In a way I'm not turned off from riding outside in the worst cold and ice of January and February, but if it's a different story if it's (too) windy. Either it's hard to stay on the bike during gusts, or I have to find a fully windproof jacket that still lets sweat out.
Outdoor you have to cope with traffic, intersections, hills, wind (that are both a problem because they may require you to output more than what you need).
@Sam7919 I made this thinking a few years ago, and that's why I went for a direct drive (Wahoo Kickr Core - the upper versions are only allow more "bike movement", but the resistance system is very similar).
Next "upgrade" I'd do (if any) would be a "indoor frame", so that it doesn't "block" a working bike, and I can also put it in another room (given the configuration of the flat, it's not really possible to go from the basement to the other room where I could keep it, especially if the bike is dirty).
@Rеnаud One of my earliest questions on the site was “help me segment the cyclometer market.” Weiwen identified GPS as the critical feature dividing the market, in addition to several lesser features.
I’m now more tempted to ask for ways to segment the indoor trainer market. At the outset the feature that you dismiss, bike sway, seems to be one of the critical ones. Is it really a gimmick? When you go for your n MM:SS + 1 in HRZ 5, is it not disturbing that you can’t sway the bike?
@Sam7919 I don't miss that feature, but never tried a trainer with it. The movement on the ones that can sway quite limited though, but I suspect it could be better for the frame. I don't think that the "smart bikes" (like Wahoo Kickr Bike) can sway in fact.
But good idea to ask the question. Among the regulars from the chat, I think I'm the only one who uses a trainer, and I don't do it on a very "structured way", so you'll probably have more nuanced opinions.
@MaplePanda ohh yeah. I neglected the opposing moment of the ground/tire friction force in my free-body diagram
@Rеnаud I’m a solid indoor rider December through March. I still commute to work year round, but winter months are dedicated to trail building so 60
…to 90 min rides are all I really have time for.
In recent years I’ve entered the spring riding season in much better shape tbat I would have if I have been trying to squeeze outdoor rides in.
The pandemic taught me (whenreplacement parts weren’t available) that destroying my bikes in crap weather wasn’t actually all that fun and riding in “survival mode” (rain, wind, and poor traction) wasn’t all that beneficial to my fitness.
Adding in trailwork and climbing builds the core and upper body strength I need to really mountain bike the way I like in the summer. (Bursts of power over large technical moves)
When company X sells you a bicycle and an exotic seatpost with cross-section Y, do they (or third parties) also make rubber/foam adapters of the Boolean cross-section (Circle - Y) so that you can install your trinkets on the seatpost?
