Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Trainer question

Any special equipment needed for using a trainer? Special tire? Hoping to pick one up off of CL tomorrow.

A trainer tire isn't absolutely necessary......they are just cheaper than burning up an expensive racing tire. You do need an absolutely smooth rear tire though. I just run a cheap gumwall on my trainer bike instead of my Continentals or Somas.

I bought the Continental trainer tire and fairly low end wheel for the trainer and it has worked out great. I don't have to swap out the tires, just change the wheel and I am good to go. If your rear skewer is plastic, make sure the trainer comes with one or it will eat it up pretty bad.

You can use any cheap smooth tire. You can spend the money on a trainer only tire, but if you are done outside for the year, you can burn up the tire you have on now and put on a new one in the spring.

I bought the Continental trainer tire and fairly low end wheel for the trainer and it has worked out great. I don't have to swap out the tires, just change the wheel and I am good to go. If your rear skewer is plastic, make sure the trainer comes with one or it will eat it up pretty bad.

Or buy an old school metal skewer, or a bolt on wheel.

I can't imagine my old pug has a plastic skewer but I'll check. Thanks for the info guys.

Picked up a used trainer off CL today a Minoura Magturbo for about 50 bucks...and I'm off for the winter...only 9#;s to go until I lose my Clyde status.

good luck

Hi,
1) A wheel chuck to lift the front wheel up. A couple phone books works as well.

2) A rug or mat under the trainer to cut down on noise. If you get used to using a trainer you wll prob wind up with a fluid one. Less noise.

3) A stand fan is real nice. I need to get one.

4) Spinervals or similar. Helps with the motivation...
I wil also set up in front of the TV and watch an old favorite TV show or movie while I spin.

5) Patience, the first year I didn't do any of the things I just mentioned. I also didn't use it much. But we kinda got used to each other. And now I use it once or twice a week in the winter. Beats the crap outta hitting Spring with jelly for legs.

"2) A rug or mat under the trainer to cut down on noise. If you get used to using a trainer you wll prob wind up with a fluid one. Less noise."

Even if the noise is a non-issue, an old rug or towel will be better to catch the sweat droplets than your carpet.;)

Actually, I picked up an old Schwinn Suburban step thru frame from GoodWill for $15 I use on my trainer. I am way to old and fat to try to climb up on a bike on a front lift and trainer.

Hi,
1) A wheel chuck to lift the front wheel up. A couple phone books works as well.

I have already built a riser block in my shop.


2) A rug or mat under the trainer to cut down on noise. If you get used to using a trainer you wll prob wind up with a fluid one. Less noise.

Noise not a huge issue as I'll be using it in my basement.

3) A stand fan is real nice. I need to get one.

Already have one.

4) Spinervals or similar. Helps with the motivation...
I wil also set up in front of the TV and watch an old favorite TV show or movie while I spin.

Laptop and netflix...need to catch up on my movie watching anyway.

5) Patience, the first year I didn't do any of the things I just mentioned. I also didn't use it much. But we kinda got used to each other. And now I use it once or twice a week in the winter. Beats the crap outta hitting Spring with jelly for legs.

I'm motivated by my goal of a triathlon and a century next year so I think I'll be a regular user, we'll see though.

Turns out my rear tire already has a pretty big rub mark on the sidewall so I'll just trash this one on the trainer, especially since I plan on replacing my bike in the spring.

I used an Elliptical machine last winter and it seemed to keep my legs in pretty good shape. I'm going to ride more this winter. I also cross country ski. Hope spring comes soon

If you wind up needing a tire; just get one at Walmart, or the cheapest one
your bike shop can get. They work fine and many of the cheapies last longer on
a trainer than pricier tires would.

When I put the old girl on the road this summer I went the cheap route on tires anyway (something like 40$ for the pair) so I'm not terribly worried. I think the rear wheel is out of true based on how it's wearing (one big notch on one sidewall) but I don't plan on buying a new wheel at this point as I'm saving for a new bike, something a little lighter and a hair smaller. The pug is a 60cm if I had to guess, a bit much for my 6' frame.

first trainer ride...not bad, will take a touch of getting used to but it should get me through the winter.