Live here in Western PA. Tired of not being able to ride much with our weather . Purchased a new CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer . From the reviews a good trainer . Set-up per manufacteurs instructions, that is x2 clicks with tension knob for the proper amount of resistance . I took the advice and replaced my new higher end Continental rear tire with the orignal Felt Z85's rear tire that I had saved. Just after three days of riding there is a raised ridge developing at the center of the tire ? Theses trainers do destroy tires, so beware . Also My Felt has a Shimano 105 group along with the bottom bracket and the crank as well . Decent quality group but it seems that the crank and bottom assembly gets much more of a workout than my typical back country road riding would place on it . I will continue to use the trainer although . Any similar experiences or issues, damage to your bike from a trainer . Thanks

I've got the same bike and a fluid trainer and not noticing anything special with the tire. The trainer I'm using has a red-colored rubbery material and I put ~100-110 psi in the rear tire. Problems with the 105 components and cranks should be zero.

Main problem is boredom.

I am in my third season using my Cycops and love it. Yes it does wear the tire but i just put an old tire on in the fall when i begin indoor riding. I have not noticed any adverse effects on my bike a Domane 5.2. Actually I like the way I can make adjustments and then try them out before ever hitting the road. Yes a little boring but there are many Ytube videos that help

Mike

I feel that turning the knob 2X is too much. You only need to turn it tight enough for the wheel to not slip. I have no issues with tire wear. Also, I needed to replace the resistance unit after two years and Cycleops (Saris) replaced it, no questions asked. They have excellent tech support.

What prompted you to replace the resistance unit? I've been considering this trainer (being in Western PA, like the OP, the weather is not conducive to outdoor riding!), but I wouldn't want to lose days or weeks of riding due to a repair issue after only a couple of seasons.

Problem? You're inside. They make training tires specifically for this use.

I would add the problem of excessive sweat on the drivetrain. I use a large towel to soak up most-- the small add-on sweat shield I tried at first didn't protect my chainrings, front derailleur and bottom bracket enough.

I research bike trainers a lot before I bought the CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer . I liked the fact that it was built in Madison WI , by the Saris Cycling group a small family business . Purchase price was $279.00 plus tax, about $290.00 total . The owner of the shop put it together for me . Best price I could find anywhere on line was $314.00 with free shipping . I have also been using a towel over the handle bars and drive train areas to protect against sweat . I see that BlackBurn sells for $15.00 a sweat net or a sweat bra that straps to the handle bars and the seat post . I will be buying one . Thanks

I purchased one of the first units they made and it had a nylon roller. After two years the nylon roller cracked where is was attached to the axle. It cracked at a set screw which tightened on to a flat in the axle. The replacement resistance unit uses a nicely machined metal roller. I would not have any qualms on buying a new trainer from CycleOps, their customer service was top notch and they treated me well.

Keeping sweat off the bike is my main issue.
I recently got a sweat net and also went to wearing a jersey.

My rollers have the killer wind fan, but I had to buy a one of those electric fans on a pedestal to make the CycleOps trainer even remotely bearable.

I too only tighten the tension just enough to prevent the tire from slipping, otherwise the only tire issue I've seen is some rubber transfer from the tire to the roller. Apparently at times after using, the heat from the roller causes the rubber from the tire to deposit onto the roller. I back off the roller when done, I have had the unit so hot you can't keep your hand on it.

There is the mind numbing boredom to contend with.

Zwift has become the answer for me. I previously had my bike on a dumb trainer and it was so boring, I just couldn't do it very long. I now Have a new smart tacx Vortex trainer that connect with my PC wirelessly and allows me to ride and compete with others up and down hills and also to ride in a paceline and draft others. It is a remarkable difference, and the resistance changes with the terrain. The difficulty is very similar to riding outside. I have done several rides up to 30 miles and about 90 minutes. I find that the competition allows me to get my heart rate up to 145-160 quite consistently and keep it there.

What I have noticed is that it has allowed me to do this 3-4 times a week and get my summer conditioning back and it has allowed me to keep weight down which is always a problem in the winter for me. If you are serious about really using your bike a trainer zwift makes it actually enjoyable.

Good info. Thanks.

If it's getting that hot, does that indicate that it's slipping?

I have a 2013 Z85 and a CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer. I don't use it a ton (I prefer fatbiking out in the cold and snow). My tires and bike are doing just fine. Lisa rides her Kona Lisa (the bike has her name on it!) on the trainer a ton, I think she has 200 miles this month and rides almost every day. No issues.

BTW - I second Zwift, Lisa LOVES it and I dig it too for days when I don't have time to get outside for a ride.

OP also be aware that some carbon fiber frame manufacturers void your frameset warranty if you plug it into a trainer. Many did this for a while (including Trek, although they've relented recently), I cannot speak for Felt.

Fluids are nice in that they keep the noise down and get good resistance. Long-term leakage can happen. I got a set of rollers and prefer them any day of the week.

The resistance unit is getting that hot, transfers to the roller.

My Fluid2 is going on probably 10 or 11 years, now; I actually don't remember when I got it, it has been so long. Could be 5 or 6 years, I guess, but I think earlier. Anyway, it's working just fine, still.

I've never had any tire issues, and suspect the OP's issue is to do with the tire, not the trainer. I also just use old take-offs, like an old front tire off a bike where the rear has worn out.

As of the past few years, I do most of my indoor rides at a training studio on older Cycleops 300 Pro (or PT300s), but when I'm home on the Fluid2, I'm also fully into Zwift, so the only "potential problem" I experience is a desire to upgrade my Fluid2 to an expensive smart unit!

I don't think this is true. Why do think it is so? Curious.