Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive wheel to use exclusively for a trainer? I am looking for <$100 that can take a beating. I am 225lbs and don't want to use either of my good sets of wheels.

Thanks for your help and Happy New Year!

I use an old Neuvation M28 Aero 2 wheel with a worn out tire. I don't trust either the wheel or the tire on the road anymore, but they seem to hold up fine to trainer work, even doing intervals. The Neuvation wheel has probably 20,000 miles on it, and started breaking spokes. I decided to get a higher spoke count wheel rather than investing in rebuilding the Neuvation, so it's my backup/trainer wheel now. The Forte Titan at Performance (here)seems to be built from the same rim and hub (some have said the spokes are different), and is pretty inexpensive.

JB

Buy the cheapest ( around $20 ) 700c bike you can find on your local Craigslist, and have a spare?

Nashbar RD1 rear wheel: $65 on sale right now.

Weight is insignificant on a trainer, since the bike is supported by the rear axle and the roller pressure is applied via spring against the wheel.

Just about any 700c wheel will do, but you need to make sure you buy an identical (or very similar) rear casset too. Depending what your good bike is running, this could add quite a few bucks...and a chain whip too if your want to DIY.

Or: Use your current wheel set and buy a trainer specific tire or a couple cheap slicks.

Thanks for the help y'all. I have had my eyes on Craigslist for a cheapie but just haven't come across one yet. I sold my training wheelset with my last bike and only have Bontrager Race XXL's and don't want to use them on the trainer. I have the trainer specific tire so I'll just keep my eyes open for a cheap rear wheel.