Aeolis

I just recently purchased a fluid bike trainer and I like it a lot but I'm afraid it's going to end up cracking my frame. The bike is clamped tightly on and I'm not sure if they design frames to hold up to that sort of non riding pressure. I'm only like 160 but are my concerns warranted? Should I use my back up bike on the trainer instead?

I didn't want to use my fcr because I'd have to change the pedals as i just run platforms on it. Anyone ever have a bike break due to trainers?

Elduderino2412

it'll be fine

hammy56

wut

fietsbob

Another place for a beater.. salty sweat is a corrosive..

Busta Quad

The trainer is made from Carbon fiber, yes??? That's the only type that is safe.

tagaproject6

Use the back up bike.

Carbon Unit

No harm will come to your bike from using it in a trainer.

Cookiemonsta

I would use the back up bike. It will be fine though. When I did have a trainer (never liked it, was loud too, like an airplane taking off) the biggest problem is how fast it would eat through a rear tire. Some models leave some scratches and marks where you attach them (ACK!).

You could always go for rollers. That is my preference anyway. Actually feels like cycling, improves you cycling ability as well as your fitness and is considerably less hassle and less boring.

canam73

A legitimate concern when using a bike on a trainer is sweat corrosion. Unlike on the road where much of it gets swept away or dries quickly when you are indoors it tends to pool and soak in. So set a fan up, drape with towels and wipe everything down when you are done.

waterrockets 

I use my race bikes on the trainer. You'll be fine. I keep a towel on the bars to wipe sweat off my head during the workout, and I quickly wipe down the cockpit and front of the frame when I'm done riding. Buy a decent 20" or bigger floor fan, one with a real motor, not a plastic rig. Here's mine.

The trainer will NOT hurt your bike at all. Sweat won't be any worse than a long climb, especially if you wipe down when you're done. Probably less sweat corrosion if you wipe your face/head off with a towel, which you can't do as effectively on a climb (with glove terry).

achoo

Problems with sweat corrosion are most likely to happen where any shift or brake cables enter your top tube. Cables can get corroded, and the frame itself on AL and steel bikes.

I'd recommend one of the sweat shields that stretch between you handlebars and seatpost.

Pendergast

Felt's FAQ recommends not doing out of saddle efforts with their bikes that have alloy dropouts bonded to carbon frames. The FAQ sounds like they're concerned about the possibility of the dropout getting pulled out, but it says they haven't had it happen. https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/Cust...rvice/FAQ.aspx

And there's a tweet from Specialized customer service that advises against using their carbon bikes on a trainer. https://twitter.com/themasterlink/st...62064068354048

I can't recall ever seeing anything else from a bike company that warns against it.

Busta Quad

This:

Aeolis

Ok thanks, I do have a heavy duty fan set up as well so that's not an issue.

Busta Quad

But your trainer is carbon fiber, right???

Aeolis

No I opted for Ti because it was 500 bucks cheaper :/

jamesdak 

Mountain bike with studded snow tires is so much easier and more satisfying than any trainer ride, LOL!!

eric01

google is your friend. this topic comes up every fall.

you will get differing opinions.

common sense applies here. if you're worried about your bike in a trainer, don't do out-of-saddle / max-wattage sprints.

StanSeven

I have a 20 year old steel bike I use every weekend near salt water. I never wipe it down and the only effect of the salt is a barrel adjuster got corroded once. So I think some sweat over the indoor time on a trainer is minimal, especially if you wipe it down.

canam73

https://www.pushingthepedals.com/2011...ape-regularly/

Sexy_Lugs

I sweat a lot canam and you have got me worried about my bars now

Cookiemonsta

Clean it and take some precaution to cover it. I do not really think it would be a problem. If you are really worried about it, bike covers do exist. Like this:

Of course, there are cheaper do-it-yourself options with a towel and elastic bands.

iconicflux

If you look at the picture above you can clearly see that the bike is fine where the protective stuff is but the handlebars and part of the wheel have completely corroded. Obviously this means that you should completely wrap yourself in a massive towel while riding a trainer so your bike doesn't get damaged.

AndyK 

When I do use a trainer (rarely), I take a hand towel and drape it from my bars and over the top tube. Any sweat that drips goes on the towel, not the headset/stem/cables.

Last winter was such a mild one, I was out there almost trainer-free!

Aeolis

Crossing fingers for another mild one. Except the snowmobile is fun too...