Product Review

Product: JetBlack Fluid Trainer

Some time ago I got a JetBlack Fluid Trainer from Mick at OnyaBike Belco to review (thanks Mick!). I have finally logged enough hours on it to be able to properly review it.

The first thing to say is that I am pretty impressed by this trainer, especially for the price. One of the biggest things for me is how much resistance a trainer can offer me, and this one is the goods.

The best way to tell you about this product is probably to go through the steps for using it.

#1. Set up. This can be a bit tricky until you have some practise, as the trainer is screws onto the rear skewer and at times you wish you had a third hand. But once it is all lined up and fastened, the bike is very secure. The unit comes with a compatible skewer, very useful if you have the angled Mavic ones- they don't fit- and for preserving the ones that belong to your wheel!

#2. Adjusting the pressure of the wheel roller. This can be even trickier. Too much pressure and the wheel won't turn freely, too little and there is no resistance- obviously! The temperature of the fluid is important, as the fluid warms up it starts to flow more freely so you may need to adjust the pressure again- I have really only noticed this when taking the unit from the shed to somewhere warmer to train (possibly a good reason to train inside and keep it in there :) ).

#3. Getting through the session… actually that has nothing to do with the trainer! Once it is all set up I have found that sessions go by pretty well. The unit is smooth enough to hold a good cadence, quiet enough that I can be training inside while Matt watches the Cats win, and has enough resistance that I can get through SE efforts without using all the gears in my cassette.

*Best tip I can give you for getting through your session however, make sure you get a riser block, or at least a Canberra Red brick, to put your front wheel up on! You might find you spend a lot of time propping yourself back on your seat otherwise as the rear wheel seems to be considerable high off the ground.*

#4. End of session. Unscrew the pressure off the rear wheel and undo the unit from your rear wheel, simple as that.

As with any trainer that involves pressure on the rear wheel, it will wear through your tyre. Best to have a separate tyre, if not wheel, for using on the trainer and the road- square tyres are not fun to actually “ride” on! Although, the fluid means that it is not as destructive as other mag/turbo trainers.

Summing up, despite the minor issues I have highlighted here, I rate the JetBlack Fluid Trainer:

• For the price, this trainer is awesome.
• Once you get it set right, it is super smooth.
• It is quiet, which means training inside when the apparent Canberra temperature is sub-zero.
• It is sturdy, absolutely no stability issues when doing efforts out of the saddle.
• The resistance is great- always happy if I have gears to spare, gives me something to aim for!