Training & Nutrition - Newbie trainer questions

Just ordered a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine after reading posts here.
A couple questions I didn't find answers to:

1.) Are Bontrager 700C H4 tires cheap tires?I know the Online store wants $44 for them so they are middle priced but without competition I don't know their value.

2.) Is there a speed I should run for best use of trainer or should I use a gear combination that I seldom use on the bike? ( I know about cross-chaining.)

I just picked up a Cycleops Jet Fluid Pro Trainer and my LBS had a Bontrager 700x23 tire for $17.50 so I bought one, and a new tube. I decided on a cheap road tire vs. and expensive training tire in the event I want to swap skewers and hit the road if we get a heat wave during the winter months.

I just finished my first 30 minute workout.

I also purchased a ANT+ Cadence Sensor for my Node2. I still need to get the speed sensor for the rear as my front sensor in built-in to the fork on my TREK 2.3. I tried to keep my cadence around 90 rpm. I was sweating big time. Watched Top Gear during the ride.

Walmart has cheap tires. Nashbar has cheap tires. Some bike shops have cheap tires.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCategory_10053_10052_200523_-1_200276_200327

Now that I've received the trainer I see why I didn't get many replies. I read a comparison on trainers versus rollers and was left with the impression that trainers had adjustable resistance. With the Road Machine if you want a harder workout just go faster just like a bike.

I have that trainer.

It's good. It will chew up tires. You will want a fan. And you will need some exercise
dvds like spinervals or movies.

Takes a while to get used to it, but you'll get there.

On a trainer, the quality of the tire is virtually meaningless. If you use it much, you will put wear on the tire so run with something that is cheap, not inexpensive, cheap.

I have that trainer.

It's good. It will chew up tires. You will want a fan. And you will need some exercise
dvds like spinervals or movies.

Takes a while to get used to it, but you'll get there.

You're right about the DVD's. I can do the Nordic-Trak and just listen to music. On the bike I need visual stimulus or a minute seems like an hour. I'm set-up now Thanks.

a trainer specific tire will let you ride without squeeks and slips, and actually set the resistance roller at a realistic level against the tire.

I took pat's advice and bought the cheapest tire I could find. It actually seems to me to not wear as quickly as the Bontrager tire that costs 3 times as much.

I've been using my Kurt Kinetic trainers for a year now. That cheap tire will flatten out and get messed up if you use the trainer more than 3 times a week like I do. I had to invest in a trainer tire because I wore out two extra tires I had pretty fast.

So far the tire I bought has worked out. What tire would you suggest when this one is gone?

I bought the yellow one continental I think for 30 bucks. You can find them on sale sometimes for around 30 bucks.

Here is what I got, so far so good: Continental Ultra Sport Hometrainer Tire (700c), but I think if you can get the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Home Trainer or another one for cheaper do it. They are just made out of tougher rubber. When we do some of our CTS workouts I smell it heat up, but that might be me over tightening the trainer.

I just use an old tire. There's no thorns or glass on a trainer, so just ride it down to the threads.

A great place for noobie cyclist to find a good training program is at MyCycling.com (http://f1c670wb-gvjp27f48303qaybe.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=CYCLING)