For years, one of my smartest cycling investments has been a used bike from Craigslist, now permanently set up on my indoor trainer. It might sound simple, but this setup has been a game-changer for consistent training. I only need to add air to the front tire every couple of months – just enough to keep it feeling ready to ride. This bike clocks 2 to 8 hours of indoor cycling sessions weekly and has accumulated over 8,000 virtual miles. Maintaining it is easy; I wax the chain every three months to keep things clean, especially with pets and family around. A fresh handlebar tape once a year keeps it feeling good as new. For a mere $650 initial investment, the value and training hours I’ve gotten are unmatched.
You might wonder if using a different bike indoors affects your outdoor riding. My main outdoor bike is a mountain bike, and its geometry is completely different from my trainer bike, which is more road-bike oriented. The frame sizes are different, and so are the component groups – SRAM Eagle XX1 on the mountain bike versus Shimano 105 on the trainer. I prioritized comfort when setting up the saddle on the trainer bike, without specifically trying to match my mountain bike’s setup.
Despite these differences, the strength I build on the indoor bike directly translates to my mountain biking performance. Interestingly, my Functional Threshold Power (FTP) tests are nearly identical whether I’m on my mountain bike outdoors or on the dedicated trainer bike indoors. My advice? Don’t overthink it.
The key is to have an indoor bike trainer setup that is comfortable and readily accessible. If your trainer bike allows you to easily jump on and ride whenever you have time, that’s what truly matters. Your aerobic system focuses on the workout, not the specific bike you’re riding. An indoor bike trainer, especially with a dedicated bike, is an incredibly effective tool for consistent cycling training, regardless of bike specifics.
