If you’re looking for a great magnetic trainer, then this one from the guys at CycleOps (yes, we’ve reviewed plenty of their trainers on this site) is a great option to consider.
This Mag trainer lets you bring your training routine indoors, to the comfort of your own home during those bad weather days. Together with its five levels of adjustable resistance, you can vary the levels of your session to fit your needs. It really is a great turbo trainer that can transform your bike into a ready calorie burner, no matter what the season or temperature outside.
With the branding and support that come with CycleOps, you’re not going to go too far wrong with this one.
Check out the latest DISCOUNTS for the CycleOps Mag TrainerWhat convinced us about the CycleOps Mag Trainer
First things first, the CycleOps Mag Trainer lets you maintain your fitness through the worst of the winter months. This trainer utilizes magnet brakes, using a special built-in flywheel that provides hassle-free and quiet riding (well, as quiet as a magnetic trainer can get). It has a resistance lever containing five settings so you can modify your workout level to suit those warming up sessions and even for intense riding workouts.
The trainer’s strong stainless-steel frame contains leveling feet for stability, and its foldable legs allow you to set up – and store away – the bike in a matter of seconds. The CycleOps Mag also comes with its own instructional DVD, always a nice little bonus to help you get up and running with your new trainer.
The video below gives you a quick taste of what you’re getting with the CycleOps Mag…
https://youtu.be/o3p7_U6p71Y
Some of the main features that come with the CycleOps Mag trainer
- Strong, magnetic resistance unit that offers both a fairly silent and frictionless ride.
- Linear resistance increases the intensity of your workout sessions, so it will match every gear click and pedal stroke.
- Mag+ feature accompanied by an adjustable and convenient handlebar-mounted shifter (when you purchase this trainer, go for the Mag+ version, which will cost something like $20 more).
- The trainer’s noise level reaches up to 70 to 74 decibels when at 20 mph.
- Intelligent leveling feet, lets you adjust it easily, particularly on irregular surfaces.
- Precision-machined alloy rollers, reduce the tire’s vulnerability to slippage and common wearing.
- Comes with the foldable standard frame from CycleOps, together with a bolt-action spring loaded lever. These levers are great as they add a layer of stability where you know your bike is truly attached to the trainer.
- Simply adjust the tire’s rub against the resistance unit by using the turn knob.
- 2 inch resistance unit roller that can handle 650b, 700c, 26-inch, 27-inch, and 29-inch wheels.
- Perfect for almost any road bike and mountain bike frames, at least those that come with steel quick release skewers. A rear dropout spacing that measures 120mm, 130mm, and 135mm ensures that most rear-axle skewers are catered for.
- As we’ve mentioned countless times, stick on a trainer tire for the ultimate noise reduction – and less wear and tear on your alloy roller.
- Compatible with CycleOps VirtualTraining, which means you can ride along real routes all over the world as the app (iOS, Android, or desktop version) tracks your training data.
What we love – and aren’t so struck with – about the CycleOps Mag
What we liked…
There are plenty of reasons as to why this trainer compares favorably when pitted against other kinds of mag trainers.
First, it’s very easy to set up. There are several reviews that say the contrary, but take it from us, this baby is quite easy, even for the complete beginner. Maximum time to setup should be about ten minutes tops.
The trainer feels very stable, and has no noticeable rocking when being used, or even while applying a small amount of force. Unlike other kinds of trainers, you won’t be scared about suddenly going rocketing across the room if you attempt to stand up and sprint (though you’d probably be better off with something like a Rock n Roller from Kinetic if you’re really into your sprints and climbs).
A lot of the surfaces where the trainer will be used might be slightly uneven, but if you can just shorten or extend the feet as required (this is done by just twisting them in or out), it really is simple to make the trainer stable.
These three aspects aren’t deal-winners, but they just show some of the basic highlights that you might overlook – and often are amiss from regular magnetic trainers.
What we didn’t like…
Well, as with most mag trainers, there is a certain amount of noise to get used to…if you’re spinning it at a low resistance and high cadence, you will still be able to tolerate its noise and vibration, which is as loud as a stand mixer. But once you turn the big ring to around 70 RPMs inside an enclosed space, such as a one-bedroom apartment, it gives off way more noise – you might have to turn the music up a bit AND warn the neighbors!
Value for money?
It’s a very decent trainer, and typically come in at the $200 mark, making it one of the more expensive mag trainers out there. But this baby is one for those of you looking for a good quality mag trainer that will see you through many winters!
You might also consider the CycleOps SuperMagneto, which is probably the ultimate mag trainer out there – a bit more expensive, but great, great quality.
