Bicycle station: purpose, varieties, brands, choice

Cycling is a great workout for the whole body. But alas, bike rides are only suitable for the warm season. In winter, you can replace your beloved two-wheeled friend with a home exercise machine - a bicycle machine. Surprisingly, even the most ordinary bike can be turned into such a device.

To begin with, it's worth figuring out what this thing is. A bike station is an unusual design that can turn a regular or even a mountain bike into an exercise bike. Being engaged in it, you can adjust the load, choosing how intense the training will be. A bicycle on such a machine is installed only for a while, at any time it can be removed to go for a ride in the fresh air.

It is especially difficult to do this at the beginning when a person is just starting to pedal. But the training turns out to be more effective.

Such an interesting device has both disadvantages and advantages, which you must definitely familiarize yourself with before you buy.

Consider the main advantages.

• The bicycle station is good in that you can engage in it regularly, regardless of what the weather is like on the street. A person does not have to ride in the dark evenings or try to maintain balance on an ice-covered road.
• Bicycle parking is not too expensive therefore, almost everyone can afford to buy it.The cost of each particular model depends on many details, including additional “bells and whistles” and which company produced it. In addition, the benefit of buying a bike station is also that a person manages to save on a gym membership in the future.
• A very important addition is the load adjustment function. During training, you can set the desired pace, changing it in the process if necessary.
• If a person buys a bicycle machine solely to ride in the cold season, it will also be a plus that in these few months he will not be weaned from his bicycle. This is especially pleasing to athletes who need to constantly prepare for the next competition. Not only regular loads are important for them, but also the opportunity to get used to their “iron horse”.

Cons of cycle machines, however, are also available.

• Although a regular bicycle is installed on the machine, on which you need to be able to maintain balance, maneuver during training is not necessary. Therefore, over time, such an important skill may be lost.
• Another minus is the lack of communication and fresh air. Everyone who appreciates cycling precisely for this will not approve of such a device. But during training, you can enjoy watching your favorite series.

There are several types of bicycle machines. Each has features that appeal to a certain type of people.

Such a machine is also known as a roller. He is flat and flat construction that rises slightly above the ground if necessary. Three rollers were installed across it, two of them are in the back, and the third is in front.

The rear wheel is placed between the rollers located at the rear, and the front wheel abuts against the roller located in front of the machine. It turns out that when a person pedals, not only the wheels spin, but also these very rollers.

To change the load during training, a special belt can be fixed between the rollers. When it is pulled, the load will increase. Another feature of this simulator is the complete absence of any support. When riding a bicycle, a person must independently maintain his balance and constantly pedal. Otherwise, it will simply fall. In this, it just differs from a simple exercise bike.

Although the design looks too simple, it is really perfect for training. Therefore, even professional triathletes appreciate such a bike. Using a roller bike, you can simulate trips not only on a normal road, but also on off-road. So even those who are preparing to participate in road bike races will appreciate it.

Those who do not ride a bicycle very well should choose this design. This cycle machine is more like a regular simulator. Riding it, you will not need to keep your balance all the time, and also constantly pedal.

There are several varieties of such designs.

• Air trainer considered the most inexpensive model. The base is supplemented by flywheel blades that slow down when the pedals spin. The faster the pedals rotate, the greater the resistance. But this model has several drawbacks. First of all, it is a very high noise level. In addition, the load, although regulated manually, cannot be too large.

• Magnetic trainer compares favorably with air in that it does not create unnecessary noise during operation. It works due to the fact that magnets are attached to the bicycle wheel. With their help, you can adjust the degree of load. The price of such models is slightly higher.

• Fluid trainer is the quietest and most expensive cycle station. It works through the use of liquids, such as special synthetic oils. It is such a trainer that best simulates cycling.

Today, many manufacturers are engaged in the production of such structures. Therefore, those who are looking for a suitable model for themselves should pay attention to the most popular products.

For starters, you can get acquainted with models that are relatively inexpensive. The cost of a typical cycle machine from this brand is 10 thousand rubles. He is good in that he has 6 load levels at once. Almost any bike can be installed on this design. The kit, in addition to everything you need, may also include a stand for the front wheel.

The company "Decathlon", which is engaged in the production of various sports goods, can offer customers a large number of cycle machines at an affordable price. So, this model costs only 6-7 thousand rubles. Based on the trainer, you can install bicycles with wheels 26-28 inches in size. There are several levels of stress that make training more or less intense.

Powerful enough as well as convenient is direct drive magnetic bicycle machine. Its cost varies within 25 thousand rubles. This is a modern model. It can work with a special application that can be installed either on a tablet or on a smartphone. Using a special flywheel, you can increase drive power.

This model is already a roller skating machine for bicycles. Its price is within 11 thousand rubles. Such a bicycle machine differs from other models in that it has a small platform for legs placed on the basis of this design. Also provided the ability to adjust the load.

When buying cycle machines, special attention should be paid to products manufactured by this particular company. The price of all their products is quite high, however, it is justified. The brand receives good reviews and is constantly evolving. The company is trying to translate into reality all the newest ideas and computerize its cycle machines.

The price of Tacx Cosmos is within 50 thousand rubles. The machine can be integrated with a computer and with other multimedia systems. Using it is very convenient. However, if such a modern model seems too expensive, you can pay attention to some more affordable products from the same brand. They are no worse in quality.

A great option for those who are looking for a more affordable machine will be the Tacx Satori Smart. Its cost is in the range of 400 dollars. But this is only in America - in European countries you can buy it for $ 250. Of course, you won’t be able to control the bike station wirelessly, but you can still get the necessary information about the load level using an application such as Polar.

When choosing a bicycle machine, you should definitely pay attention to some details that determine how successful the training will be and how comfortable your homework will feel at that time.

You need to pay attention even to such trifles as noise level. There are noisy models that annoy both the person who is training and everyone around him. Testing the noise level is best before buying. You should ask a consultant about this.

Fans can choose a trainer for themselves, which is easier to train at times.. Riding it is a pleasure.

Be sure to pay attention to how many load levels are there. You also need to understand whether it is possible to further regulate it using special applications. Before placing an order or filling out documents, it is necessary to clarify whether there is a guarantee on the purchased goods. Usually, most manufacturers give a one or two year warranty on their products.

In addition, an important role in the selection is played by who is the manufacturer of the selected product. Companies that have been manufacturing machine tools for many years can offer better products.

To summarize, we can say that a modern bicycle station is suitable for more intense home workouts. It will give an opportunity even in the cold season not to lose the skill of riding a bicycle and always stay in shape.

About what a cycle machine is, see below.