FEEDBACK OMNIUM TRAINER REVIEW
Larisa Chinces & Robert Thorpe
It’s quite simple really, Feedback Sports make the very best engineered products in cycling. They truly do, just take a look at the tool kits and workstands – they are works of art that you could decorate your house with… even if your non-cycling partner doesn’t agree 😉 So when Feedback Sports decided to make a trainer, it was always going to be an example of engineering awesomeness.
Yes, in basic form the omnium trainer may look a bit like one or two others out there, but it’s like saying that a Ford KA is just like an Audi TT – they do both have wheels and a metal body, but that’s about it.
The Omnium trainer is super strong, with well engineered hinges, all the parts move easily and allow the necessary adjustment for the bike and rider and it looks super stylish too. It’s a heavy trainer, simply because it’s been made with top quality alloys and put together to stand the test of time. Setting up the trainer, it comes in it’s own very strong carry bag, which is useful due to its weight. It comes neatly folded and setting up is easily done with a simple lifting down of the rail with the mini rollers on, adjust it and set up the distance ideal for you and then fit your bike, less the front wheel and off you go. Both Robert and I found this simple and easy to do.
With our own setting up, we found it best to get a friend to help set the adjustment length with you first time, as this allows you to weight the bike and to get the distance marked accurately before you pedal. If you don’t do this, it can take a few tweaks before it feels right. However, once properly adjusted you’re free to pedal forever, safe in the knowledge that you’ll never fall off and it rolls away smoothly. 🙂 If it does seem to judder a bit, then as I say, getting a friend to help fine tune the length will resolve this. Then simply mark the position with tape.
We had several members of the team here test the Omnium, even passing it around a few novice cyclists to get them used to the idea of an easy storage indoor trainer. It proved to be a fun trainer and easy to use too, allowing them to use their own bikes. All of the riders loved its simplicity and ease and use to set up, along with the build strength. Teams and riders the world over use the a Omnium for pre-race warm up, and it’s also worked well as a pre-ride and post-ride trainer for us guys. It’s also easy to transport and has followed us on flights abroad, fitting easily into a suitcase and giving you a training option whilst overseas.
Once we’d given it a full team test here in the U.K. it was over to our reviews editor and racer Larisa to give it a more professional look over. Larisa trains extensively and races both road and mtb in Transylvania and as the Omnium seems to be an often used pre race trainer back in Feedback Sports home territory of the States, it seemed time to let Larisa loose on the Omnium. Taking the Feedback Omnium onto the plane was easy, as it packs into a small bag with a handle, and then easily into a suitcase, alongside cycling gear. Off to Transylvania then, setting it up with Larisa and getting it fired up once more.
Recently, we’ve all been dealing with quarantine and restrictions in one way or another, all around the cycling world. In my case, I had to stay indoors because I don’t have a garden (lucky are those who have! 😉 ). So, what did I do? I had to plan my trainings inside; yes, the classic “cycling trainer” and bodyweight exercises. The omnium trainer from Feedback Sports is a hybrid between rollers and a normal turbo trainer, and is super well made and stylish looking too. It’s a favourite for lots of teams on the US racing scene, being easily portable.
One thing that I really liked about the omnium turbo trainer, was that compared to most turbo trainers it’s very quiet too. The small rollers are very heavy and of top quality materials and bearings. It looks and feels tough and yet retains great looks. For a lady cyclist like me it’s very easy to mount and dismount it and takes up a small place to store, as Robert wrote above. We’ve really loved travelling and testing this trainer and it’ll definitely get lots of use in the future – between riding in the mountains that I’ve had to just look at recently.