ericleecw

Greetings,

I use 2 different set of wheels for my road bike, 1 for outside riding and the other for indoor trainer. The trainer smooth out the tires and makes it dangerous to ride with those tires when riding outside. Both wheels have the Shimano 10 Speed cassette installed. The outdoor wheel is fulcrum 3 and the indoor wheel is a Bontrager wheel that came with my other road bike.

The bike shop tells me that they can never get both wheels to align so the bike can shift properly. Is that true? Does that mean I have to use the same wheel to ride indoor on the trainer?

My trainer is a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.

thanks

Homebrew01

1) Smooth tires are fine outside, unless you mean you are using a trainer specific tire, which id for indoor use only.

2) Hubs from different brands often have the cassette positioned very slightly different from each other relative to the locknut. That means, when switching wheels, you may need to adjust the rear derailleur a tiny bit each time.

For example, when you switch from Wheel_A to Wheel_B, you turn the barrel adjuster 3/4 turn clockwise.
When you switch back from B to A, you do the reverse and turn it 3/4 turn counter clockwise.

I don't know if very thin shims are available, but if so, they would cure the problem by allowing you to shim out one of the cassettes so the wheels match.

berner

I have the same issue. The wheel for the trainer holds the cassette in a slightly different position. I mark the adjustment knob on the cable with a whiteout pen for each wheel. The difference is two clicks which takes but a moment to adjust.

woodcraft

It might be true that your bike shop can't do it,

but it can be done.

The cassette needs to be the same distance from the dropout on both wheels

which in practice means shimming behind the cassette so that the smallest cog is just proud of the freehub body.

Thin shims are available but a little hard to find.

I haven't tried but cutting your own from a soda can with scissors should work.

I have multiple wheelsets that are tuned to interchange without adjustment.

ypsetihw

if a SHOP can NEVER get it to align, GET A NEW SHOP. better yet, find a friend like me who will do it for free.

ericleecw

Hey man, I am located in Buffalo, NY as well and you and me know riding on a trainer is essential especially during the winter months. I use it even for summer months when I can't get out there during the day.

ericleecw

Thanks berner, I might try what you suggest after i get my bike back from the shop.

ericleecw

Will this work? - https://www.amazon.com/Wheels-Manufa.../dp/B001GSON7Q

this will help having to adjust the barrel adjuster.

caloso

This is why God gave us barrel adjusters.

Bill Kapaun

What if the adjustment isn't 1.5mm?
You also have to be a bit careful adding shims. Too much and you may strip the lock ring.

Another option that is typically frowned on, but will work for a trainer specific wheel is axle shims like these.
Wheels Manufacturing Axle Spacers

To do it "correctly, you would add on the DS, remove an equal amount from the NDS and redish the wheel.
his results in a slightly weaker wheel. It's also a 50/50 crapshoot which wheel needs it.

IF you can make the adjustment by just turning the barrel adjuster a few clicks, that's the way to go. Just remember how many clicks and which way for each wheel.
It's much simpler.

Camilo

Indeed. Any shop that tells you that be incompetent.

At the worst, it should take about 1 1/2 minutes of readjustment swapping wheels. If you have never done it before, reading RD adjustment directions, it might take you 10 minutes, 5 the second time, 3 the third and 1 1/2 minutes every time thereafter.

andr0id

I"m on 11 speed now, but I rode 10 speed Shimano for many years and swapped out training/racing and tubular wheels all the time. I never had to adjust RD stops and maybe had to take 1/2 turn on the barrel adjuster one way or the other. This stuff has to align very precisely and regardless of the manufacturer, there are very close tolerances. The differences are tenths of millimeters.

joejack951

Type 18-8 Stainless Steel Round Shim, 0.1mm Thick, 35mm ID, 45mm OD, pack of 10 for $10.86: McMaster-Carr

I think that size will work. Check your freehub body first before ordering.