Recently bought a new Cycleops trainer to ride this winter.
Now what else do I need.? It comes with a video, but I imagine I'm going to want some others??
What about this plastic front wheel stand I see at the stores??
And what about my rear wheel/tire. Do you suggest I get a seperate wheel and tire for this activity, or simply swap out my gatorskins for the original equipment so I don't wear it out?

Any other thoughts or suggestions would be great.

I'm sure I'll be board out of my mind... but If I can get in 15-20M on the days when it's just not happening outside then I think I'll be good. Besides, I live in Denver - 300 sunny days a year so I'm sure I'll probably only use the trainer when we get clobbered with snow. Or when I get off of work to actually see the sun... so then again I may be in the basement alot this winter....


R

It depends on what type of training your going to do. I purchased the cycleops for controling my weight during the offseason. I tried the video, but found it boring and difficult to maintain the speed intervals. I found the best way for me was/is to ride during world news - I also use my second road bike, not really sure I want to clamp my primary bike in the trainer. Ive heard it takes a toll on the frame, but Ive heard the opposite as well. I also sucked it up and bought the front block deal as well. I started out with a book, but what the hell. I focus on hitting 700 calories each ride, and within a certain time frame. The heart monitor really helps with tracking and keeping motivated.

Get the block, or use something to keep the frame
level, it helps.
I never changed rear tires, and it didn't seem to be too
much of a problem (although I don't use my good tubulars
on it).
Video's are a good thing, check out Spinervals, they have
quite a few.
You want a fan, you'll get very hot riding the trainer.
I'd also suggest something to protect the bike from sweat,
I use foam pipe insulation since I've been riding rollers and
the sweat cover really gets in the way. Either way something
to protect your bike, cause you will sweat!

Marty

The patience of a saint to put up with the boredom.

As was said before it depends on what you want to do. If you're just gonna ride for limited periods of time then a cd player or tv might do you just fine. If you need motivation to do intervals and drills then you might check out the spinervals videos. I personally use World Cycling Productions race tapes as my motivation.

You will definately need something under your front wheel to level the bike otherwise you will feel like your sliding off the saddle. I use phone books, but I am cheap ...

I have a seperate bike for training on the trainer/poor weather. When I had just one I had a seperate rear wheel and used an old tire. You will find that your tire will wear extremely quickly.

Yup you will .... don't think about the boredom though and you will be okay, just focus on what you're watching or listening to and it will go faster then you think.

Yeah, you're definately going to want a fan. If you have a ceiling fan ride under it, otherwise some kind of fan in front of you pointed directly at you. I was always cold for the first couple of minutes, but after about 5 minutes I was more then greatful to have it there.

This is also important ... I just use a towel, again cause I cheap, or poor, or both. In 15-20 minutes it won't be a big deal, but if you start doing intervals or longer stents on the bike you will find that you sweat a lot and it doesn't do anything other then drip directly on your top tube.

A lobotomy will really help.

I use a phone book for the front wheel, a towel for a sweat guard, and I have a spare wheel that I've used with a cheapo tire on it. The tire will wear more quickly on the trainer, so I wouldn't use my good tire. I haven't heard of anyone hurting their frame with a trainer, unless they don't set it up right.

I'd suggest putting a fan in front of you, too. A ceiling fan has never been enough for me. I've got one that sits at about face level.

And I've watched the first three of Lance's Tour victories repeatedly while training. A good movie will also help. Some just need music, but I get bored not looking at anything.

Don't have a clock in view. You'll just sit there and wish that the half hour or hour you told yourself you'd train would go by. (The whole watching water boil thing.)

Any issues with an AL bike versus steel... and no I don't want to launch another debate. But seeing as AL can be stiffer, would you think that might cause fatige while in a static stand?

I have Ritchey Comp wheels, but would really like to have a set of Ksyrium Elites, this may be just the excuse my wife needs to agree to give in...

Thanks for the assistance. The lobotomy sounds interesting, but I think I'll pass.

I have heard of frames fatiguing while being used on a trainer, but I have only heard about it under extreme conditions, i.e. someone using their bike on their trainer only for intervals, sprints, etc for extended periods of time. I assume the same could be said for someone too large for the bike putting undue stress on the frame.

I have however not heard of any differences between frame types and the amount of stress put on the frame. Your argument makes sense, steel would be able to give more, but in the above conditions I believe you would see any frame fatigue eventually.

I have been using an AL frame on a trainer for three years. Last year I spent multiple hours at a time each night on the trainer and never felt like I was damaging the frame nor does it show any visible fatigue. Thank god I moved to a warmer area.

I can certainly understand why someone might want a seperate bike to use as a trainer.. Throwing a Pinarello in a trainer just sounds like sacrilege.

But if both bikes aren't about the same size and fit, I could imagine some interesting dysfunctions while moving back and forth on a regular basis. (get your minds out of the gutter...)

Kind of like going from my Road bike to my MTB. Always a bit akward for a while.


I'll just have to see how it works.
Thanks

I've had my C-dale on a trainer over the harshest of weather days for the last 5 years with no issues and some intervals. I don't do intervals every time I'm on it, but I'd still think that I would have seen some kind of problems if they were prevalent under normal use.

Throwing a Pinarello on a trainer isn't sacrilege if you're training on it. It's all about being a better rider, and the bike realizes that you're trying to make it look better by working hard in the bad weather season.

Oh, and don't use quick release skewers that you want to stay pretty. Just thought of that.