mikeoh

hi, I am new here and have a (probably stupid) question. I have a Minoura RDA 850 bike trainer that I got for free from a buddy of mine. I'm trying to set up my older Schwinn Varsity road bike for training during the winter months, but I am not sure how to set it up because the directions on the Minoura website only explain how to set it up using a quick-release skewer. Anyone have experience using this kind of trainer with an older bike? Thanks in advance.

joejack951

If the Minoura trainer is anything like the other ones I've seen, the special quick release that's included with the trainer is necessary for proper mounting. The quick release has tapered ends that fit into the receivers on the trainer to properly hold the frame. Unless you can somehow graft a similar tapered cone onto the ends of your axles, it sounds like you are out of luck. Well, not completely out of luck. You could always replace the axle on your bike with a quick release axle and use the Minoura quick release.

rmfnla

The trainer should work fine with your boat anchor/ I mean Varsity (sorry, couldn't resist ).

The QR they include is to replace high-end aluminum and carbon parts that would get mangled by the trainer's mounting system. The mounting cups should fit over the rear axle nuts on your Schwinn just fine.