Mountain Equipment Co-op Ratings and Reviews
Top Rated Product
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Elite Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Outstanding value for a stable and compact cycle training machine. Progressive resistance simulates real riding by increasing as you pedal faster.
Average Customer Rating:
out of
5
7 out of 7(100%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Review 1 for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:averageguy
Location: Toronto
Age: 45-55
Gender: male
Gear Style: Performance Driven
MEC MEMBER
Great trainer for enthusiast riders
Date: March 1, 2010
Once upon a time I was an avid rider, rode some serious mileage in the summer, and quite a few hours on the rollers in the winter. Not anymore.
What I needed now was something to get a decent workout for 30 - 40 min on those rainy / snowy days when I didn't want to be outside running or riding. This fit the bill perfectly as it's very easy to attach / detach the bike from and stow away, and quiet enough to watch TV or listen to music. I find the resistance fine - if I ride a high cadence in a 53/15 I can get my HR up to the 80 - 90% range, and I've still got a couple gears to go. I can see serious riders wanting more, but I sure won't.
Overall a great trainer for an enthusiast level rider at a great price.
Pros: Simple, Good Value, Reliable
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Review 2 for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
3
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:Valley Runner
Location: Edmonton
Age: 25-34
Gender: male
MEC MEMBER
my frist trainer
Date: January 17, 2010
by far the most cost-effective (not cheapest) that i could find around town.
Easy to assemble, solidly built. It had a bit difficulty fitting narrow bikes like my old road bike. Like others have mentioned here, the resistance isn't as much as i would like, i am not that much of a rider but still have to go to my top 3 gears to get a workout.
noise is not as much as a problem as the vibration, esp if you live in an apartment. i put a few carpet piece on it and havn't gotten any complains. but some padding is definitely needed.
All and all a good buy for beginner/inter. bikers. Perhaps not so much for advanced riders.
Pros: Rugged, Simple, Good Value
Cons: doesn't fit narrow bike well, low in resistance
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Review 3 for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:FMarshall
Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Age: 45-55
Gender: male
Gear Style: Comfort Driven
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
MEC MEMBER
Great Winter Purchase
Date: January 17, 2010
Great to keep you biking in the Winter, sometimes doesn't seem like there is enough resistance, but good to keep you in shape.
Pros: Rugged, Lightweight, Simple, Good Value, Reliable
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Review 4 for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
By:setu
Location: Montreal
Age: 35-44
Gender: male
Gear Style: Performance Driven
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
Good basic trainer
Date: January 10, 2010
I used it for 1 week. The resistance is not very much, would say about riding on plane surface. I had to ride my bike at max gear to get enough resistance so that after 1 hour I will feel the workout. The frame is solid and nicely built to allow paddling while standing even. I needed around 80 rpm paddling to get good workout but it gets a bit noisy, but not much. Week later I saw Elite Elastogel Fluid primo at MEC store that does not exist online. I changed to the Elastogel model and have used for 1 week so far. The resistance is more, I had to use it with 5 gear less than the top most gear. You also require to paddling with full pressure as it would stop if stop paddling. Elastogel is much less noisy but one drawback though, you can not paddle standing.
it is because the rear wheel rests on the roller. Paddling with weight shifted to the front causes the rear wheel to lose pressured contact.
I would say both the models are good for differnet putpose.
it is because the rear wheel rests on the roller. Paddling with weight shifted to the front causes the rear wheel to lose pressured contact.
I would say both the models are good for differnet putpose.
Pros: Good Value
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Review 5 for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:brightside
Location: burlington ON
Age: 45-55
Gender: male
Gear Style: Minimalist
Describe Yourself: Casual/Recreational
MEC MEMBER
Pleasant surprise
Date: December 27, 2009
I was reluctant to buy this thing. I have always hated most stationary exercise machines, and the exercise bike above all. No wonder folks at the gym need a TV in front of them. It is so incredibly tedious.
In the spring I had some knee problems from sports, and I had to stop my outdoor running. Out of cardio desperation I decided to give cycling a go, after nearly 30 years off bikes. I discovered fixed gear bikes and in July got myself a road bike of this type. Wow. Great exercise, and way more fun than running. My knees heeled and I lost weight to boot.
The rub: winter’s onset. I did not even know bike trainers existed until I visited MEC and saw a few. This offered a way to keep biking through winter. But huge doubts about “riding” my beloved bike in the basement.
After a week of solid riding, 30-40 minute sessions each day, I can say the trainer is a winner. It actually feels a lot like real riding, minus pot holes, sewer grates, cars, and dead squirrels. OTOH, there is no wind in your face, and the sheer thrill of speed. To help, I made up my own custom Spinning playlist and set up speakers nearby. When I get off the bike my legs are as pumped as from actual riding, and I am soaked.
The unit requires minimal set up, and is easy to do. It is quite solid, and appears to be good quality. The manual says it has a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
My bike is road/racer fixed gear, with road tires. The noise level (even without music) is very low.
Pros: Rugged, Simple, Good Value, Reliable
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Review 6 for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:kidzpack
Location: Winnipeg,MB
Age: 35-44
Gender: male
Gear Style: Performance Driven
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
MEC MEMBER
This thing rocks
Date: November 18, 2009
Images for this Review
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This thing is Awesome!!!!!! I work at a grocery store and now I don't ride my bike as much since my work is walking distance from home. I felt I was getting a little bit out of shape. You ride this thing for only about 5 minutes and you break a good sweat. After I'm finished I feel like I've gotten a good workout. I try to do 15 minutes a day at the least . If your looking for a good workout this trainer is a good investment. I would recommend a slick tire for the back because a knobby is very noisy plus the tire will go bald with enough use. All & all I would recommend this product.
Pros: Simple, Good Value, Reliable
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Review 7 for Fluid Alu A-Frame Trainer
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
By:IslandTime
Location: Charlottetown, PE
Age: 35-44
Gender: male
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
MEC MEMBER
Excellent Trainer for the Money
Date: November 11, 2009
I have been using the trainer for a couple of months now and am very pleased with it. Setup was simple - 15 minutes and we were up and pedalling. Frame is solid and stable. Resistance unit is smooth and generates enough resistance to replicate my typical level of effort for a road ride (avid recreational/fitness cyclist). An elite rider may want a unit with more resistance, but for most riders looking to maintain some fitness over the winter, it is fine.
Noise levels are low enough to easily watch TV while riding, even with a standard road tire on the back wheel.
Overall, I am very pleased with the performance and value of the product.
Pros: Good Value, Reliable, Quiet
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