The Graber Mag Indoor Trainer is an inexpensive stationary bike stand (coming in at just over $100) that sports three different magnetic resistance levels. If you’re on the hunt for an affordable answer to your cycling problems during the winter season, this trainer could be right up your street (and it’s no surprise that it makes our Top 3 mag trainer list!).
As far as magnetic resistance trainers goes, it’s pretty decent. It can give you various levels of workout that can help your body easily reach its calorie burning state, keeping you fit and healthy over the indoor season.
The Graber Mag trainer gives you great value for money. I’ve used many CycleOps trainers before (I especially love the CycleOps Fluid 2, it has to be said!) and I know that they can definitely do the job for me over the winter months, but the downside is they can be pricey.
Find the latest discounts for the Graber Mag Trainer HEREWhat we liked about the Graber Mag Trainer
I tested my friend’s Graber Mag out for a few training sessions, and was impressed with what I saw. Especially when I realized that the Graber is equipped with the same magnetic resistance unit commonly found in high end CycleOps trainers. The unit actually features up to three different levels of resistance, allowing you to easily adjust the difficulty level of your workout. The only noticeable difference between pricey trainers like those from CycleOps or Kurt Kinetic is that the Graber Mag uses PVC rollers while expensive brands usually have metal rollers. Aside from this, everything else is pretty much the same, so you basically get all the high end performance and quality for a much lower price.
The Graber Mag is made with a heavy-duty, high-quality steel frame that provides a high amount of stability for a strong and solid ride. Though the trainer feels and looks sturdy, you can actually easily fold it for quick storage and transport. Setting up is also fast and easy as connecting it to your bike’s current hub. Its fast-leveling feet are another factor in ensuring you get a good workout in just minutes.
Seriously, if you want to find a dependable and affordable magnetic resistance indoor trainer, then this trainer can certainly be considered as one of the better options. This bike trainer will offer years of problem-free indoor workouts during the winter, or when you don’t have ample time to go cycling outdoors.
Some of the Graber Mag’s main features
- Offers three levels of magnetic resistance
- Easy to setup
- Foldable and portable
- One year warranty
- It fits standard size 26-inch and 27-inch wheels
Pros and Cons of the Graber Mag Indoor Trainer
The Pros…
Unlike some higher-end mag trainers out there, it only contains limited magnetic resistance levels, so it will force you to submit to an intense workout, without getting the option of taking it slow. In our opinion that’s a definite pro, especially if you want to keep fit through the winter months.
It is easy to assemble (takes only five minutes) and takes only around two minutes to pack and fold if you want to take it elsewhere, making it hassle free and very convenient to move around. It is also very sturdy and can support up to 200 pounds of weight without any safety or reliability issues. The trainer includes easy to follow manual or setup instructions to ensure that you fully utilize the equipment’s features and fully enjoy its benefits.
For us, that’s quite a decent list of reasons to splash the cash on this one!
The Cons…
One of the primary drawbacks of the Graber Mag trainer is that the friction roller is made from PVC instead of metal, making it perhaps more vulnerable to various defects caused by common wear and tear. The one year warranty period in our opinion could also be a little longer.
So, does the Graber Mag offer value for money?
Overall I have to say the Graber Mag trainer is worth every penny. From my sessions with it and from my friend’s own experience, this could prove to be a great value purchase for many of you.
Yes, there were some minor issues, but remember that it has a one year warranty period, which provides some allowances for any defects that are not part of the usual wear and tear process. And, of course, you don’t get quite what you would when you splash out on one of the more high-end models, but the Graber is a reliable indoor trainer that offers almost as much functionality and performance as its expensive counterparts. Definitely worth considering and adding to that shopping list!
