FASTandLIGHT

I've been seriously thinking of getting the Kurt Kinetic Rock n Roll trainer for use now that the weather's a little colder outside. I'm worried about tire wear to my Continental Grand Prixs (maybe I shouldn't be?) and was thinking of getting an inexpensive rear wheel w/ a trainer tire mounted to it. My question is this: I'm relatively new to cycling and was wondering how hard it would be to change this wheel out regularly. Say it would be on for the weekdays and then off on the weekends when I want to get out. I'm pretty handy with tools but don't want to bother if it's too complex. Thanks for your help on this one. You guys are great.

remixity

Conti GP 4000's will fall apart on the trainer even with that secret chili sauce -- your best bet is to get either that Conti Ultra Indoor yellow tire, or get a very cheap tire for the trainer wheel.

It's a bit of work, switching back and forth like that, but not unfeasible.

fogrider

if you have a quick release, it should take about 1 minute to change the wheels. this assumes the cassette is setup the same and no adjustment is required of the derailuer.

FASTandLIGHT

so are you guys saying that the second rear wheel also needs the cassette installed?? sorry if this is painfully obvious...

eb314

You could use the same cassette on both wheels, but it would be a lot more work to continually move a cassette back and forth between two wheelsets. I'd definitely recommend just getting the same cassette on both rear wheels, and then the wheel switch will only take a minute or so.

timmyquest

This is painfully obvious

the beef

You can choose to either buy an identical cassette and leave it installed on the second wheel, or swap the cassette between the two wheels. Buying means money of course, but it's also a little more convenient for lazy folks. Swapping the cassette would involve a lockring tool, some sort of wrench (like a large adjustable wrench), and a chain whip. Once you have the tools, removal/installation takes 3 minutes tops.

Note that even with an identical cassette, the gears may not line up exactly in the same spot, which may cause issues with shifting. It should be fine, though. Just something to keep in mind.

remixity

Well, you could switch out the cassette from wheel to wheel if you have the patience and the time to wash your hands of greasy dirt after each switch.

FASTandLIGHT

awesome guys, thanks for the info. do i also need to get the same wheel to maintain consistency (currently ksyrium elite) or will any cheaper wheel do?? i am now planning to get the same cassette as well just to make it easy.

timmyquest

just get a cheap ass wheel that isn't bent...

FASTandLIGHT

nice! exactly what i needed to hear... =) so a cheap wheel with the same cassette and a conti trainer tire seems to be the way to go. thanks!

eb314

Yes. Keep your trainer wheel as cheap as possible.

FASTandLIGHT

last question: here's what i'm going to order: cheap wheel, conti trainer tire, tube, shimano ultegra CS-6600 cassette, and do i need anything else to make this work? my thought is am i missing hardware to make the cassette mount to the wheel or any other parts i don't know about??

remixity

You need:

1) the lockring tool that fits inside the teeth of the cassette lockring
2) a wrench to turn the lockring tool
3) if you ever plan on removing the cassette, a chain whip (basically a tool with a few links of chain that can grab onto the teeth of your cassette and prevent the cassette from spinning counter-clockwise when loosening the lockring)

By the way, cbike.com has the Conti trainer tire at $25, not a bad price.

Also, if you have a 10-speed rear wheel, you can ignore the thin metal shim that comes with the Ultegra CS-6600, because it's for 9-speed wheels with their larger cassette body length.

remixity

I should add that cassette installation is incredibly easy once you buy the two tools.

First, if you have a 10-speed wheel, ignore the metal shim that comes with the cassette. If you have a 9-speed wheel, slide on the metal shim first. You simply slide each chainring in descending order of teeth. The splines on the cassette body match up with those on the chainrings, so it's impossible to screw it up.

There should be clearance between each chainring, so you stick the black spacer wherever appropriate (you're supposed to use all of them).

Then you screw the lockring into place, stick the lockring tool into the lockring, and wrench the tool clockwise to tighten the lockring. It's supposed to be pretty darn tight -- this prevents the cogs from moving around.

To remove the cassette, stick the lockring tool into the lockring, immobilize the cassette with the chain whip, and then wrench the lockring tool counter-clockwise.

eugkim

I wouldn"t bother with the Conti Trainer tire. I had one that spit yellow rubber like crazy. It began slipping like crazy after about 4 hours. I changed to a cheap wire beaded tire and have at least 30 hours with no wear at all.

Having said this, if you're interested, I have a new Conti Trainer that I never used.

late

Too much money and bother... get a halfway decent tire to chew up over the winter.

MulliganAl

I'm in the same situation. I have a Kurk Kinetic trainer on the way and recently purchased a set of Mavic ES wheels. I was going to sell the Mavic Equipes that came with my Tarmac but I decided to just get another cassette and use the wheel and stock Mondo tires on the trainer; this way I won't burn up my Conti 4000s.

LowCel 

I wouldn't spend the money on an ultegra cassettes. I would get the cheapest shimano cassette I could find (same gear ratio though). No need for ultegra on a trainer.

FASTandLIGHT

You guys are AWESOME!! This is all so confusing starting out new and I'm just so thankful for all of you who take the time to share your expertise with the rest of us. Sounds like my final setup is going to be:

1. Cheap rear wheel (same size as what I have now)
2. Tube
3. Conti Trainer tire or cheap wire beaded tire
4. Cheapest Shimano cassette with the same gear ratio (I have the 10 sp Ultegra right now)
5. Lock ring tool
6. Wrench for the lock ring tool (is this just a standard wrench?)
7. Chain whip for removing the cassette

Sweet! You guys are awesome! Thanks again!

LowCel 

Sounds like a good plan. If you are buying from your local shop they will probably change the cassette for $5 if not for free. However, the tools are still great to have. For the lock ring tool I just use a crescent wrench of a bench vice.

ltspd

Cycling is a wonderful sport, but it attracts more than its fair share of jerks.

I've always used the cheapest tires I can find and they seem to work just fine.

FASTandLIGHT

Thanks guys! I may just end up getting the Ultegra cassette as it's on sale at PBK for about 60 bucks.

As for the jerks, I've noticed people here can be pretty opinionated on things but I'm new so I just take things as they come...

Thanks again!

LowCel 

I wouldn't go as far as to say jerks. You have to keep in mind that it is hard (impossible) to detect tone on an internet forum. I find it best to try to give people the benefit of the doubt on here for as long as possible.

FASTandLIGHT

good point. benefit of the doubt given.