Another Trainer Question
 

I guess Performance doesn't ship manuals with their products any more.

I'm new to cycling, and to using a trainer. I'm trying to figure out the tension between the trainer and the wheel.

When I stop pedaling, should the wheel immediately stop rolling? Or should the tension be loose enough so that the tire spins a couple seconds then stops?

thanks for the help

(bump) Help

Mine stops pretty quickly, depending on how fast I was going. My mag trainer has 3 resistance settings, and I use the middle one. When I adjust the rotating thingy (sorry for using technical terms like thingy when you don't have a manual to look it up ;) ) against the tire, I turn the know until the metal touches the tire, then I turn it just a little bit more (one full turn for my trainer).

As long as you don't get 3/4 cup of tire shavings from riding the trainer you should be OK.

You're tire should make just enough contact with the rolling surface so that it doesn't slip while your pedalling.

I use the Performance TravelTrac2000. I've had it for about three years. There is substantial spring tension that maintains contact between the rear tyre and the fluid unit drum (roller). When I cease pedaling, the rear wheel will come to a stop within 2-4 revolutions. And that's probabaly with an initial speed of something equivalent to 20mph.

I dont' know what is right but I set my CycleOps up such that I don't get tire skid. I try to go with as little tension as possible and still not skid the tire on the roller.

I apply just enough pressure. I test by spinning the wheel, then stopping it. If the drum skids, I add a hair more pressure. I find that my wheels "squeak" when I have too much pressure or wheels are dirty (a little rubbing alcohol keeps tire and drum clean).

Oh, I use a 1-Up USA Trainer.

I've been using a CycleOps Fluid-2 trainer. As I recall, the manual says something like "enough to make contact and then a half turn more". If it's too loose, it will slip; if it's too tight, I think it will heat up more. They do say that it may lead to increased tread wear, but I've not had any of the experience of some here who claim that their tires were literally shredded...

Yes, most trainers will stop rather fast. As you pedal in one direction, the trainer's roller turns (resistance) in the opposite direction. Stop pedaling, and it no longer has to resist, so it stops. After a workout, a nice cool-down cadence is not only good for you, but it probably doesn't hurt the unit either.

I'm using the Performance Century+ Fluid Trainer, which is the one with the little handlebar mounted lever for adjusting the resistance (the thing appears to be a re-badged Elite, BTW). There was a sheet with mine that advised turning the knob so that the tire just contacts the drum on the resistance unit lightly. So far this works well and I've had little wear on my ($9) tires either. The wheel does spin down quite rapidly but this depends on the resistance setting too. This is a nice trainer for the $130 that I paid (love those 20% discount codes....).

Joe