Customer Reviews

CycleOps Stackable Climbing Block for Indoor Bicycle Trainers

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went looking for more info on this product as i was curious about the "4 separate height adjustments" on the ribbon brochure and i could only see 3 possible positions. It turns out that 2 of the separate height adjustments are using a 2nd climbing block in combination with the first: back-to-back and front-to-back.

As far as i can tell there are the three positions with the one climbing block. Measuring how high the front tire is raised gives the possible height increases of 1.25 inches, 1.75 inches and 2.125 inches (these are eye-balled so not perfect).

The combination of a CycleOps trainer and my wife's bike raises her back tire 1 inch off the floor so like the previous reviewer, Adam Rhuberg said, the block is more like a leveler than a climber. Unless you buy that 2nd climbing block of course.

I purchased the CycleOps 2 Fluid Trainer and bought the climbing block to go with it. First comment, I can't see using this trainer without the block because your back tire is raised quite a bit when connected to the trainer. Other trainers might be lower to the ground and maybe this block isn't as necessary. Second comment, I don't feel it's much of a "climbing" block as it is a "leveling" block. Each slot does have variations in the grade, but they're not extreme... you won't feel like you're climbing Alp D'Huez. The minor flaw is that there's no identification on the block in terms of what slot you're using. There are theoretically 6 different ways you can position your bike in this, and if you're like me and you constantly break it all down and put it away, you never know which slot you had your wheel in before without putting the bike in, eyeballing the level of the bike, and possibly getting on the bike to see if it feels right. Kind of a stupid oversight in product design if you ask me.

This is a good quality product. It does its job in lifting the front wheel of my bike off the ground while I'm using my trainer. As previous reviews have indicated, the "climbing" aspect of this product only comes with stacking two on top of one another to create a hill. My goal with the block was just to raise the front wheel, so I've stuck with just one. I have found that the block sometimes gets caught or snags on the burbur carpeting it sits on, which is fixed by a few minor adjustments including placing a smooth mat underneath. I can't say I notice a difference in the various positions on the block, so I just keep it in the same slot each time. I too wish there were numbers or even indicators on each slot to indicate position. Overall, I like the product.

If you buy a Cycle-Ops it is worth the few extra bucks to pick up this block. What it does is allows you to simulate varied terrain. If you want to practice hills you can on the block. Besides the simulated terrains, which really works, it allows your bike to be perfectly still and will not sway when you are working out. I have one that I use every time I break out my trainer and can't see using the Cycle-Ops without it. It is definitely worth the few extra dollars to provide you with a better workout.

This stand is perfect. It gives you a few different settings and provides stability. This is a must with any of the trainers, because it makes your bike level; otherwise you would be exercising at a serious decline.

It doesn't matter how high your front wheel is, it will not simulate an actual hill climb because you are not working against gravity. It can only simulate your *position* on the bike when climbing a hill. If you want to simulate the important part of a climb, i.e. having to work harder to gain elevation, crank up the resistance on your trainer.

This is simply a stabilizer block for the front wheel when using the bike as a trainer. It keeps the front wheel from twisting around, elevates it to make it level with the rear wheel and provides a stable stand for it. There are several different wheel grooves, for different elevations. The curved wheel grooves match the contour of the wheel and help keep the bike from putting forward/backward pressure on the trainer, possibly making it creep during the workout. Not much else to it. I am very glad that I included it in my order for the CycleOps trainer since I didn't want to nail a bunch of boards together to duplicate this.

This CycleOps Stackable Climbing Block essentially does what it is supposed to do. It raises your tire to simulate climbing a hill. First things first. If you purchase just one of these to use with a trainer, the best it will do is raise your front tire even with the back. Indoor bike trainers raise your tire, and this thing merely raises the front to be level with the back. You would have to stack them (they are stackable) to achieve any height. This being said, I don't see how stacking these things would provide a harder workout. With my wheel on the ground, I do not feel as if it is easier than in the block. You're not fighting gravity like if you were walking/riding up a hill (or on a treadmill), so I don't see how this "climbing block" would simulate that. It simulates the position of uphill riding, though, and maybe that's all some people are looking for. In addition, the levels (there are six, supposedly) are not marked. Therefore, unless you mark it yourself, you have no way of knowing what slot you had it in. Small quibble, but a quibble nonetheless. Lastly, it WILL slide if you want it to, but it is VERY stable. It does the job I wanted it to do perfectly, which is to level my front wheel with my rear on an indoor trainer. It doesn't scuff up my hardwood floor, and that is a definite plus.

Overall, I am pleased with the construction and usefulness of this product, for what I use it. It is sturdy, well-built, and does not mar the floor. On the other hand, it is not well-marked, and it doesn't seem to simulate a "climbing experience." I didn't figure it would, though, so I am pleased with my purchase.

the climbing block is the one accessory I would recommend to anyone buying an indoor trainer. It stabilizes your front wheel for those really intense workouts and the height of one is just enough to add a little something to your workout. My only dislike is that I wish the three grooves were differing heights, but then this is also a stackable item so I should stop being cheap and buy another one if I want more height.

Overall its just an overpriced piece of plastic, but it does its job well and it will probably never fail due to a sturdy construction. I generally use it on floored carpet or rugs and it stays securely in place during a stationary ride. Postride I usually pack the bike away to make floor room, but unfortunately this is not foldable or convenient to store. Could be better, should be cheaper, so I am completely satisfied but not thrilled with it.