How To Choose and Use An Exercise Bike Stand

An exercise bike stand provides a wonderful indoor workout when the weather is not conducive to an outdoor ride. Both indoor bicycle trainers and stationary bike stand rollers come with their advantages and disadvantages. When you use them properly, you can yield the best results. 

All types of stationary bike stands can be stored in small spaces since most are made to be folded up. These lightweight stationary bike stands usually come fully assembled and are equipped with a cushioned bottom so as not to scratch the floor. 

Exercise Bike Trainers 

Bike trainers, which include magnetic, fluid and wind resistance, are simple to use. You just attach the rear bicycle wheel to the trainer and go for an indoor ride. Since trainers attach, you get increased resistance. 

However, the way you get resistance is another issue. While some trainers allow for changes in resistance by way of a remote, others require you to get off the bike, dismount it and change the settings. This is usually the case with different types of magnetic exercise bike stands. 

Then, there are fluid trainers. Although fluid exercise bike trainers are the top of the food chain, they have had fluid leakage issues. In less expensive fluid exercise bike stands, the impeller’s shaft penetrates into the fluid chamber, where a rubber seal stops fluid from leaking. With usual wear and tear, as well as the heat generated by the silicone fluid (up to 400 degrees), the rubber seal eventually fails. 

I suggest paying the high price tag for a Kurt Kinetic fluid stationary bike st and because this brand uses liquid medical grade silicone, which is not affected by temperature. Furthermore, series of magnets propel the unit, rather the being penetrated by an impeller. 

Wind bike trainers, the least expensive of stationary bike trainers, are at the bottom of the list of indoor bike trainers. When you use this type of exercise bike stand, pedaling drives an attached fan. The harder you pedal, the higher your wind resistance from the fan, which produces a nice breeze. Unfortunately, because of the fan’s fixed size, you cannot change the resistance curve. 

While you get a realistic feel with a wind resistance bike trainer, you cannot adapt the power curve. Yes, the harder you pedal, the higher the resistance AND the noisier the equipment. Wind cycle trainers cannot be used where noise has to be considered. 

Stationary Bike Stand Rollers 

Since exercise bike stand rollers do not attach to a bicycle, you must balance yourself on the rollers. To account for the difficulty with balance, be sure to correctly set the rollers by putting your bike on them and set the front wheel’s height the same as the back wheel. You can use blocks of wood or adjustors to achieve this. Not taking the aforementioned suggestion will offset balance, causing damage to the perineum area. 

Set yourself up in a doorway, so that you can use the sides to get adjusted. Or, have a partner assist you get set up properly. 

General Tips

• You might want to have a box fan blow on you since you won’t have the natural breeze found during outdoor cycling, unless you’re using a wind bike trainer. 
• Be sure to stay hydrated, especially if you use a fan, which will dry your throat.  
• You might want to get a sweat shield to insulate the machine since indoor perspiration can corrode a bicycle's frame and core components.  
• Follow your exercise bike stand’s instructions to ensure safety. 
• Be aware that some stationary bike stands come with a helpful training DVD to keep you in tip top shape and a warranty, in case anything goes wrong.  
• It is important to note that before you begin using any type of exercise equipment, first consult your physician.