The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Trainer is probably the most famous trainer of them all. Why not, as the company is the official indoor trainer of the US Cycling Team. But what is a trainer? Is it important? For the athlete, it is, especially on winter months that can hinder outdoor training for the cyclists.
Pros
The Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer is designed so that it emulates the feel of the bike being on the road, not inside a gym where you actually are. The resistance of this trainer is so realistic that being on the road is sometimes redundant when you have this trainer. For the record, this trainer can give out 3000 watts of resistance. The resistance unit is powertap calibrated to ensure quality. For easier training though, the lowest level of resistance is at 20 watts.
It has 80 cooling fins that are very effective in dissipating heat and it is thermodynamically stable, and has silicone resistant fluid. This means that the consistency of the silicone fluid remains the same even if the temperatures rise. Other fluids get thicker when it gets hot, but the silicone fluid does not because it is thermodynamically neutral. The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine, being a fluid trainer, is very silent, smooth and very realistic in terms of mimicking the road and other terrains imaginable.
The Kurt Kinetic Trainer design is stable and can support very heavy weight. It is also very compact so the storage is not a problem. It is very quiet and when you use it, it feels like you are not on a trainer, but rather outside the gym.
The trainer comes with an instructional DVD that helps the newbies on getting it done right on the Kurt Kinetic Trainer. The DVD comes with the tips on how to effectively use the machine and at the same time on moves that can help the cyclist with his training.
Cons
The drawback of this machine is that the trainer can leak, especially when it is old. It also has limited warranty, but the company can repair their machine for a fee, and they do it well because they take pride in their products. The Road Machine has its fluid unit sealed so this is not so much of a threat, but the wear and tear of the product, especially when it is used a lot, can put a toll on the product. The lime green color can be a bit too much for other riders. This is also for serious athletes, as the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine may be too much for those who are looking for casual riding.
What Others Are Saying About Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Trainer
This particular Kinetic Trainer are a top rated trainer according to consumer reports on the net with an average of 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon. Here are a few comments:
“I have had several other trainers of this type that were used by my son and myself for training on Road, Mountain, and Recumbent. This one is the best. From the moment you heft it out of the shipping carton until you set it up you know this is quality and not like all the others. It is BUILT strong.”
“I’ve had my Kurt Kinetic Road Machine since 2001 and it has never leaked. I put an average of 1200 miles per winter on it and it’s always been reliable, relatively quiet, and has a better feel than any non-fluid trainer. The Road Machine Pro has an even heavier flywheel so offers an even better feel, I’d say. The best thing you could do is read the reviews on other sites. Try a couple out at a local bike shop and then buy the best. After all my initial reviews and ongoing knowledge of bike trainers, Kurt was and still is the best”
“I am very happy with the trainer. Most impressively, it is much quieter than my previous mag trainer. I can easily listen to music while riding without the music being so loud it bothers the rest of the family. I ride about 30 minutes a day on it …. it is a great part of a cardiac risk factor prevention program.”
“In short, I’d give the trainer five stars just for the unit itself and what it has added to my training. Adding Kurt’s service and Amazon’s speed, I would rate this product even higher if I could.”
“After years riding MTB, I am new to road biking and indoor training. Did my research and ended up purchasing this trainer because it uses fluid, but has a unique magnetic coupling to prevent future problems with leakage. So far, I am extremely pleased. The unit was easy to set-up, it is very smooth and quiet, and the resistance is very realistic. I highly recommend this product.”
Final Thoughts
The trainer is not assembled when you get to buy it, but it is relatively simple to set up. Overall, the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine is a good trainer and since they have a name to protect, the products from their company are surely of good quality. They also carry a lifetime warranty as a testament to their quality workmanship.
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