mark@gatech.CSNET (Mark Johnson) (11/15/85)
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
ARPA: Mark%GATech.CSNet @ CSNet-Relay.ARPA
uucp: ...!{akgua,allegra,amd,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo,ut-sally}!gatech!mark