Road Cycling - Trainers

I'm hoping everyone will be patient with me and keep saying "no question is too stupid" when they read the post, but-

I've never ridden on trainers. However, one of my clubs has trainers in the room (never used either by the other instructors, they are just piled in the corner), and I teach spinning (yes, I admit it, I AM an aerobics instructor too, but strictly for pocket change) there. I was wondering how to set up my bike on the trainer, because if I can pull it off, I'd love to set up some of the trainers and remove some of the indoor cycling bikes and give people the option of bringing their bikes in and doing the entire class on the trainer. Of course, I can't do this unless I know how to do this myself. I'm pretty sure the trainers are the Performance TravelTrac, in case you need that tidbit of info.

Thanks for the help.

K Brown

Koffee,
I have the Traveltrac trainer. I can't find my instructions, but basically you put the back wheel spindles in the cups and turn the handle, then slide lockring over. Do night tighten the handle too tight or the lock ring won't fit. Then release the resistance wheel so it fits against the tire. Be careful, on mine the spring is very tight so I release it slowly.
In addition to using a front wheel riser I also use a telephone book for leveling (I have 650c wheels).
Hope this makes sense.
Kathi

Makes good sense. Thanks!

KB

An important detail: If you have a nice quick release skewer, switch with some old one you have before you mount your bike on the trainer. The mechanism on the trainer that holds the skewer will scratch it. My inexpensive Blacburn trainer came with a quick release skewer for that reason.

Rich

I have a TravelTrac (sold by Performance, actually a re-branded Elite), too. Also kind of new to the trainer thing. I reduce the pressure of the back tire a little, it increases the resistance and reduces slippage. Also, a variable resistance unit is nice, but not real important. You can vary the resistance plenty with your gears. Mine has variable resistance, and I use it to fine tune resistance, but generally keep it set low. I was told fluid resistance is most realistic, and quieter than wind or magnetic, so that's what I got. Also, even though I have 700c wheels, I have to use a 2x6 under the front wheel block to level the bike.

Once you get one, if you discover any good techniques for fighting boredom, let us know. ;)

Once again, thanks for more good tips.

When I get the hang of it, I'll let you know what I do to relieve boredom, but I think I know what I'm gonna do- I've got all this Creed, and I'm gonna listen to 2 hours of Creed. I'm going to close my eyes and zone out completely and listen to that boy's voice when he sings. He's got one of the best voices I've ever heard.

Creed- I even have the symphonic compilations of Creed, so that should be interesting too.

K Brown

I can't say much about setting them up, but I do know that it is debated how much they can damage your bike.

In last month's "Tour" (Germany's bike racing rag), there was a review of several trainers, accompanied by a side-bar interview with a frame-builder. His argument was that all trainers (not rollers) will put stresses on the bike that normal riding does not produce. Since the bike cannot pivot side-to-side on the wheels, as it is designed to do, the forces get put into the dropouts or bottom bracket or whatever. The frame may not break, but it may well fatigue much faster than on the road.

The verdict was, go ahead and use one, but mount and dismount very carefully. Probably better not to ride in a standing position, and if you have to do so, don't rock back and forth. And, better to avoid using your brand new, $3000 _________(your favorite brand here).

So, just a word of caution that you may want to pass on to those using the trainers.

Cheers,
Jamie

P.S. Nice to see you back, Koffee. Were away for a while, or just too busy to post?

Originally posted by Koffee Brown
I'll let you know what I do to relieve boredom
It's all about the music. This evening, I had just started my cool down, and the radio put on Metallica. The cool down had to wait 5 minutes while did some fast spinning. :fun:

I'll let you know what I do to relieve boredom

No doubt about it...music moves my work out.

Koffee I bought an old road bike from the local paper and set it up to fit me and changed out the seat stripped all brake cables and used this for trainer only, I think I didn't want all that wear on my good bike. just my info keep cranking

i can give you just an extra advise... use an old tire with your trainer 'couse it will flat the tire soon and when you go back to road you will feel the square sensation

I find that watching a hockey game helps to remove the boredom factor in cycling on a trainer. If your team is playing, your cadence increases.
Cheers,

Here's an interesting trainer workout:

www.roadbikerider.com/lonworkout.htm

Rich