text: what type of indoor bike trainer should i use with my gary fisher hardtail mountain bike? is there a certain brand or type that's good for mountain bikes? i know nothing about the trainers. cycle-ops is a good trainer. they run anywhere from about $150 or so for a wind trainer up to about $250-300 for a fluid trainer. the wind trainer is the closest to a real ride feel (but noisy) with the fluid running it a close second in terms of feel but much quieter. you will need to get rid of the knobby tire for a smooth tread one like the others have said. another trainer to consider is the minoura rim drive. it runs the resistance on the side walls of the rim instead of the tire. the max speed recommended is about 25mph from what i remember but the bright side is that it won't wear down your tires so the knobbies can stay.