danlikesbikes

Just heard through the grapevine that riding my bike on an indoor trainer is going to wear out my frame. Should I be freaking out since i have this new bike with carbon seat stays (the rest is all steal)?
I dont really have cash to shell out for another bike just for using on the trainer i just shelled out cash for. I ordered the 1upusa trainer should be here friday.

Matt Gaunt

It knackers your tires, that's for sure. I've never seen frame failure on a trainer, and I can't imagine it does an amazing amount of harm to it. If you're worried, pick up a cheapo bike from a Cash Generator or whatever and use that on the trainer instead. You'd only have to spend another £30 max if you shopped around.

HillRider

You're late. Normally this question come up in November or December.

Trainers ill effect on bike frames is always debated and the consensus is "maybe". I'd be very hesitant to put a bike with carbon stays on a trainer, just because the rocking torque can't do the steel/carbon joints any good.

One possibility is to get a super cheap used bike and dedicate it to the trainer. None of the components have to be good, weight isn't an issue, the brakes don't even have to work, it can shift raggedly and you can fit $7 tires. All it has to do is be about the right size. I got an old 10-speed Schwinn for $75 and you can probably do better than that. If nothing else it keeps you from wearing out the high quality components on your good bike.

As to tires, trainers don't HAVE to chew them up. Adjust the tire/roller tension so that grabbing the rear tire and yanking it around firmly causes a tiny bit of slip. Too tight or too loose will shred tires. Adjusted right, tires last a long time and don't spray a stream of rubber dust on your floor.

Da Tinker

For what it's worth, Waterford discourages using a bike in a trainier, unless they have built the frame specifically for that.
https://www.waterfordbikes.com/2005/d...ion.php?qid=19

I had a frame failure on an old bike. The chainstay cracked where it joined the dropout. The bike had been used extensively in a windtrainer. My good road bike has never been in a trainer.

DocRay

Oh man, that's hilarious, they talk about bottom bracket clamping "wind trainers" -good advice, ...for 1982.

I ride long winters on my road bike on a trainer. No issues. If you had a dropout crack, it likely would have done it on the road. Modern trainers suspend the weight on the dropout, identical to road conditions, but without road shock from hitting bumps or forces from cornering.

Short answer, no problem.

Just don't use road racing tires, the compound is too soft and will shred. cheap, hard tires or special trainer tires.

DonPenguino

I would advise against carbon, but aluminum and steel, any metals really, should be fine.

thecause17

I was wondering about that too, but my last trainer used it's own specific quick release that came with it to use in placeof the factory one, and then the trainer just mounted on the drop out off of that...that's no more stress than riding, the weight is resting at the same point. I never had any rocking issues that would cause stress anywhere else with a set-up like that.

cyclezealot

Mine attaches to the rear axle with a special skewer. Have been told now this warps the frame. True. I bought it because I thought it better on the tires and rims. Prefer to damage a rim over warping a frame.

thecause17

thats basically what I was talking about too....i never viewed it as a problem, with rims or frame, only way I could see doing anything to a rim is having the tension way to tight, otherwise there shouldn't be much weight on the rim itself, it should all be at the drop-out, correct?

CBolt

Do they make rollers attached to a resistance device? The kind that you actually ride the bike on.

spunkyruss

Yes, but I don't have any experience with them.

rmfnla

What's a trainer?

cyclezealot

This would seem to change the angle of bike and its' weight distribution. we need a frame guy to add his input.

Deanster04

I think that Continental makes a trainer tire with a different composition that won't overheat. Also, a Specialized Armadillo is pretty indestructo for that purpose.

capwater

Armadillo is a great trainer tire. It'll outlast the trainer!

thecause17

This is how my last one was set up...

Da Tinker

I ride long winters on my road bike on a trainer. No issues. If you had a dropout crack, it likely would have done it on the road. Modern trainers suspend the weight on the dropout, identical to road conditions, but without road shock from hitting bumps or forces from cornering.
QUOTE]

But don't forget the side loading imposed when you shift your weight while the bike is in the trainer. On the road, the bike shifts, but it cannot in the trainer.

To further cloud the issue, the dropout did crack during a road ride. But I believe that hard trainer sessions were a contributing factor.

Or perhaps it was just the monster sprint power I have.

cyclezealot

Mine too. Very similiar. Mine is a Minoura. works great as long as it is not warping the rear triangle.

sykerocker 

From this talk of trainers, I assume the old three-rollers-on-a-frame no longer exist? Used them for years, as it simulates riding on the road I couldn't see where you could possibly hurt the frame. Always found they gave a more realistic workout, too, rather than something that merely posted resistance to the rear wheel.

Syke
Deranged Few M/C

HillRider

Yes they certainly still exist and are available in several brands and price levels from all of the big mailorder places and most LBS's. Kreitler is considered the best (and most expensive) brand but there are lots of others out there.

Rollers do mimic road riding and put pretty much the same load on a bike but they take some practice to use comfortably and you have to continually pay attention to what your are doing. Most roller users can tell a story of being distracted and "riding" off the rollers into a basement or family room wall.

I do want to reiterate my reasoning for having a dedicated trainer bike. Even if the trainer doesn't hurt you frame, why do you want to wear out and corrode with sweat your good components? You can buy a used beater for less than the cost of replacing a mid-line cassette and chain on your good bike.

thecause17

I know where you're coming from with that, but my reasoning for it really is that I like to be on the exact same bike as I'll be on when I'm out on the road...that's basically why I don't ride a basic exercise bike too...I want the same familar feel all the time, if I have to do a little more maintenance because of it, then so be it...

NASCAR drivers practice and qualify in the same cars that they race in, same idea...

HillRider

True, but someone else is paying their bills.

thecause17

Good point.

NomadVW 

Yes. Both Kreitler and Minoura make resistance style rollers.

I ride the Minoura Super-Mag rollers with a mag resistance. I don't worry about any of the frame issues because my bike moves freely. I'm no pro, but on the lowest resistance level of the Minoura rollers, I ride an 1-1.5 hours between the 42x19 and 42x23 ranges. If I put the resistance all the way up, I'd have to ride the granny of my triple to have gear change ranges.

VW

jbrians

If you are worried about pooching a good rear tire with too much trainer time, save a tire that you've changed out because it was too worn out for road use.
After all, it's pretty hard to get a flat indoors.