Can a trainer mess up a bike?
I have irrational fear that the indoor bike trainer I am using is messing up my bike's frame. The trainer I have is a Bell Motivator. I ensure it's on straight and use a block for the front wheel. Can anyone attest to this? Has anyone had or heard of a frame being messed up from an indoor trainer, or am I just being paranoid?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anne on
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No.
Although I have seen some unfortunate frame kills from overshifting under load and having the chain and/or rear derailleur whack the chainstay. But that's user error not the fault of the trainer.
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Permalink Reply by S on
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It probably won't mess up your bike, but it might mess up your tires. If you have expensive tires, get a trainer specific tire to use. They run about $30 and are thicker than normal tires so they last longer and it won't matter if the heat from the trainer melts them a little.
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Permalink Reply by mike w. on
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Especially if it's a steel frame, keep the sweat off it, particularly but not exclusively at the headset and stem area. i've seen some pretty damaged frames over the years... as well as rusted-in pedals.
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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on
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You are being beyond paranoid.
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Permalink Reply by mark stetson on
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Waterford has reservations about using their frames on trainers:
http://waterfordbikes.com/w/support/faq/?qandaid=19
Get a cheap bike to ride on the trainer.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on
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It can probably mess up your tires, but I highly doubt it can mess up your frame.
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Permalink Reply by JimmyD on
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How could a trainer potentially mess up tires?
By the way, Adam, that's a sincere question, not meant to be flippant or a challenge. I'm very interested in buying a trainer to use at home this winter and I'm pretty clueless about them.
PS... I would be using a bike with Schwalbe Kojak (slick/no tread) road tires on the trainer.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:It can probably mess up your tires, but I highly doubt it can mess up your frame.
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Permalink Reply by Roland on
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I get a smooth strip down the middle of my rear tire from the contact with the drum. I believe this uneven wear is pretty normal wrt trainers. I usually take off tires near the end of their life and reserve them for trainer sessions.-roland
JimmyD 3.75 mi said:How could a trainer potentially mess up tires?
By the way, Adam, that's a sincere question, not meant to be flippant or a challenge. I'm very interested in buying a trainer to use at home this winter and I'm pretty clueless about them.
PS... I would be using a bike with Schwalbe Kojak (slick/no tread) road tires on the trainer.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:It can probably mess up your tires, but I highly doubt it can mess up your frame.
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The trainer drum generates a bunch of friction on your tires and heats them up much more than they would see in regular use. That causes the smooth strip that Roland mentioned and you'll find that your tire has much less grip when you try using it outdoors.
If you're really concerned, get the kurt kinetic trainer with the rock n' roll frame. That'll let your bike sway side to side as you ride so it'll put less stress on your bike. However, it shouldn't be needed to protect your bike.
JimmyD 3.75 mi said:How could a trainer potentially mess up tires?
By the way, Adam, that's a sincere question, not meant to be flippant or a challenge. I'm very interested in buying a trainer to use at home this winter and I'm pretty clueless about them.
PS... I would be using a bike with Schwalbe Kojak (slick/no tread) road tires on the trainer.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:It can probably mess up your tires, but I highly doubt it can mess up your frame.
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Permalink Reply by David Barish on
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Same. The trainer will not harm your bike. However, the rear tire will need to be replaced before you bring the bike outside in the Spring. The area where the roller meets the tire smooths out. I have done about a half dozen one hour rides on the trainer and already see the smooth strip. I will replace the tire when I am ready to go outside with that bike. I was warned about this by friends before I started using a trainer. Also, most trainers come with a skewer. I took my skewer out of the wheel and replaced it with the trainer's skewer. When I replace the tire I will also put back my skewer.In short, if you like your tires and are not ready to replace them, get a cheap tire to use on the rear for the indoor season.
Roland said:
I get a smooth strip down the middle of my rear tire from the contact with the drum. I believe this uneven wear is pretty normal wrt trainers. I usually take off tires near the end of their life and reserve them for trainer sessions.-roland
JimmyD 3.75 mi said:How could a trainer potentially mess up tires?
By the way, Adam, that's a sincere question, not meant to be flippant or a challenge. I'm very interested in buying a trainer to use at home this winter and I'm pretty clueless about them.
PS... I would be using a bike with Schwalbe Kojak (slick/no tread) road tires on the trainer.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:It can probably mess up your tires, but I highly doubt it can mess up your frame.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Talbert on
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Thank you all for addressing my concerns. I am much less worried about the back tire going. My chief concern was damage to the frame, which seems like I do not need to worry about. I'll just let the back tire I have now wear out, then when I bring it back outside I'll replace it. It's much easier to swap a $30ish tire than a $1600ish frame.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on
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I would dedicate a extra bike, or at least a spare wheel & tire to be used only on the trainer. Some trainers increase resistance by adding extra pressure against the tire and that will wear a flat spot in a standard tire.
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