puff) so i don´t have detailed data of the bike leg. 

I would like to improve my overall IM time by at least one hour in a similar course.



 live in Lake Tahoe and I would like to train over the winter. I am considering to get a preowned CycleOps Stationary Spin Bike http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BMhOSIaYL.jpg. Would that be a good idea? 



Thanks for your comments

Victor

Jim Van Atta

Victor - I've had that same stationary bike since 2007. I LOVE it. I purchased and had sent to me in Iraq...I sent it home in the mail in little pieces, carried the spin wheel in my duffle bag...it survived. I did that twice during deployments and it helped me keep my sanity and maintain decent FTP. They are built very well. I just measured specs from tri set-up and replicated on the Cycle Ops Spin bike. Plenty of seat/handlebar adjustment, so it is easy to do. You'll get some minor variation in power numbers vs your real bike set-up, but nothing you don't already see when putting a bike on the trainer and riding indoors vs outdoors. It has made logistics easier for me and saved wear and tear on my tri race bike. I hope that helps, and don't mean to interject where coaches may know more.
Jim

GMAN 19030

I have one that I used extensively for a couple of years. I really liked it. The Wahoo KICKR has since replaced it but I still have it. I'd sell it to you if it weren't for the issue of shipping something really big and really heavy.

Coach Patrick

Great advice team, thanks for your help!

Victor, congratulations on your finish. You definitely want something you can ride on indoors over the winter is that it's going to help set you up for a great season. That said, we generally prefer the people ride their own bike just on some form of stationary trainer.

But that's generally a budgetary issue. If you have the excess capital there's nothing to say that writing that stationary bike – fitted to your specifications of course – would be a fantastic alternative. As long as we end up with something you can ride all winter, I approve! :-)

vheredia

Thank you Patrick, Bob and Jim for your comments. Great advice from all of you.
I will try to get the stationary bike then (it is only $375 dlls compared to $1200 retail). I think is a no brainer according to your comments.

Coach Patrick

Yes!