The CycleOps Fluid 2 has a larger flywheel than its predecessors which makes a contribution to a more practical feel. We're talking about a 2.75 lb 'individually precision-balanced ' flywheel. Each flywheel is balanced, just as each of your tires are balanced at the local tire shop (at least they are balanced if you don't want to experience premature wear patterns or aggravating 'wobbles ' in the wheel). This individual balancing treatment is imperative because you'll not think well of a roller/flywheel apparatus that is out of balanceconstantly reminding you that you could have sprung for a better quality liquid tutor.
The rationale a heavier flywheel contributes to a more realistic ride is rather simple. When we accelerate out on the road we have got to overcome the inertia of our weight and the weight of our bike. Overcoming the inertia of a heavier flywheel on a trainer accomplishes the same task, making the ride more pragmatic.
Measuring CycleOps Liquid 2 Noise Level On Telephone App
If the entire 'a heavier flywheel is better ' idea still isn't making sensethink about a trainer with a flywheel no heavier than a potato chip. You might 'spin up ' without working up a sweat; but that is not how it is on the road, except if you're traveling straight down.
The CycleOps Liquid 2 Bike Trainer's Quiet!
Something that's frequently mentioned is the quietness of this coach. CycleOps improved the position of the sealed-cartridge bearing to provide an 'ultra-quiet ' ride. I do not know if the sound level is being likened to noisy wind trainers or mag trainers, but it's duly noted that riders are able to watch their favorite 'Simpsons ' reruns while riding on their trainers without blowing out their TV speakers.
Calibrating For A Pragmatic Ride
My Powertap Showed About 400 watts At 25mph
The CycleOps Liquid coach also has a wide resistance level due to what the company calls 'Power band technology'. They have altered the silicone fluid levels in the power unit to reflect a road-like feel.
I don't know if you're aware of it or not, but CycleOps makes the very popular 'Powertap ' power meters. What they've done is to calibrate the Fluid 2 trainers so the coach requires 400watts of effort in order to spin the tutor at 25 miles per hour.
Having ridden tens of thousands of miles with a Powertap on my road bike, I'm able to tell you the proportion is reasonable. There isn't any reason to split hairs relating to if it takes 375 watts or 400 watts to go 25 mphthe point is that you'll be sweating like a dog if you're pushing the CycleOps Liquid 2 at 25 miles per hour for any length of time.
Resistance Levels Are More Than You'll Need
The amount of resistance is virtually infinite. I've seen the statistics of how many watts are wanted to be generated at numerous mph on this coach. When I saw that the unit could resist up to (and doubtless more than) 800 watts, I knew that it had what it takes. There is no way that a wind coach might provide such resistancenor could a mag tutor.
Don't forget, the company calibrated these units using their Powertap wattage meters so you can be assured that the power band is practical.
Some Assembly Needed
The instructions for assembly are not as clear as they may be. 1 or 2 owners noted having trouble following the directions, with one or two noting that they were given fantastic help from the service office. Of course it'd be preferable to not have to call them to begin with.
One chap wrote that he was going to return his CycleOps Fluid 2 tutor for a refund because he could not follow the shoddily written instructions. I'd be cautious of doing such a thingmuch less writing about it in a review, as I wouldn't want to risk making everybody familiar with my shortage of mental acuity (I keep that a heavily guarded secret).
Two Notes Concerning The 'Foundation ' Of The Fluid 2 Bike Tutor
Look Closely To See Black Fast Load Cam Lever On the Right
Before getting into a couple of the 'frame ' issues, let me say this coach has a lifetime warranty. I include that attribute in this section because there's little more 'solid ' than the guarantee that you will not be left hanging with a defective trainer.
The last thing you would like is a frame that creaks and bends when you are riding. The CycleOps frame is made from 2 inch round 16 gauge steel, and it has adjustable footpads so that if you are riding on an uneven floor you won't be rocking on 2 or 3 legs.
The quick load cam lever is exclusive to CycleOps and allows you to get your cycle into and out of the coach easilyand at the same resistance level of your prior ride. Now that's convenient because it's kind of tedious 'setting up ' the entire. Indoor coaching station time and time again.
It includes folding legs for storage, as do just about any of the top quality trainers.
A note about heatI've noted somewhere else on this site the internal temperatures in a liquid coach can reach up to 400 degrees. Naturally that is hard on any equipment, particularly hardware that includes the potential for liquid seepage.
CycleOps has patented a fan design on the Fluid 2 that allows it to self-cool. That is a very important feature in the 'this coach will not leak ' category.
The rationale a heavier flywheel contributes to a more realistic ride is rather simple. When we accelerate out on the road we have got to overcome the inertia of our weight and the weight of our bike. Overcoming the inertia of a heavier flywheel on a trainer accomplishes the same task, making the ride more pragmatic.
Measuring CycleOps Liquid 2 Noise Level On Telephone App
If the entire 'a heavier flywheel is better ' idea still isn't making sensethink about a trainer with a flywheel no heavier than a potato chip. You might 'spin up ' without working up a sweat; but that is not how it is on the road, except if you're traveling straight down.
The CycleOps Liquid 2 Bike Trainer's Quiet!
Something that's frequently mentioned is the quietness of this coach. CycleOps improved the position of the sealed-cartridge bearing to provide an 'ultra-quiet ' ride. I do not know if the sound level is being likened to noisy wind trainers or mag trainers, but it's duly noted that riders are able to watch their favorite 'Simpsons ' reruns while riding on their trainers without blowing out their TV speakers.
Calibrating For A Pragmatic Ride
My Powertap Showed About 400 watts At 25mph
The CycleOps Liquid coach also has a wide resistance level due to what the company calls 'Power band technology'. They have altered the silicone fluid levels in the power unit to reflect a road-like feel.
I don't know if you're aware of it or not, but CycleOps makes the very popular 'Powertap ' power meters. What they've done is to calibrate the Fluid 2 trainers so the coach requires 400watts of effort in order to spin the tutor at 25 miles per hour.
Having ridden tens of thousands of miles with a Powertap on my road bike, I'm able to tell you the proportion is reasonable. There isn't any reason to split hairs relating to if it takes 375 watts or 400 watts to go 25 mphthe point is that you'll be sweating like a dog if you're pushing the CycleOps Liquid 2 at 25 miles per hour for any length of time.
Resistance Levels Are More Than You'll Need
The amount of resistance is virtually infinite. I've seen the statistics of how many watts are wanted to be generated at numerous mph on this coach. When I saw that the unit could resist up to (and doubtless more than) 800 watts, I knew that it had what it takes. There is no way that a wind coach might provide such resistancenor could a mag tutor.
Don't forget, the company calibrated these units using their Powertap wattage meters so you can be assured that the power band is practical.
Some Assembly Needed
The instructions for assembly are not as clear as they may be. 1 or 2 owners noted having trouble following the directions, with one or two noting that they were given fantastic help from the service office. Of course it'd be preferable to not have to call them to begin with.
One chap wrote that he was going to return his CycleOps Fluid 2 tutor for a refund because he could not follow the shoddily written instructions. I'd be cautious of doing such a thingmuch less writing about it in a review, as I wouldn't want to risk making everybody familiar with my shortage of mental acuity (I keep that a heavily guarded secret).
Two Notes Concerning The 'Foundation ' Of The Fluid 2 Bike Tutor
Look Closely To See Black Fast Load Cam Lever On the Right
Before getting into a couple of the 'frame ' issues, let me say this coach has a lifetime warranty. I include that attribute in this section because there's little more 'solid ' than the guarantee that you will not be left hanging with a defective trainer.
The last thing you would like is a frame that creaks and bends when you are riding. The CycleOps frame is made from 2 inch round 16 gauge steel, and it has adjustable footpads so that if you are riding on an uneven floor you won't be rocking on 2 or 3 legs.
The quick load cam lever is exclusive to CycleOps and allows you to get your cycle into and out of the coach easilyand at the same resistance level of your prior ride. Now that's convenient because it's kind of tedious 'setting up ' the entire. Indoor coaching station time and time again.
It includes folding legs for storage, as do just about any of the top quality trainers.
A note about heatI've noted somewhere else on this site the internal temperatures in a liquid coach can reach up to 400 degrees. Naturally that is hard on any equipment, particularly hardware that includes the potential for liquid seepage.
CycleOps has patented a fan design on the Fluid 2 that allows it to self-cool. That is a very important feature in the 'this coach will not leak ' category.
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Learn more by reading our full Cycleops Fluid 2 Review at http://cycleopsfluid2.org/
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