Originally Posted by
chadteck
This actually makes sense. It's fairly obvious that the frame is subjected to more stress on the trainer since the bike is constrained from tilting side to side. It doesn't matter that the lateral position of the wheel doesn't change on the road, it matters that the wheel (and frame) are allowed to tilt freely.
The point about the wheel being allowed to absorb some flex is good as well.
Nobody is claiming that a bike on the road isn't subjected to stress. I think the point is that the frame is probably subjected to considerably more stress while in the trainer.
It's not obvious at all that a bike is subject to more stress on a trainer.
1) The stress of putting 200lbs of bike and rider into obstructions such as potholes at a considerable rate of speed is completely eliminated. While one can debate the stress from holding the rear wheel in place, my bet is road related stress is much more substantial.
2) Nothing in the warranty or Owner's manual of my bike says not to use it on a trainer. Nothing in my trainer's owner's manual says not to use a CF bike on it, and in fact the photos show a CF bike. If this were such a problem you can guarantee the lawyers would have warnings, and warranty exclusions all over the place.
3) Ever watch a TT? All sorts of folks are warming up on trainers with high dollar CF frames, yet one does not see those frames self destructing.
CF frames are a whole lot tougher than many people think, and the thought that there is undue stress from riding one on a trainer is silly.