BIKE TRAINER QUESTION!...NEED HELP! Calling all bikers!

[gatorphipps]

Hey All! Have question for all you bikers!

Just got a bike trainer and decided to try it out tonight! I have a road bike....Well I must be stupid b/c I never thought about it messing up my back tire. It says some wear on the tire...but hey...the road does this too...

But DUDE! It thrashed my back tire! And I only went 30 min! There is rubber from my tire all over the place...it was even up my back...

SO HERE IS THE QUESTION! When you train on a trainer, do you just keep normal wheels on the bike, or put another kind? If you use another kind...what and do you change it out everytime you put your bike on the trainer?

 

[MelRhoads]

Christa- I occasionally put my bike on the trainer, but I don't like to. We have a piece of junk dedicated trainer bike. It is WAY too big for me but I just deal w/ it. I don't think it should have shredded your tire like that. I would recommend that you go by your local bike shop and have them check your tire to make sure it is ok. Also, I would have them show you how to set it up so that does not happen. You could get a set of training wheels (but I wouldn't want to spend all that money b/c if you do, you will have to get wheel, tire and cassette) I'm wondering if you had the tension set too strong??? Take it by the bike shop to have them help. Road bike stuff is too expensive to be expendable!!!! Good luck.

Oh, btw, I think the trainer is WORSE than the TM!!!!!!!! It seems to take the beauty out of riding!!!

I would also PM Lynn and ask her. She probably has more bike trainer time logged in than all of the other WISHers combined!!

 

[lap3]

I second the post above. Having your LBS check it out may be of some help to you. Also, springing for a second set of training wheels may be a good idea. You can use them for the trainer but also when you log in your training rides. By the time race comes around, you'll be flying on your race wheels!

Melrhoads, I agree the trainer just isn't the same as actually riding but it sure helps to warm up and stay fit. I usually lug my around to the local crits for pre-race warm-ups.

 

[stego]

there really is no need for a set of trainer wheels (unless you really enjoy spending money). Take the bike and trainer (or detach the wheel with tire) and bring it to your LBS. I can only guess that the tire was really old; you set the pressure too high. Too many variables without me seeing a picture but that would be my guess. I rarely use a trainer but 90% is for my mountain bike (which has knobbies) and that is for a 20 minute warm-up before the race. I don't set the tension high because it's a warm-up: spin and get the legs going-sometimes spin my cadence higher with short bursts. The only other times I put my smooth wheels on with my other bikes is because the weather outside is not fit for beast...very rarely in central Texas but it does happen. I rather be outside when it is 30 degrees and the wind is howling...to each his own, right? The trainer is a tool and should be supplemented as such...not as a primary. The best way to simulate conditions is to actually be in them. Cycling is a different; and you are new to it so ask some folks about how they train etc. Good luck!

 

[gatorphipps]

Thanks guys! I will check with my LBS.....

Melissa, I totally agree with you. The trainer is BORING! And worse than the TM!

I rather be outside when it is 30 degrees and the wind is howling...to each his own, right? The trainer is a tool and should be supplemented as such...not as a primary. The best way to simulate conditions is to actually be in them. Cycling is a different; and you are new to it so ask some folks about how they train etc. Good luck!

Stego - I have been cycling for 2 years, but just never used a trainer. The only reason I am trying it out is b/c I have a DH that works long hours and sometimes there is noone to watch my girls when I need to ride. I tottalllllly would rather be outside on the bike! But sometimes it is either use a trainer or not ride that day. Running, I can normally take them to a track or get on the TM. But sometimes there is just noone to watch the children when you need to get a ride in. ....My tire, however is kinda old...never took that into consideration! Thanks!

 

[skfulkers]

Christa--I don't really have anything to add, as I haven't used a trainer yet, either, but Krista just bought me one for our anniversary, so let me know if you figure out what was trashing your tire so I don't make the same mistake. Other than the tire, how was the 30 mins on the trainer? I've heard horror stories as well about how boring it is, and I plan to use it a lot over the winter to keep up my cycling. So basically, if it was really that bad, make something up and tell me it was really great! I'd rather live in denial.

By the way, how did your century ride go? I had forgotten to ask you and I haven't had a chance to see if you posted about it.

Steve

 

[mogulskr]

I unfortunately spend way to much time on my trainer in the winter. Hours at a time and I've never had an issue with tires. Did it shred on the side wall or on the bottom? Maybe it was positioned to far over and rubbing the side. Also the tension of the roller against the tire may have been to much, get it so you can crank good on it and it won't slip anything else is to much.

I use spinverals to cure the boredom, if you are during interval work it goes by much faster then sitting there and trying to just pedal along.

Hope you get it worked out.

 

[thndrmatt]

I put in hours on my Kurt Kinetic, and didn't see the slightest tire wear... I use the same tires I race on... In my opinion it's a more difficult workout than riding outside just because the resistance is constant, no downhills to be found! Sounds like a setup issue like other posters have said...