Fluid-Trainer problems
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Fluid-Trainer problems
I'm hoping someone can help. I have a Performance Bike Ascent trainer (not a great one, I know) that I've had for many years, but have only used a few times because I don't think it is working correctly. I'll try my best to describe the sensation of using it - so bare with me.
First off, my bike is a 2008 Specialized Sirrus Sport. I have used both slicks and normal road tires on the trainer - the result is still the same.
The roller doesn't seem to roll smoothly or have any "glide" to it. if I roll it manually, it rolls while I am turning it but stops when I stop - there is no coast quality to it. It is the same when the bike tire is engaged - while I pedal, the crank turns the roller, but it doesn't spin the freewheel if I stop pedaling. I've tried verious changes to the setup, placing the roller closer and further from the wheel (while still engaged), lower and higher gears on the bike itself, to no avail. I'd liken it to the sensation of pushing a treadmill belt using only the strength of your legs - it moves, but only while I am moving it. Additionally, while it IS moving, it feels like the roller (or the wheel) is slightly oblong - I get a clear pulse where I feel a PUSH-PUSH-PUSH-PUSH rather than a smooth orbit of the pedals.
Sorry if these descriptions aren't doing the job but I need help. I'd really like to use the trainer this winter, but as it is now, I don't think I will. Can anyone help me?
N
First off, my bike is a 2008 Specialized Sirrus Sport. I have used both slicks and normal road tires on the trainer - the result is still the same.
The roller doesn't seem to roll smoothly or have any "glide" to it. if I roll it manually, it rolls while I am turning it but stops when I stop - there is no coast quality to it. It is the same when the bike tire is engaged - while I pedal, the crank turns the roller, but it doesn't spin the freewheel if I stop pedaling. I've tried verious changes to the setup, placing the roller closer and further from the wheel (while still engaged), lower and higher gears on the bike itself, to no avail. I'd liken it to the sensation of pushing a treadmill belt using only the strength of your legs - it moves, but only while I am moving it. Additionally, while it IS moving, it feels like the roller (or the wheel) is slightly oblong - I get a clear pulse where I feel a PUSH-PUSH-PUSH-PUSH rather than a smooth orbit of the pedals.
Sorry if these descriptions aren't doing the job but I need help. I'd really like to use the trainer this winter, but as it is now, I don't think I will. Can anyone help me?
N
#2
Senior Member
That is, unfortunately, how trainers work. There is no coasting, you just have to keep pedaling all the time. Better trainers have heavier flywheels which work better in giving a more 'realistic' feel, but they will still always feel like trainers.
The 'PUSH-PUSH-PUSH-PUSH' you describe is probably due to the same, and happens when you are putting less force when your legs are at the 6 / 12 o'clock position (I believe, can't tell for sure what you are feeling.) Working on your pedaling technique should help with that.
Now you know why some people equate the trainer to torture. Btw, the issues you describe should lessen a bit after 10 minutes or so, once the fluid warms up.
The 'PUSH-PUSH-PUSH-PUSH' you describe is probably due to the same, and happens when you are putting less force when your legs are at the 6 / 12 o'clock position (I believe, can't tell for sure what you are feeling.) Working on your pedaling technique should help with that.
Now you know why some people equate the trainer to torture. Btw, the issues you describe should lessen a bit after 10 minutes or so, once the fluid warms up.
#4
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having had this model and am currently using a kurt kinetic, i can attest the differences are night and day, it all comes down to the flywheel, the ascent has a small flywheel, so it doesn't create a lot of inertia, while the kinetic road machine has a pretty substantial one and it definitely feels a lot more like being on the road, where if you stop pedaling, the wheel keeps turning. if you're planning on riding inside a lot i'd recommend it, it'll make a huge difference
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OTOH, the small flywheel makes your pedaling deficiencies more noticeable. You don't feel this on the road because of the momentum of you + bike. But on this trainer you easily feel when you're not putting torque on the bottom bracket because the thing slows down. So try this: put your bike in a really small gear and spin the cadence up until you are almost bouncing in the saddle. If you don't bounce, spin it up to ~115. You need a cadence equipped device for this of course. In any case, while spinning very fast, work on diminishing the throbbing and instead keep your pedaling smooth. This takes a fair bit of practice, but is totally worth doing. You need a very low gear so that you can keep doing this until you legs wear out without going over your aerobic threshold. Hints: keep your feet flat and relaxed, try to pedal with the shoe uppers rather than pushing down, and keep contact with the shoes' heel cups.
This is something you can do on the trainer which can't be done on the road. There are many exercises like this, specifically for the trainer, which will improve your strength and ability.
This is something you can do on the trainer which can't be done on the road. There are many exercises like this, specifically for the trainer, which will improve your strength and ability.
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having had this model and am currently using a kurt kinetic, i can attest the differences are night and day, it all comes down to the flywheel, the ascent has a small flywheel, so it doesn't create a lot of inertia, while the kinetic road machine has a pretty substantial one and it definitely feels a lot more like being on the road, where if you stop pedaling, the wheel keeps turning. if you're planning on riding inside a lot i'd recommend it, it'll make a huge difference
When I want my wheels to stop when my pedaling stops/work on smoothness, I'll ride the rollers.
#7
Senior Member
i have the stock, and it's nice. it's not actually my trainer, another forum member has lent it me for the past year since he uses rollers primarily, and i hated my ascent model. If I don't go with a smart trainer, I'd probably consider a used kinetic and picking up the pro flywheel
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I'm hoping someone can help. I have a Performance Bike Ascent trainer (not a great one, I know) that I've had for many years, but have only used a few times because I don't think it is working correctly. I'll try my best to describe the sensation of using it - so bare with me.
First off, my bike is a 2008 Specialized Sirrus Sport. I have used both slicks and normal road tires on the trainer - the result is still the same.
The roller doesn't seem to roll smoothly or have any "glide" to it. if I roll it manually, it rolls while I am turning it but stops when I stop - there is no coast quality to it. It is the same when the bike tire is engaged - while I pedal, the crank turns the roller, but it doesn't spin the freewheel if I stop pedaling. I've tried verious changes to the setup, placing the roller closer and further from the wheel (while still engaged), lower and higher gears on the bike itself, to no avail. I'd liken it to the sensation of pushing a treadmill belt using only the strength of your legs - it moves, but only while I am moving it. Additionally, while it IS moving, it feels like the roller (or the wheel) is slightly oblong - I get a clear pulse where I feel a PUSH-PUSH-PUSH-PUSH rather than a smooth orbit of the pedals.
Sorry if these descriptions aren't doing the job but I need help. I'd really like to use the trainer this winter, but as it is now, I don't think I will. Can anyone help me?
N
First off, my bike is a 2008 Specialized Sirrus Sport. I have used both slicks and normal road tires on the trainer - the result is still the same.
The roller doesn't seem to roll smoothly or have any "glide" to it. if I roll it manually, it rolls while I am turning it but stops when I stop - there is no coast quality to it. It is the same when the bike tire is engaged - while I pedal, the crank turns the roller, but it doesn't spin the freewheel if I stop pedaling. I've tried verious changes to the setup, placing the roller closer and further from the wheel (while still engaged), lower and higher gears on the bike itself, to no avail. I'd liken it to the sensation of pushing a treadmill belt using only the strength of your legs - it moves, but only while I am moving it. Additionally, while it IS moving, it feels like the roller (or the wheel) is slightly oblong - I get a clear pulse where I feel a PUSH-PUSH-PUSH-PUSH rather than a smooth orbit of the pedals.
Sorry if these descriptions aren't doing the job but I need help. I'd really like to use the trainer this winter, but as it is now, I don't think I will. Can anyone help me?
N
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