Ever wondered what the differences are between Magnetic bike trainers and Fluid bike trainers….keep reading.
If you are considering purchasing an indoor bike trainer to stay in shape this winter then you have likely wondered what is the difference between magnetic trainers and fluid trainers. It is normal to want to get the best bang for your buck so wanting to understand whether a fluid trainer is better than a magnetic trainer, or vice versa, is perfectly normal. We will try help you find the best bike trainer for your needs.
Magnetic Bike Trainers
The first type of indoor bike trainer we will discuss are magnetic bike trainers but one thing you should know is that no statement made will apply to all brands or styles of mag trainers so we need to speak in generalities. Certain models might perform better than others but we are comfortable that the general pros and cons of mag trainers will apply to the majority of them.
A mag trainer is a simpler design than a fluid trainer and basically works using, as you might have guessed, magnets to provide the friction. The rear tire rotates the flywheel which contains the magnets creating a resistance due to the natural characteristics of the magnetic attraction. This friction is fairly linear and will typically not increase the faster you pedal like a fluid trainer does.
What this translates to is a trainer that may function well for the majority of casual cyclists out there but if you are a strong rider who puts down a lot of power and has a lot of endurance then you may be able to outpower your trainer. This will not help improve your conditioning and may not be the best choice for you. For the average rider, a mag trainer can provide a strong workout and may be a good choice.
Mag Trainer Pros:
- Less expensive.
- Dependable with little to no reliability issues.
Mag Trainer Cons:
- Noise – These bike trainers can be extremely loud and may be an issue in a condo or apt.
- Capability – As discussed, powerful riders can overpower the trainer, diminishing usefulness.
Fluid Bike Trainers
A fluid bike trainer works quite differently than a Mag trainer. They use a flywheel design powered by the rear tire but the friction is provided by an impeller that is spinning through a viscous fluid inside that flywheel. This design has definite advantages to a Mag trainer in that this fluid can be tailored to change viscosity based on temperature and therefore will provide more resistance the faster you pedal. This very closely simulates the way a real bike feels. If you aren’t capable of 45mph on the road then you shouldn’t be able to pedal 45mph on a bike trainer.
Another advantage to a fluid trainer is that they are much quieter than a Mag trainer. Any bike trainer is still going to be a bit on the noisy side but fluid trainers are the best of the bunch. This may not sound like a big deal to a new trainer user but if you live in a condo or an apartment then it could mean the difference between neighbors who like you and neighbors who want you evicted. Even in your own home, a loud bike trainer can cause issues with a spouse so factor this into your decision.
Fluid Bike Trainer Cons:
- Price – Fluid trainers are typically a bit more pricey than Mag trainers but it isn’t significant and varies by brand.
- Dependability – In years past, some fluid trainers had issues with seal leakage. This doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue today.
Fluid Bike Trainer Pros:
- Road Feel – Feels more like riding a real bike. Progressive resistance is key to this and a Mag trainer does not provide.
- Noise – Typically more quiet than a Mag trainer and this can be a deal breaker.
Bike Trainer Comparison Summary
The differences between a Mag trainer and a Fluid trainer may be subtle but they can dramatically impact the satisfaction level that you have with your bike trainer purchase. Both styles of indoor bike trainers will serve the typical cyclist very well but if you can get exactly what you want by doing a little bit of research then so be it.
If it were our money then hands down we would purchase a Kurt Kinetic Pro Trainer. This trainer is solid as a rock and capable of kicking the tail of just about any rider out there. It’s a Fluid trainer so it’s relatively quiet and the great thing about the Kurt trainer is that it has a flywheel design that physically cannot leak. It’s extremely dependable and will serve you well for years to come.