Outback Magnetic Indoor Bicycle Trainer

Not Bad

3/15/2010

For the price this wasn't bad.

I experienced a few minor frustrations. The assembly pictures weren't really clear, but putting it together was fairly self explanatory so I could live despite that.

The only real issue came when I went to mount my bike. I have a Mongoose Mountain bike, and this is most definitely set up for a street bike.

if you don't have a quick release latch on your rear tire you may need to purchase one. the one that is supplied is extremely small if you have a mountain bike (Mine requires almost a 1/4 inch shaft the one supplied is considerably less than that)

However I was able to improvise by tightening the bracket on to my lugs and it works fine.

Is rather loud, but I attribute that to my knobby tired more-so than the unit itself, which when I tested it was very quiet

All said and told a good purchase, just wish they had supplied more information (such as the latch) before purchasing so i could have been better prepared.

It put new life into my old road bike

2/16/2010

I have had this trainer for just under 2 months and am fairly happy with my purchase. I knew going in, that I wasn't going to get a Cadillac (or BMW) for a hundred bucks, but it does a good job of helping me keep in shape during the cold winter months. To give you some kind of idea as to my normal work out level, I generally ride out doors about 2,000 miles per year. With my retired 20+ year old Fuji Palisade mounted in this trainer at high resistance, and top gear on the bike, I can get a full cardio workout.

I used the free shipping option, and received the package a few days earlier than originally expected. Assembly was completed in a 10-15 min time frame, using the instructions included in the box. I didn't need to use the included skewer replacement, as the stock quick release axle on my Fuji fit fine. The paint finish looks great, and the only thing I might have added would be a quick release between the bike tire and the resistance unit so I don't have to re-adjust the tension each time I ride. NOTE: You do not want to leave the tire locked in when you are not riding in order to prevent the tire from denting. Noise is not an issue for me. Sure it make some noise, but it is not so loud that I can't listen to my MP3 player, and the more I ride, the less I notice it.

One final note, if you are going to buy this or any other trainer you really should consider a stabilizer for the front wheel.

Outback Indoor Bike Trainer Review

2/1/2010

Was missing assembly parts but Customer service was very helpful in getting parts out in 3-5 business days. Went together very easily. Runs well with good resistance. Not silent but not by any means really loud. Seems like a sturdy unit, will see how it holds up.

Great Mag Trainer

1/22/2010

Instructions? Yes there is, inside the box was a double sided piece of paper with large b&w photos provide by Saris Cycling Group of Madison, WI, the Zon resellers. Come on, there is only one part to assemble onto the frame and that is the mag unit. DUH! There is an L shaped retainer screw [looks like a large allen wrench], and a nut and bolt to hold the mag unit to the frame. That's it! Took me all but three-five minutes to assemble, mount my bike and start pedaling. If you can't do it in this time frame you are mechanically declined. Go hire a handyman.

The adjustable tension knob works as it should. I have it set for my middle gears. This way I can shift gears up or down depending on the amount of resistance I desire. Piece of cake. As with all mag trainers, the tire to drum noise is a factor. Not much but enough to be audible. Whirring to me is not a normal sound my ears expect to hear so it bothers me. That's where my MP3 player comes in handy, put in the earplugs, turn it on and music drowns out the whirring.

Frame is well made, sturdy, rugged and with a nice paint finish. It is the same as the Schwinn sold on the Zon, but at less cost. Comes with a Skewer Replacement for touring/road bikes too.

Outback Magnetic Indoor Trainer

1/22/2010

This product was purchased as a gift for my wife. We have had it for one month and she has been using it since Christmas. I found the assembly to be easy and the instructions easy to follow. Before purchasing I was almost scared off by other reviews that had talked about excessive noise. While it is far from quiet the noise is no more of a distraction than a running refrigerator. My wife listens to the radio while using the trainer with no problems. She uses the trainer in our garage on a cement floor.