Olympic Cyclist vs $28 Aldi Bike Trainer

One of our editors found a bike trainer at Aldi for $28, so naturally we had to test it. Test Editor and Olympic Cyclist Bobby Lea puts the trainer through the wringer to see how it holds up to different training efforts, and even if it can work with Zwift.

#Olympics #BikeTrainer #Aldi

[mattsaljanin]

Thank you for this. I only ride 20-30 miles on my outdoor rides at around 12 mph & was looking for something not too expensive to use on rainy days. Thank you!

[xspireddreams]

I think this illustrates that if you just need an indoor trainer, you can train inside on a low budget and I definitely appreciate the fact that nowhere in the video does it say, 'you should spend a bit more and get this, or for an extra $X you can get this', sometimes people don't have the extra budget and then any suggestion is irrelevant anyway. I've been looking for a trainer with a budget of around £300-400 - but this actually would suffice and be good enough for what I would use it for which just goes to show that some people spend way more than they need to. Unfortunately, that being said, turbo trainers are sold out everywhere at the moment due to current events.

[pauliboo]

Thanks for doing this test, you’ve convinced me to buy a trainer, I’ve hesitated due to cost, we’re not all made of money.

[dragonracer]

This sprint seemed like he hit the rev limiter on an engine. V-tec.

[EnricoMarino]

I started out with this trainer. I had it for a solid year and it still holding on strong after two years. My wife’s uses it and loves it as well.

[brianreed]

I've had mine for nearly two years and still working well.

[joynthis]

Yet the Cervelo will probably break first.

[MikeKobb]

I was seriously expecting it to catch fire. :-)

[mikedaly]

The reason that the speed on zwift and speed on the head unit are different is because zwift knows that you are not using a trainer that can adjust based on the gradient you are riding. Zwift takes this into account and lowers your speed so you have to push harder when climbing.

[reddaB]

I have that! Got it for £25. It's got Decent resistance, you can certainly tire yourself out on it.

[kieranpotts]

Should hear the sound it makes when I use it with my mtb with downhill tyres

[memememe]

I have had one for a few years and use with a hybrid/fitness bike.
It loud, but i have earbuds.
Resistance is good and adjustable especially if you use gears too.
Its probably not the one to get for a serious roady. But for general cardio fitness it us great.

[juanitasalas]

I just found this video and can’t find an affordable trainer at ALDI or anywhere. Can someone recommend a link or a store to buy a beginner level affordable trainer?

[andyheilmann]

I use a cheaper trainer. I have been using it for about 3 years now and haven't had an issue. I don't bother with the change in settings, and I can get solid 2.5 hour rides in no problem :)

I'm sure a more expensive trainer would be better, but not for what I need it for

[JoshKablack]

This has largely been my own experience with other Aldi bike accessories. Not perfect, and definitely not high end, but usually outperforming their discount price tags.

[garettreid]

Awesome. This is something I'm looking for. Something cheap af that I can do some quick rides on my porch cause I'm tired of spending 2 hours to ride 30km cause of traffic when I have things to do.

[seanstephensen]

Speed on zwift is not supposed to read the same as your bike computer - it recalculated speed based on the grade/terrain in-game

[cryora]

How do you know when the resistance is tapped out? When it makes that loud buzzing sound?

[TacticallyFitOfficial]

If I’m not a hardcore cyclist but just want something for winter time what’s the ideal? Also are they always so loud? Just want to turn on a movie and ride!

[needfaith]

Bad thing with that trainer is. After a while, it shreds your tire up. I didn't notice at 1st. Then one day the sun was beaming in on the bike and my black floor in the porch. Where I ride it. It look very dusty, so I got my broom and dustpan and started to sweep it up. That's when I noticed, it was like black soot. That I look at my back tire and sure enough, it was wearing it down. So I got rid of it. So I would say if you have old bike you don't care about and you don't mine cleaning the mess it leaves behind. Your good to go!