How important is it to use an old set of tires when you're on an indoor trainer?
Another indoor trainer question
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 10:53am
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 11:32am
#1
Since indoor training is more or less stationary, your bike does not rock left and right much and therefore the tire wears in the middle and becomes flat-topped there. The flat top is not good for outdoor riding.
Rather than constantly changing tires between indoor and outdoor riding, I had an LBS build an inexpensive rear wheel. I put a used tire on it and I am set.
The front wheel is inconsequential indoors.
Get a rear wheel!!
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 1:56pm
#2
I see, so basically you just switch out the bike's rear wheel for the el cheapo wheel. Thanks for the tip.
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 1:58pm
#3
And this tire lasts a long time....
It's only for indoor training but the compound that it is made of doesn't heat up and split over time like a regular road tire. I have several thousand trainer miles on mine already.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=COUHT&tnum=6262437&c=...
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 5:17pm
#4
Follow Robert's recommandation, you'll be glad you did. (nm)
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 2:33pm
#5
Unless you plan on putting a ton of miles on some super soft tires, you'll be fine using your regular tires. Should the rear look a little worn (it'll appear flat and shiny), swap it with the front to even out the wear.
That said, the 20F days are probably long gone, so enjoy the outside while it's here.
Tue, 03/20/2007 - 3:13pm
#6
Don't use your regular tires IMO
I would not use my regular tires on an indoor trainer. Use old tires or buy a tire specifically for indoor training. You will wear your regular tires down needlessly which could cause more pinch flats out on the road.
Wed, 03/21/2007 - 12:22pm
#7
Does a trainer wear a tire down faster than pavement?
Based upon the reduced rolling resistance, I always thought that rubber to tarmac would wear a tire down faster than rubber to aluminum (the flywheel and roller on my trainer are made of aluminum), which would equate to minimal tear wear when using a trainer. Has any research been done to prove or dispute this?
Wed, 03/21/2007 - 12:33pm
#8
Here is a thread that discusses it a bit.
http://www.endurancesport.co.nz/forum/topic.cfm?t=152&f=7
I think you are discounting heat friction and also what someone else mentioned which is the top part of the tire constantly against the fly wheel causing it to become flatten and become square and shiny.
Wed, 03/21/2007 - 1:46pm
#9
Thanks for the link. I'll have to check the rolling surface next time I use the trainer and measure the temperature. Since it's a 1up, it does get quite hot at the friction plate, but I'll have to measure it where the wheel contacts the roller. Being aluminum, there's a good chance that it will be consistently hot allover, but am don't know how much damage is done to a tire when it rotates against a surface at x temperature. Anyone know?
One item that I had not thought is the possible pinching of the tire if left for long periods with the roller pressed against the tire. Interestingly, the softer the tire the less pressure is needed to prevent slipping. I suspect that either loosening the tension wheel between uses or removing the bike from the stand may circumvent this issue.
On the point of becoming flat and shiny, this goes away once the tire is ridden on the road, so is it really wear?
Wed, 03/21/2007 - 12:06pm
#10
rear wheel
I happen to have a rear wheel for sale - includes wheel, tire and tube. It's not the lightest wheel in the world, but it's perfect for trainers. I also have an Ultegra 10-sp cassette (you'll need a cassette to use with your trainer wheel). Send me an email if interested.
