I have a cheap trainer (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aosom-16b-Bi...-/110723747481) and a not-so-cheap bike (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...01&scname=Road) and the two are not getting along. I bought the trainer last year after my first full season of cycling. It worked fine all last winter... w/ my Crosstrail Sport hybrid.

Fast forward to the present. I cannot keep my new Roubaix firmly mounted in this trainer. I've fallen out of the trainer 3 times in 2 rides (not fun when clipped in), I never feel level (seem to be listing slightly to starboard) and the bike feels as if its working itself loose in the mounts. The plastic insert inside the left side mount (which fits over the "tightening" clamp on the rear axle) has suffered some wear/damage, I assume from all he miles put on it last winter w/ the hybrid.

In addition to being frustrated as all hell about this, I'm also concerned about damaging my not-so-cheap bike in a cheap trainer. I use an all-steel training axle while on the trainer, but is it possible to clamp the bike too tight in the trainer? I don't want to damage the frame due to intolerable torque or stress.

Can y'all help a noob out? ADVICE, PLEASE!!!

Are you using a trainer-specific quick release skewer with it? Something like this?



Edit -- I see you use a steel "axle" which I assume is this.

You shouldn't need to tighten the trainer so much that you fear for your bike's life. Can you post pics of your mouting points for the trainer and pics of the bike mounted in it? Is the quick release coming loose from the bike? My trainer skewers have much less clamping force for a given QR lever force than my regular riding skewers.

Yeah - you need to change your rear skewer. Yours is likely not the right shape, and thus doesn't have a great fit into the trainer clamps. I see this every day.

What you need is one that looks like this:

What kind of quick release are you using? You need a basic, heavy, rounded quick release.

*edit - looks like I was a bit slow on this one.

We need a video of you+bike falling out of the trainer to diagnose the problem.

is the trainer carbon or steel/not steel?

Option 1: Use the old Crosstrail on the trainer

Option 2: Get a better trainer.

/Thread

Yes, I'm using a skewer such as illustrated above. I'll have to snap a couple of pics of the trainer's mounting points. No, you cannot entertain yourself w/ video of my semi-controlled, f*bomb-laden crash to the left. Abstractform20, I don't understand your question.

Just tighten it down more. You won't hurt your frame. All you are doing is compressing your rear wheel axle, which is harmless. Make sure the QR ends are centered in the mounting cups and the QR lever isn't interfering with the mounting cup.

Also, just say'n, but sometimes cheap things don't work as intended. It is quite possible the mounting points are loosening due to vibration as you are using the trainer. I had a Blackburn Trakstand (Blackburn's cheapest fluid trainer) where the screw tightening the resistance unit against the tire would loosen as I rode. If this is the case, perhaps a little blue locktit might work.

This.

"off"

dont buy cheap **** problem solved

I have a sort of cheap/ worn out trainer. I actually use a mavic QR in it and I clamp it down to the point where I need to put my body weight onto the locking lever to get it to snap in. I have never damaged my carbon framed bike (Knock on Carbon).

In any case I would say just crank it down more, problem with your trainer is that both sides seem to screw inwards to lock the thing, this makes it harder to get sufficient clamping force. Sort of like if you had a skewer where both sides could only be tightened with your fingers, no QR lever, no alan bolt to put some torque on with, just finger tight. That is basically how your trainer seems to be designed.

I would say look for another trainer on craigslist. Lots of people sell them for around 100$ and alot of times they are actually pretty good trainers, plus you can atleast try locking your bike on it.

lol, I have the same trainer and it's not the trainer's fault but only you.

I fell from it before and it was ONLY because I didn't have the bike fully locked in it.

You have nobody to blame here but yourself. And no you don't need new skewers or what not.

[QUOTE=IANative;13541735id.

(seem to be listing slightly to starboard)

Can y'all help a noob out? ADVICE, PLEASE!!![/QUOTE]

My cyclops trainer flexes when I clamp in.

you have the same trainer but you mock him instead of trying to help him...

...or it didn't happen.

You were very smart to resist the invitation to post a video of yourself, though in so doing, you missed the oportunity to become an instant BF celebrity.

I'm not sure how your trainer tightens onto the skewer...it looks like both sides tighten? Are they loosening from vibration after riding a while? Is there a lockring or something else that locks the clamp in place after tightening?

If both sides tighten, then I would think you'd actually want to tighten both sides (don't just tighten one side and push it into the other side).

If you have the proper skewer ends, and the clamps are tight (and staying tight), bikes just don't fall out of trainers.

Yes, both sides of the trainer are threaded and screw inward.

Yes, I've tightened the SOB as tight as it will go, double checked it for any wiggle, but the bike seems to be working its way loose around the 15 minute mark.

No, I repeat, no, I will not post a video of the barely-controlled chaos that is me falling out of my trainer.

Yes, I think I will invest in a better trainer. Suggestions, please?

We will need to see a video in order to suggest the proper trainer for you.

Seriously though, price range is going to come into effect before we can make a suggestion.

My wife has already sent the video to AFV, trying to capitalize on my trauma.

I don't want to set a price limitation... let's just say I'd prefer the highest quality, safest trainer for the least amount of money. I phrase it that way because I'd like to add a set of rollers, too. After spending mucho dinero on bikes (I bought my wife one, too) the "entertainment" fund is a little light right now.

I have been using a CycleOps Fluid2 trainer for years. It isn't the cheapest but it has a great feel to it and it is built to last. I have owned cheap trainers and I would not waste my money on another one. No matter what trainer you go with, I would highly recommend going with a fluid trainer.

+1.