LeMond launch innovative new indoor trainer

The new LeMond Revolution wheel-less indoor trainer will be available in the UK from early December following the announcement that Saddleback, distributors of Felt, Zipp, Vredestein and SRAM road products, will be taking on the US brand for 2011.

Unlike a traditional trainer where a roller creates resistance against your back wheel, the LeMond Revolution integrates with the drivetrain on your bike. You take your back wheel out and mount the rear dropouts directly onto the trainer, changing up and down through your gears in the normal way thanks to a cassette that’s fitted to the unit. The Revolution works on progressive wind resistance so we’re guessing it’s not the quietest trainer out there – but we’ve not used one yet so we can’t say for sure.

"Compared to traditional roller-based trainers, the Revolution represents the difference between riding on the road, on a great bike, on a great day and riding your bike with a flat tyre, uphill, in sand,” said LeMond Fitness founder and three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond. “Who wants to ride in those conditions? The design creates a smooth, natural feel while pedaling and eliminates inertia lag when the rider slows down or changes gears."

Clearly, you’re not going to get any tyre slippage or wear with this design, and we’re told that the frame won’t flex so you can easily ride out of the saddle.

"The Revolution has an incredibly solid feeling to it, something that is often missing from rear wheel trainers," said Team Garmin-Transitions’ David Millar. “I own about four home training devices at home, the Revolution has instantly become the favourite.”

The Revolution fits all road bikes although you’ll need an adaptor to fit a Campagnolo cassette. It’ll retail for £425 without a cassette fitted and £470 with a Shimano/SRAM compatible cassette.

For more info go to www.saddleback.co.uk or www.lemondfitness.com.