Reversibly convert road bike to exercise bike?

[noparlpf]

Is there such a thing as a simple frame to hold up the rear wheel of a bike so you can pedal indoors without the bike going anywhere? It's been raining or at least threatening rain for weeks, so I haven't gotten to bike much. I keep my bike in my apartment anyway, so it already takes up as much space as an actual indoor exercise bike.

If there's no such thing yet, I guess I'd have to build one. It would probably be easiest to support the front by removing the front wheel (that's a quick-release wheel) and having that rest on a bar of some sort, possibly also with a quick-release type clasp to lock it in place. Taking off the back wheel is a huge hassle for something I want to be easily reversible, so supporting that would be a bit more annoying than a simple bar where the wheel fits in. It would also have to not get in the way of te pedals or my feet. Hmm.
Maybe I could market this, if it doesn't exist yet.

[cucchulainnn]

motorcycles have what you are talking about, not sure about bicycle. but these are made for maintenance then again if it can hold up a 500 pound bike then it could hold a person on a bicycle.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_12259.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/lifts-stands/low-profile-rear-motorcycle-spool-stand-99701.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_7680.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/lifts-stands/motorcycle-swingarm-rear-stand-65620.html

actually amazon has several versions listed.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=convert+bike+to+stationary+bike&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=6514470456&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8338858171332468219&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_50d1vimwej_b

[valadil]

My drummer has one so he can bike while playing video games in the winter. If google isn't helpful I can ask if he remembers where he got it. Actually I bet a bike shop would know what they're called, even if they don't stock any.

[JustSomeGuy]

'Turbo trainer' is what you are looking for i think.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

Oh, they exist all right. It depends on your budget.

An "el Cheapo" system is the Bell Bicycle Trainer:
http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Motivator-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000AAYBWS

But to be honest, every item I have ever bought from Bell (except helmets) has proven to be a complete piece of cr*p. Tools come apart, pumps break, lights don't work a week after you buy them. I've long since given up hope, and now either go to my local bike shop, or research the internet. I did see several other systems from other manufacturers with lower prices, but make sure you read the reviews first.

A higher quality trainer would be this one:
http://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Magneto-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000BT8VOW/ref=sr_1_22?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372716923&sr=1-22&keywords=indoor+bicycle+bike+trainer

But like everything, if you want quality, be prepared to pay.

And if you have an unlimited budget, I've been seeing this trainer system advertised while watching the Tour de France:
http://www.amazon.com/Tacx-i-Genius-Virtual-Reality-Trainer/dp/B006GHFG8C/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372717091&sr=1-1&keywords=tacx

It includes a software package that simulates a bicycle race that also provides feedback to the trainer; i.e. more resistance when ascending, and other riders to compete against. I'd like this, but I don't think I can get funding approval from the Chancellor of the Exchequer...

[Hbgplayer]

Yes, and there are a lot of them.
Perfomance bike (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10052&categoryId=400037&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=400006&top_category=400006&pageView=) has a big selection of higher quality trainers, or you can Google what you want and it comes up with a lot of selections.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

One or two things to consider:
Magnetic Eddy trainers are much quieter than air resistant trainers.
Buy a different tire or even different back wheel for training. The trainers tend to wear out the tire rather quickly. Better to use a cheap tire for indoor traing than wear out a $40-60 tire.
Put a towel over the front wheel or other components before you train. Sweat can be very corrosive to bicycle components.

You can go as fancy as you want, from just riding how you feel, to setting up a cadence meter and power meter. Are you just wanting to work up a sweat, or are you training for some races?

[noparlpf]

Oh, they exist all right. It depends on your budget.

An "el Cheapo" system is the Bell Bicycle Trainer:
http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Motivator-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000AAYBWS

But to be honest, every item I have ever bought from Bell (except helmets) has proven to be a complete piece of cr*p. Tools come apart, pumps break, lights don't work a week after you buy them. I've long since given up hope, and now either go to my local bike shop, or research the internet. I did see several other systems from other manufacturers with lower prices, but make sure you read the reviews first.

A higher quality trainer would be this one:
http://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Magneto-Indoor-Bicycle-Trainer/dp/B000BT8VOW/ref=sr_1_22?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372716923&sr=1-22&keywords=indoor+bicycle+bike+trainer

But like everything, if you want quality, be prepared to pay.

And if you have an unlimited budget, I've been seeing this trainer system advertised while watching the Tour de France:
http://www.amazon.com/Tacx-i-Genius-Virtual-Reality-Trainer/dp/B006GHFG8C/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372717091&sr=1-1&keywords=tacx

It includes a software package that simulates a bicycle race that also provides feedback to the trainer; i.e. more resistance when ascending, and other riders to compete against. I'd like this, but I don't think I can get funding approval from the Chancellor of the Exchequer...

Yeah, Bell helmets are alright, but generally they make fairly cheap stuff.

Hmm. From some of these pictures, I can't tell: How does the bike mount to the thing?


One or two things to consider:
Magnetic Eddy trainers are much quieter than air resistant trainers.
Buy a different tire or even different back wheel for training. The trainers tend to wear out the tire rather quickly. Better to use a cheap tire for indoor traing than wear out a $40-60 tire.
Put a towel over the front wheel or other components before you train. Sweat can be very corrosive to bicycle components.

You can go as fancy as you want, from just riding how you feel, to setting up a cadence meter and power meter. Are you just wanting to work up a sweat, or are you training for some races?

Mm, that's a pain. Removing the rear wheel is kind of a drag, so I was hoping to avoid that...

I just wanted some easy way to get some exercise when it's rainy. I don't race or anything. I just have a commuter-type bike to get to school and back. It's a five mile ride each way, nothing big.

[Rawhide]

Boom. (http://www.amazon.com/Kinetic-Bicycle-Indoor-Exercise-Trainer/dp/B004I5EFZ4) Problem solved.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

You remove the rear skewer, set the bike in place, then use the trainer's skewer in place of your bike's original skewer. The trainer skewer is usually longer, meant to hold the bike in place over the trainer. Then raise the roller LIGHTLY against the tire. I've seen too many people jam the tire down hard against the roller, thinking it will prevent slippage. All that does is put extra wear on the tire, wearing it out even faster.

After that, it's hop on and pedal for all you're worth! I wanted to figure out a way to set out Wii up with my bike, and use Wii Resort as a trainer. The Tacx Trainer is sweet, but WAY above this old dude in lycra's budget!

If you can, test one in a shop, see how loud it is. I see guys on the double rollers warming up before a race, but MTB tires are LOUD! Good way to annoy your neighbors, and maybe suffer some low grade hearing loss. Smooth road tires don't seem to have the same problem.

[Rawhide]

Ah, drat. I see other people have already suggested similar items. I only noted "remove the rear wheel" and figured that they were talking about the ones that actually replace the wheel entirely.

[Morph Bark]

Yes, these things you're looking for exist. My dad has used them himself extensively during winters, as he's an avid cyclist.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

What sort of bike are you riding? If the rear wheel is difficult to remove, I'm assuming the rear axle is bolted in place instead of held in place with a quick release skewer. The roller Rawhide posted might be an acceptable choice. There appears to be two recesses for setting the bike into place without removing the skewer.

Most trainers come with a front wheel holder to prevent marring of the floor. Check the box before you buy.

EDIT: Actually, get the trainer below the one Rawhide linked to. The first one is an air resistance trainer, with a small, noisy fan to provide resistance. The other one is magnetic eddy, and much quieter. Some of the reviews make it look pretty good...

Inexpensive Magnetic Eddy Trainer (http://www.amazon.com/Magnet-Bicycle-Indoor-Exercise-Trainer/dp/B004I576SM/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1)

[noparlpf]

What sort of bike are you riding? If the rear wheel is difficult to remove, I'm assuming the rear axle is bolted in place instead of held in place with a quick release skewer. The roller Rawhide posted might be an acceptable choice. There appears to be two recesses for setting the bike into place without removing the skewer.

Most trainers come with a front wheel holder to prevent marring of the floor. Check the box before you buy.

EDIT: Actually, get the trainer below the one Rawhide linked to. The first one is an air resistance trainer, with a small, noisy fan to provide resistance. The other one is magnetic eddy, and much quieter. Some of the reviews make it look pretty good...

Inexpensive Magnetic Eddy Trainer (http://www.amazon.com/Magnet-Bicycle-Indoor-Exercise-Trainer/dp/B004I576SM/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1)

I have a Fuji Crosstown 4.0 (http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/large/30-1392-BLK-SIDE.jpg).

Hmm, that's not too expensive. So the rear axle comes out, that has a pin that slides through in its place, and I just keep the front wheel steady by balance?
I'm not sure my rear axle does come out (easily) though. I've removed the rear wheel to replace a flat tube before. The axle is bolted to the frame, and those come off easily enough, but the axle is through the center of the wheel and gears pretty solidly.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

I have a Fuji Crosstown 4.0 (http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/large/30-1392-BLK-SIDE.jpg).

Hmm, that's not too expensive. So the rear axle comes out, that has a pin that slides through in its place, and I just keep the front wheel steady by balance?
I'm not sure my rear axle does come out (easily) though. I've removed the rear wheel to replace a flat tube before. The axle is bolted to the frame, and those come off easily enough, but the axle is through the center of the wheel and gears pretty solidly.

Well, you can buy a riser for the front wheel. It helps hold the front tire in place, but it is mostly to keep from marking up your floor. Those run about $12 on the internet.

Check with your local bike shop to see if your bike can be put in the trainer as-is, or if you need to change to a QR skewer. I am fairly sure you can use the Magnetic Eddy trainer I linked to as-is, but it is your money. Better to make sure than to trust some random person on the internet.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don't use a trainer. I just bundle up and ride through the winter. I strongly considered getting one last winter, but just never did. Been looking again, since monsoon season is upon me.

[noparlpf]

Well, you can buy a riser for the front wheel. It helps hold the front tire in place, but it is mostly to keep from marking up your floor. Those run about $12 on the internet.

Check with your local bike shop to see if your bike can be put in the trainer as-is, or if you need to change to a QR skewer. I am fairly sure you can use the Magnetic Eddy trainer I linked to as-is, but it is your money. Better to make sure than to trust some random person on the internet.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don't use a trainer. I just bundle up and ride through the winter. I strongly considered getting one last winter, but just never did. Been looking again, since monsoon season is upon me.

Hmm. I keep my bike on a small rug anyway to avoid damaging the landlord's carpet, so marking up that already-dirty rug is no big deal.

I don't actually know of any good bike shops nearby. I'll try to find one.

Yeah, I have no trouble riding through the summer, winter, whatever, as long as it's dry. (Biking twenty miles in freezing rain—DO NOT. It's bad for your bike, too.) It's been raining on and off for weeks and threatening to rain almost constantly, is all. So I got curious about bicycling indoors.

[titania]

How different between bicycle trainer and exercise bike? For work out at home when I can't ride outside. I see the price is not much different and exercise bike has more training program like this http://www.bestsellingreviews.com/Sport/Exercise-Bike/.