With their best early-season results ever, the Postal boys are clearly already in express delivery mode. Indeed, they even look fast standing still when warming up on their stylish Fluid2 TT trainers from Cycle-Ops. And with a record snowfall in Halifax, I had plenty of time to put it through the spin cycle…
If there is one essential piece of equipment for a cyclist living in northern climes, it is a quality trainer. Yes, it is ultimately an exercise in sensory deprivation biking indoors, but considering that I torture others for my research, it’s only fair play to torture myself for fun. However, trainers are also excellent tools for cyclists in regions where cycling year-round is possible. Indeed, I use my CompuTrainer or Tacx rollers throughout the year, especially when I’m doing sustained efforts where I don’t want to be distracted from the workout by lights, traffic, or changing terrain. Of course, trainers are also the ideal warmup tools at races, especially time trials and crits. Therefore, if you’re going to be using a trainer consistently for years, it is definitely an advantage to invest in a quality unit. The Cycle-Ops definitely fits that bill.
I do not possess our TechNSpec Editor’s thunder thighs nor his bad trainer mojo, and can’t boast that I’ve ever set a trainer aflame. Regardless, over four weeks of varied indoor workouts ranging from recovery rides and sustained efforts through to some serious tongue-dragging following along to Marty Nothstein’s new sprinting workout DVD (look for upcoming review), the Fluid2 more than held its own against any wattage I could throw at it. Cycle-Ops chose to design the Fluid2 for higher power outputs to ensure that the big gear mashers and the Posties did not have a problem with maxing out the trainer. For mere mortals, though, I actually found the trainer somewhat tougher than I would have liked at times.
The “Power Band” technology, marketed as closely replicating road feel, actually felt like I was riding up a false flat of 2-4% grade the entire time. Coupled with the inability to alter the resistance with anything except by changing gears (unlike mag trainers where you can “artificially” reduce the resistance levels), led to my spending most of my efforts in two gears lower than what I could probably handle at the same effort on the road. For me, this meant the 39x19 for endurance rides and that I had to throw on the 23 cog for one-legged pedaling drills. And before you start snickering at my wimpy wattage, most all of the elite riders in the included Carmichael training videos were doing all of their hard efforts in the small ring too!
None of this should be considered a design flaw, but be aware that it may be tough to perform some pedaling drills like high-rpm spin or one-legged pedaling with the Fluid2. Cycle-Ops suggested that the resistance can be lowered by removing some of the fluid from the unit, but I doubt anybody would care to do that and risk blowing a seal somewhere. On the other hand, the unit is very smooth and progressive in resistance. There was none of that chunky pedaling feel you often experience with some units when you’re mashing big gears, and no need to tighten the rollers more than normal. The resistance changed pretty quickly and smoothly upon acceleration.
Road feel aside, the other major consideration with a trainer is the logistics. The Fluid2 was well-constructed and had a good heft about the unit and the rollers that made it clear it could stand up to a fair amount of abuse. The two legs fold in or out very simply, and can be slightly adjusted to compensate for uneven surfaces. More importantly, the quick release design holding the rear wheel truly lives up to its name. When setting up for the first time, you screw the holding bolt into one of three possible holes. Clamping down the rear wheel is then just a matter of flicking down the lever like a slot machine arm. Couldn’t be simpler, plus the big screw adjusting roller tension is hefty and sturdy. Noise level is quiet and let me watch TV at a normal volume, but then anything is blissfully quiet compared to my Tacx rollers set up with two resistance fans (visualize a Cessna in your rec room)!
The Fluid2 is reasonable in price ($299 US MSRP), considering that the unit is so well-built. To complete the Postal look, you can upgrade to the TT limited edition, complete with deep blue paint scheme and all five of the Carmichael training videos for $399 MSRP.
About Stephen: Stephen Cheung is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with a research specialty in the effects of thermal stress on human physiology and performance. His company, Podium Performance, also provides elite sport science and training support to provincial and national-level athletes in a number of sports. He can be reached for comments or coaching inquiries at stephen@pezcyclingnews.com.
Roadside St. 14 When you start each new Giro you understand you’re a year older. You feel a stranger to the village approach and for a moment ... More....
Professional cycling has, over the years, attracted only a few documentary film makers. A few, such as Jorgen Leth’s “A Sunday in Hell,” have even ... More....
I’m just digging out from a few days at the BMC training camp, and while I won’t be reporting on doing Jaeger-bombs and Redbulls with Cadel & George, ... More....
As the final Madison got underway the arena was packed to the rafters, all the talk of Six Days in crisis forgotten for now. The finale was ... More....
Six Day racing comes to Berlin for the 99th time on Thursday, 28th January, 2010 with the great tradition of winter track racing in Germany in a ... More....
American Classic spent the last couple of years reworking their line up and the 420 Aeros are the latest to leave the bench. Take a look at the new ... More....
A couple years in the making, Pez head up to see arguably the top custom builder on the planet. We hit Serotta's NY shop, take a peek at their ... More....
You’ve still got today and all of tomorrow to ‘git ‘er done! Your holiday shopping that is… and armed with the complete set of 4 gift guides ... More....
If the stocking's not full - somebody's not doing their job. Good thing we're here to help with a big ol' bag full of the kind of stuff we'd love to ... More....
Winter riding is almost upon us - except for you lucky Aussies - and that means less riding outdoors. But with an indoor trainer and a Netflix ... More....
Many ergogenic aids, both legal and illegal, have been touted as the magic bullet that will improve cycling performance. What about something that ... More....
Having goals is one of the important first steps in achieving your dreams. They can be small goals or they can be big goals, but without them you’ll ... More....
Is cycling your religion, or at least one of them? If so, you’re not alone. Many people define themselves as “spiritual,” even if they don’t practice ... More....
Post-Giro Roadside: I love Scotland; but there’s no Gazzetta in the morning, most of the coffee tastes like John Wayne brewed it beside the ... More....
Sunday July 20th 1969; that’s 40 years ago now but I remember it clearly as the day that I first became aware of professional bicycle racing – I was ... More....
Roadside Recap: As we make our merry way through the rounds of the PEZ Looks Back, Ed is up for his retrospective on the Tour that was. As the ... More....
Coming on four years ago, Saul Raisin was one of THE big things in US pro cycling. Top 40 in a hard Tour de Suisse and mountain king at the Tour de ... More....
The last time we spoke to Garmin's Steve Cozza was after the 2008 Paris - Tours; where he produced another solid performance from a consistent and ... More....
Just about to start his second season with Cervélo - thanks to strong Classic rides and his first Grand Tour finish, in the Giro - Englishman, Dan ... More....
In October, nine-time Tour de France rider Frankie Andreu announced that he would be Director Sportif of the Ohio-based KENDA Pro Cycling p/b ... More....
With so many (too many?) others looking back to best-of-2009 or decade highlights, why not look ahead? A new decade beckons, after all, so who better ... More....
We first talked with Lostende Bike Tours owner and avid cyclist Allan Reeves about his Pyrenees Cycling Challenge, from the Atlantic to the ... More....
So, riding in Texas is mostly flat, with only tumbleweeds and armadillos to avoid right? Well, not exactly. You see, Austin is situated in what’s ... More....
Roadside St. 14 When you start each new Giro you understand you’re a year older. You feel a stranger to the village approach and for a moment ... More....
Professional cycling has, over the years, attracted only a few documentary film makers. A few, such as Jorgen Leth’s “A Sunday in Hell,” have even ... More....
I’m just digging out from a few days at the BMC training camp, and while I won’t be reporting on doing Jaeger-bombs and Redbulls with Cadel & George, ... More....
Race report: Alejandro Valverde stayed upright to seal his Vuelta victory – the first Grand Tour win of his career. On such a short stage, ... More....
Race Report: Today David Millar won his 5th stage in all his Vuelta’s, he was given one of the swords that Toledo is famous for along with the ... More....
The loss of Franco Ballerini is not one that will be forgotten anytime soon. The sport's best are at a loss and two of the greatest riders of our ... More....
Updated! Hallelujah, they're racing in Qatar, and I just got back from celebrating with every other New Orleanian on Bourbon Street. There's ... More....
It was a dark Sunday morning in Italy when the news services announced that Franco Ballerini, ex-professional, former dual Paris-Roubaix winner and ... More....
The maracas shake, 'Cara mia, mine !' blasts from the PA. Bang! The little cannon fires and the hall fills with smoke. Yes, this is the right place, ... More....
When the K-Mart Classic of West Virginia stormed through the state in the mid-90s, it opened awareness as to just how great the bike riding is in ... More....
After riding the final 17 sectors of Paris-Roubaix yesterday, and typing to you with still swollen, sore, and blistered hands, I understand to my ... More....
Stephen Cheung is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with a research specialty in the effects of thermal stress on human physiology and performance. His company, Podium Performance, also provides elite sport science and training support to provincial and national-level athletes in a number of sports. He can be reached for comments or coaching inquiries at 
![](javascript:showpic("http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/amclass/amc420alarge.jpg",900,698);)
![](javascript:showpic("http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/serotta/meilarge.jpg",2000,1244);)
