Accessories For Trainer?

I got my first trainer about 2 weeks ago.  The only accessory I got was the front tire block.  I just use a hand towel between my aerobars as my "sweat net".  I do know some people use the movable gym mats beneath the supports for their carpet, but I keep my trainer in the garage (rainy days in Florida is the only bad training weather we have).

As far as tire ware goes I couldn't tell you.  I think the only concern I would have is if I torque up the rear riser too much and put too much pressure/force on the rear portion of the bike.  But again, I couldn't imagine you putting more pressure on your tire from a trainer than you are from road conditions.

IMO I don't think there are any other essentials for a trainer.  Here's what I use:

• Phone book in place of a riser block - in the past I have also used a box of tiles and left over pieces of laminate flooring
• Towel - lay it over the top tube and top cap, stem and most of handlebars
• Tire - old retired road tire; I leave one bike on the trainer all winter - if you only have one bike and will be using it on the trainer and outdoors, then maybe an extra wheel is in order

Shane

I second the Kurt, set mine up yesterday.  I am hoping to wear out my tire this winter, good excuse to buy new ones

Joe

Keep it simple:

Fan..must have
towel to wipe sweat or like me two wash clothes..to wipe my head and my nose
spray bottle to keep myself cool
music
Block for front

Get the continental trainer tire...about $22 at Probikekit.com
You can not ride that tire outside so if you riding inside/outside it means changing your tire ever time.

I have bought cheap $10 tire and used it one winter, last year I bought a cheapish heavy duty tire for trainer but it was $30. I have used old Pro 2 tires but they tend to start making noise and slipping. I figured this year it was time to get the continental trainer tire. It is made out of different material so it doesn't shed like other tires do.

This year I have a new bike..cyclocross bike..that I'll use for winter riding with fenders so my power tap wheel will stay on the trainer on my tri bike for hard winter interval workouts.

I know the tire gets a lot hotter on the trainer, but this explanation makes no sense.  Yes, the tire is on the trainer the whole time, but hopefully when I am on the road, the tire is in contact with the road the whole time as well. 

I use a riser block, a small hand towel and a fan (which never seems strong enough).  I usually have a dvd going as well, or an iPod with a magazine (but that seems harder to sustain than the visual distraction of TV).

I bought a Kurt Kinetic that came with the trainer mat, riser block and computer.

A thick rubber trainer mat is a necessity IMO - for noise reduction, protection and keeping the buckets of sweat off my hardwoods. 

If you go with a Kurt Kinetic, the optional watt computer that attaches to your rear wheel and fairly accurately measures your power - useful training tool.

Spinervals/training DVDs or for that matter, and DVD of movies, television series - anything to keep you sane. Trainer miles are worse than treadmill miles. 

My trainer gets hot, but not hotter than black asphalt in the summer in South Carolina.

If you have an extra rear wheel, use that one as a trainer wheel.  I spent the money to get a trainer tire (thicker and doesn't squeal). 

Just use some old towels to absorb the sweat.  I put one on my top tub and wrap one over my aero bars so I can still see my PM readout. 

I recommend getting a risor block because you can use it to adjust the height of your front wheel to simulate climbing, etc.  YES, you can use a phone book too, but when I come out of the saddle to "power up a hill", I don't want to slide off of it. 

I really like my 1-up btw.  And, if you wait until you attach the roller to the wheel to pump it up, you will get a tighter fit and it will squeal less.

For risers I use a phone book and biology text book

 I have a trainer tire but never use it because too much of a hassle and time to put it on and off when I ride outdoors.

 You MUST have a fan, tv, and or radio....ok that's a joke. Enjoy the sweat fest.

Yes many have.

call them, number is on the website.