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From: mark@gatech.CSNET (Mark Johnson)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Indoor trainer
Message-ID: <1970@gatech.CSNET>
Date: Fri, 15-Nov-85 07:57:14 EST
Article-I.D.: gatech.1970
Posted: Fri Nov 15 07:57:14 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Nov-85 03:45:17 EST
References: <1440@ihlpg.UUCP>
Reply-To: mark@gatech.UUCP (Mark Johnson)
Distribution: net
Organization: School of Information and Computer Science, Georgia Tech, Atlanta
Lines: 24
Summary: Houdaille "Road Machine"


My roomate has a Houdaille Road Machine which is completely different
from other "wind trainers". It consists of a large(~12in diameter), heavy(13lb)
iron flywheel which is connected via belt to a freewheel. This assembly replaces
your rear wheel providing relatively normal stresses to your frame. It is also
much more stable and quiet than the wind machines I have ridden ( Racer Mate 
and Vortex ). This simulates the road much better than other wind trainers. 
The heavy flywheel "coasts" unlike typical wind machines. I like the feel much 
better than that of a typical wind trainer and feel that I get a better 
workout. Others I know who have ridden both seem to be evenly divided 
as to which gives a better workout. Most who don't like it cite the fact that
it allows you to cheat by "coasting" where typical wind machines don't. 

The latest Bicycling has a comparison test of a number of indoor trainers
and has a picture of the Road Machine. Other than the pictures the test is 
pretty much worthless. 
-- 
Mark Johnson

(404) 894-2746 		(404) 894-3152 

CSNet:	Mark @ GATech		
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