Exercise Bike vs. Spinner vs. Trainer

Swapping out a wheel takes 15-30 seconds.  Swapping out a tire takes 2-4 minutes.  The benefits of riding on your own bike instead of a spinner or exercise bike are well worth the minimal time it takes to swap those out.

A tire can last quite a while on a trainer, but I would still recommend getting a trainer tire, designed specifically for trainers.  Will last forever and they are worth the small cost. 

Changing out the tire is also good practice for fixing flats.

x2

Except my tire wouldn't last a week on my trainer.  Not sure why.  I have a cycleops fluid 2.  And my tires get torn to shreds in less than 30 minutes.  I've tried different tire pressures, different tension on the tightening knob thing...nothing worked.  But the trainer tire will last forever.

It's also good practice for changing your tube/tire.

I buy the cheapest brand tire nashbar has for sale and burn it up on the rollers after about 2500 miles and then put on new tires in the spring.

I just bought my first trainer. The cycleops MAx +.  I ride a cannondale CAAD 9.  should I know anything about setting up a trainer. what is needed what is recommened for a better ride. Should i really get a training wheel. what do you mean, tears up your tire... how so???

What you need:

Trainer
Trainer skewer (usually steel and probably came with your trainer)
Towel for all the sweat

What you should have, but don't need:

Trainer tire (Continental makes one.  Usually Orange or colorful)
Riser block/stand for front wheel


A regular tire will be worn down faster on a trainer than on the road.  The heat builds up and little specks of black rubber will fly off.  This destroys the tire and can damage your floor and any furniture in the area.  You can get around this by putting a towel under the trainer and making sure there's nothing valuable in the vicinity.  To me, it's worth it to have the trainer tire, but when I'm lazy I'll still use my regular training tire. 

You don't need a spare wheel.

thanks for the advise.

Is a riser that important.. can I just stick some booked under my front tire.


Should I put a fan in front of me???

Should I put a fan in front of me???

Last year I left my summer race tire (Conti GP4000S) on my bike, and trained with it on my CycleOps Fluid Pro trainer all through the winter.... rode well over a thousand miles ... and ended up riding on it all through the Spring and right up until my first race. Then I changed both tires ... and kept the front tire to use as a trainer tire this winter after I wear through last summer's race tire.... because (hopefully) I'm gonna spin a lot more.

Or, stop by a bike shop, buy an extra set of tubes ... and ask for an old beater tire from the trash to use on a trainer .... they'll either give you one or charge you $5-10.

But don't miss the opportunity to train on your trainer this winter because of tire-anxiety!

Edited by jsselle 2010-11-18 9:20 PM

Last winter I rode over 1000 miles (my first training winter) on my trainer on a 22 year old tire.  I changed my tires and put Cont 4000's on when I started riding on the road in the spring.  I was fine with ancient tires on the trainer, not the road.  I believe the trick to having a tire last on a trainer is to not tighten it down too much.  If you tighten the knob down on the tire too much I've heard it will tear your tire up quickly.  With just the right amount of pressure it seems to last forever.

This winter I have a new Specialized Transition Comp to replace the 22 year old Trek 1200, but I'm going to be putting the same 22 year old tire on it for training until it wears out.  Then I have the other 22 year old tire to train on after that.  When they are done then I will probably buy new race tires and use the Mondo's currently on there for trainers.

Jay