Yes I think it can. It puts a different kind of pressure on the wheel than riding. Especially when you stop the wheel and tighten or loosen the trainier. The small trainer wheel in one point on the diameter is why trainers ruin tires so fast. I think if you tighten the trainer too much you can ruin the bearings, you are holding the axle from moving away from the force, not like riding a bike. I have ruined two rear bearings on bikes this way.