JetBlack's intro trainer is about as simple as it gets, but it’s good enough if it’s all you can afford. The simple rectangular-section steel frame, metal roller, magnetic resistance engine and small flywheel come assembled, which is a get-on-and-go bonus.
The frame itself is reasonably stable too. There’s masses of flex across the rear axle though, so don’t twist your bike about too much to get your torque out. The small flywheel means it picks up speed fast, with no wheel slip. And there’s enough resistance to get you sweating with a compact chainset.
There’s absolutely no momentum or run-on though, so it feels choppy when you’re pedaling. It’s loud too, and with lots of numbing buzz through the saddle it’s best for short intervals rather than long sit-and-spin sessions.
This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine.
