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Archive for July 27th, 2009

I took FrankenTrainer for a spin this weekend and completed 75 miles all totalled. I caught up on some episodes of CSI Miami and Burn Notice while pedaling around. I got a wireless odometer, but the range comes up a little short so it won’t actually work receive a signal at the very front of the bike. I had to sit it on the floor to get a reading. Pretty dorky but it worked for the most part.

I have a better one on order which should have a great deal more range. Considering the price it better!

So, I’ve been back to the bikeshop three times so far to get issues with my bike trainer worked out. The first one developed a serious knock which made it damn near impossible to use. It worked, but the racket was deafening.

I took that back and they gave me another one. It was the floor model, but they had been using it and assured me it was quiet. Well, it was but the stand had been used so much that it wouldn’t hold the bike correctly. Combine not locking the bike in place with with my less than fluid biking style and you have a bike that comes out of place. I’ve had to pull my foot out of the clips, kick the lever back in place and then clip back in more than once.

On my third visit they decided to piece together the stand from my old rig and the resistance unit from the new one they gave me. There was much laughing and shaking of heads as they determined what to do. I offered just to buy the next model up and put the issue to rest, but I think they were in the mood to “tinker”. The infamous “I got an idea!” was blurted out and to the back workshop they went.

This combo seems to be working since it’s quiet and holds things in place. I still have no form, but at least the bike won’t come dislodged, hit the floor at 15mph and send me flying into my computer desk. Yes, I bike in front of my computer desk. How else can I watch TV shows?