Riding your bike outside is awesome, but it’s outside the question if the outside is raining hard. This doesn’t mean that you have to skip your training. With a good fluid trainer, you can train at home with your bike as well, and below, we will help you choose the best fluid trainer between CycleOps Fluid 2 Vs Kurt Kinetic.
What we will discuss includes:
– The designs of CycleOps Fluid 2 and Kurt Kinetic
– Which fluid trainer that is easier to set-up and use
– The features and compatibility of each fluid trainer
– The performance of CycleOps Fluid 2 vs Kurt Kinetic
– The weaknesses or disadvantages of each model
– Which fluid trainer that is better and more recommended for you
CycleOps Fluid 2: Overview
CycleOps Fluid 2 is the first fluid trainer in the CycleOps series. It has become one of the best-selling models in the market now, despite the fact it is being priced a bit higher than most other models. It has also received lots of positive reviews from its users. See also: Boeshield T 9 Vs WD 40
At the first time seeing this fluid trainer, you will immediately get captivated by the elegant and firm-looking design. CycleOps Fluid 2 radiates expertise, and the construction is very robust. It has a big resistance roller which maximizes the tire contact area and reduces the chance of slippage. And it runs quietly.
The secret behind the smooth and quiet performance is that CycleOps Fluid 2 uses a progressive fluid resistance technology. This enables the trainer to run more smoothly and quietly than magnetic and wind trainers.
You won’t need to change the resistance level with a knob. Instead, the resistance will be dynamically adjusted according to your cadence speed. The faster you pedal, the higher the resistance will be. CycleOps Fluid 2 doesn’t have a limit on the resistance, so it is an excellent tool if you want to push yourself as much as you can. Furthermore, the resistance feels very natural, as if you are actually riding on the road.
CycleOps Fluid 2: Features
Both CycleOps Fluid 2 vs Kurt Kinetic use fluid resistance mechanisms. It works by spinning an impeller inside a special fluid. As you pedal harder, the impeller will spin faster. As the effect, the fluid will become more condensed and generate more resistance. The advantage of a fluid trainer is that the challenge will be increased naturally according to your power, so there is no guesswork about what level to use.
CycleOps Fluid 2 comes with an optimized fluid level to make the resistance better than the previous models. It also comes with a re-designed sealed-cartridge bearing to improve the inertia.
The trainer will require some assembly before it can be used for the first time, but the process is quite simple. The frame can be folded into a very compact form for storage or transport. The frame has integrated support legs, but the resistance mechanism is in a separate unit. The set-up typically takes only ten minutes or less.
CycleOps Fluid 2 is equipped with a 2.75-lb precision-balanced flywheel to mimic the road feel as closely as possible. The stability is exceptional. The performance is very smooth and quiet. Well, there is still some audible noise, but the volume is much lower than other trainers. For sure, you can train without waking up the entire house or getting your neighbors banging on your door.
The frame is constructed from 2-inch 16-gauge rounded steel, and is equipped with high-quality footpads. As a result, the frame is very firm and stable. It doesn’t vibrate at all, even when you are training at high intensity.
Attaching your bike’s tire to the resistance unit is very easy and accurate. With other trainers, you can’t tell whether the tire is already tight enough or not. CycleOps Fluid 2, however, has a sophisticated tightening mechanism which will allow you to install the bike’s tire without any guesswork. Simply turn the knob until you hear a click, at which point the bike’s tire is already at the optimal pressure.
CycleOps Fluid 2: Any Downside?
Both CycleOps Fluid 2 vs Kurt Kinetic should be used with trainer tires. Although it is possible to use a regular tire, the resistance unit will become extremely hot after a period of continuous pedaling, and the extreme heat can melt a regular tire. Purchasing a trainer tire may seem like an extra cost, but the trainer tire is useful and valuable for the long run.
Another potential downside of CycleOps Fluid 2 is the poorly written manual. If you have ever set up a bike trainer, you probably won’t find any issue because the set-up is actually easy and simple. However, a person who is using a bike trainer for the first time will need to rely on the manual, and they may get confused. Fortunately, tutorial videos on the Internet can help with the set-up process.
Kurt Kinetic: Overview
You need a high-quality trainer in order to get the best benefits, but unfortunately most of those trainers are expensive. The cheaper ones are available, but they are just mediocre in performance and very noisy – except, perhaps, Kurt Kinetic Road Machine 2.0. It is a relatively affordable fluid trainer that is equipped with great fancy features.
As a fluid trainer, this Kurt Kinetic model also uses an impeller inside a special fluid to dynamically adjust the resistance. The more you pedal, the greater the resistance will be. It is also quieter than most magnetic and wind trainers, though it is still quite louder than CycleOps Fluid 2.
The Kurt Kinetic brand has produced some of the best bike trainers since 2000. Kurt Kinetic Road Machine 2.0 is one of their most successful models currently. It is described to combine value and performance. It comes in a striking green color, which you may or may not be a fan of.
Kurt Kinetic: Features
One notable difference between CycleOps Fluid 2 vs Kurt Kinetic is that Kurt Kinetic is fully assembled right out of the box. So, you can attach your bike and start training immediately. This can be a major advantage for people who don’t want to deal with confusing assembly instructions. Kurt Kinetic even includes a DVD that provides the set-up instructions, so you won’t need to browse for YouTube videos just to attach your bike to the frame.
The build quality is good. The frame feels well-made and robust. It is constructed from tig-welded, powder-coated steel that is said to be able to last for a lifetime. The rest of the parts are made of steel and aluminum. The frame won’t develop rust as long as you clean it from your sweat every after training.
Meanwhile, the knobs and feet are made of ABS plastic and covered in rubber. This is to enhance their grip and durability. The feet can hold the frame in place very well without vibrating during an intense training session.
This Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer is also easy to store and transport. Although the full frame is pretty wide to allow comfortable sprints, the frame can be folded into a flat and compact form. So you can put it under your bed or shove it into your car’s trunk. However, the overall unit is quite heavy, so you will need to be careful when lifting it.
Kurt Kinetic Road Machine 2.0 uses a fluid resistance mechanism with a patented magnetic coupler to ensure that the fluid will never leak. The company claims that the resistance unit can mimic outdoor riding to provide exciting training sessions.
Since it is a fluid trainer, it goes without saying that it uses fluid resistance. A blade inside the container with fluid turns, creating resistance. As you increase you pedaling speed, the resistance increases. They have used patented magnetic coupler to ensure that the fluid does not leak. This progressive resistance mimics riding outdoor, making your sessions super exciting.
The resistance unit is quite interesting because it uses a large, heavy 6.25-lb flywheel. Nevertheless, the flywheel is completely sealed. The Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer works more quietly than the average magnetic and wind trainers, but it is notably louder than CycleOps Fluid 2. It is still pretty noisy during an intense workout.
Kurt Kinetic: Any Downside?
As mentioned above, the resistance unit can become extremely hot. It can melt a regular tire. Because of that, you should consider getting a dedicated trainer tire that can withstand the heat, so that you won’t need to replace your bike tires too frequently.
Unlike CycleOps Fluid 2, Kurt Kinetic Road Machine 2.0 doesn’t have a tightening mechanism. As the effect, you won’t be able to adjust the tightness of the tire. This can be a minor annoyance because the tire may wiggle around a bit.
Finally, not everybody likes the striking green color. It doesn’t look as elegant and professional as CycleOps Fluid 2. Some people may dislike this fluid trainer just because of the appearance.
CycleOps Fluid 2 Vs Kurt Kinetic
Conclusion
Between these two fluid trainers, CycleOps Fluid 2 is generally better and more recommended. It works more quietly. The silent performance can be very important if you don’t want to disturb your family members or neighbors. In addition, it has a tightening mechanism which will allow you to attach the bike tire to the optimal tightness with precision.