Originally Posted by sitzmark .
I have the 300PT - it was my preference for a spin bike at the time I purchased it a couple of years ago. There are probably better options today, both for value and functionality. Really depends on what constitutes value for you. In my case the spin bike was a compromise between my preference for e-motion rollers and wanting to get something "uncomplicated" to encourage my wife to become more committed to cycling. The 300PT does that - 15 seconds to make adjustments before working out, jump on and go. The other desirable feature is that it is rock solid if you really want to crank on it. I'd prefer to ride outside if at all possible, so the CycleOps is set up for my wife, but if I can't get a ride in, I make the quick adjustments and do my workout, then reset it for her.
The detriment of the pre-2010 CycleOps spin bikes is that there is no freehub - i.e. no coasting to give your legs a break during a transition. You crank all the time. The newest versions of the CycleOps released last year do have a freehub. I suggest trying both versions if you decide a CycleOps is your solution. Inventory of these bikes moves slow enough that both are currently in the marketplace. I've tried the new version, but with just a very short demo I was undecided if the cost of a new model justified the freehub. (Older ones cannot be upgraded at this time). Starting from scratch, I'd probably opt for the freehub.
Resistance (regardless of trainer choice) is a poor simulation of actual riding for me. My riding style isn't to drive myself into low cadence grinding, but rather to focus on higher cadence to power through headwinds and up hills. Adjusting resistance and making allowances for the spinning mass of the flywheel to equilibrate is too slow to return the same input as actually shifting gears.
No question, if you're serious about power training and it is "all about you", then first put a power device on your bike and ride outside. How to bring that inside depends on finances, convenience, and logistics. My brother set up a CompuTrainer system for himself (which he thinks is terrific) and a ProForm TdF trainer for his wife. So again, bringing a significant other into the picture might change your approach.