CycleOps Silencer: The heavy magnetic trainer features solid, sure-footed construction - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: The magnetic resistant unit is relatively quieter than many other trainers - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: The padded feet are height-adjustable - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: You can buy the Silencer with or without a cassette - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: Securing the bike is simple, with a lever on each side - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: Washers dial in the fit - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: Slotting the dropout between washers takes just a few seconds - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: The dropout engagement is rock solid. And unlike a standard trainer, you don't have to worry about scuffing up a quick release or swapping it out for another one. (Since you're looking at it - the carbon repair was done by www.brokencarbon.com) - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: Once tightened, the securing arms pivot back out of the way - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: There are five resistance levels controlled by this indexed lever - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: The handlebar clamp for the resistance adjustment - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: We would appreciate wider threads on the quick release for less fiddling to get the thing on and off - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: Even when used on hardwood floors, the Silencer remains firmly in place and isn't too loud - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: There is a slight differential (~1.5cm) between the rear height and the front. We fixed it with a small book - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
CycleOps Silencer: A solid option for winter training - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The new CycleOps Silencer magnetic trainer is a direct-drive design comparable to the LeMond Revolution (wind resistance) or Wahoo Kickr (magnetic). The$650/£550 Silencer is certainly heavy at 39lbs (17.6kg), but the construction is surefooted. In initial testing we found that it doesn't wiggle or walk at all, even on hardwood floors, and the trainer-to-bike connection is rock solid.
Initial setup and regular-use setup are both quite simple. After bolting the unit to the base, it's just a matter of popping off your rear wheel, and putting the bike on the Silencer's cassette in much the same way as you'd put on a new wheel. Washers round out the fit, and hefty clamps secure the rear dropouts on the wide-thread axle (and then pivot back out of the way of your heels).
CycleOps silencer: the dropout engagement is rock solid. and unlike a standard trainer, you don't have to worry about scuffing up a quick release or swapping it out for another one. (since you're looking at it - the carbon repair was done by www.brokencarbon.com) : cycleops silencer: the dropout engagement is rock solid. and unlike a standard trainer, you don't have to worry about scuffing up a quick release or swapping it out for another one. (since you're looking at it - the carbon repair was done by www.brokencarbon.com) - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The bike frame is held firmly in place via easy-to-operate levers at either dropout
The Silencer holds the bike at an effective rear-hub height of 35.5cm, slightly higher than a 700c wheel with a 23c tire (24mm, ground to center). So while you don't need a front-wheel block, you may notice a slight downhill orientation. We put a small book under the front wheel and called it good.
In addition to controlling resistance by shifting gears, there are five resistance levels on the Silencer, adjusted via a handlebar mount. The end result is resistance from barely there to more than we could reasonably push.
CycleOps silencer: there are five resistance levels controlled by this indexed lever: cycleops silencer: there are five resistance levels controlled by this indexed lever - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Five resistance levels are available via an indexed lever
So, about the name: note that it is 'Silencer,' not 'Silent.' With the rub of a tire and the swish of a fan removed from the equation, the Silencer is noticeably quieter than a standard trainer — especially at higher RPMs or higher power. And it is certainly less noisy than the LeMond Revolution. But it is not silent. Riding the thing in the living room in front of the television, we were able to hear the TV and conversation in the room at normal levels — but we still annoyed the other people in the room.
The Silencer can be purchased with or without a 10-speed cassette, and it can be used with 11-speed cassettes as well. Purchasing the Silencer with a Shimano cassette brings the price to $729/£600.
As CycleOps is the sister brand for power-meter company PowerTap, we wonder whether there will soon be a Silencer with a power-meter option, similar to the CycleOps PowerBeam Pro Trainer.
Check back soon for a complete review.
CycleOps silencer: a solid option for winter training: cycleops silencer: a solid option for winter training - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
