Flat area on tire after trainer affect handling?

[li10up]

I briefly searched for this but couldn't find it. I'm sorry if it's a repeat. I'm still figuring out the tension on my trainer. I obviously must not have had the tension set correctly since I now have a flat area along the center of my tire from last night's session. I'm just wondering if when I get back on the road (hope it warms up soon-we've had some ice) if the flat area will cause any problems with bike handling?

Again, I apologize if this has already been covered somewhere.

[Wahine]

The flat area should come out once the tire warms up and becomes more pliable whether that's on your trainer or on the road. But what all of us forgot to tell you was that after you're done your workout you should release the tension on the trainer completely to avoid deforming the tire. This is usually a tire problem and not a wheel problem so it should go away when you ride. :) :)

[annie]

Is the flat area in just one spot on the tire? Indoor trainers are hard on tires....... If you ride the trainer frequently, the tire will wear down in the middle and it will be flat around the entire tire. I usually put an old tire on my trainer bike so I don't have to replace a good one at the end of winter.
If you only ride the trainer occasionally, it shouldn't be a problem.

[han-grrl]

I don't recommend going back to the same tire outside once you have been riding on it lots on the trainer. it will wear out, and from experience (i was just learning) a tire can fall apart outside once it has been used lots on the trainer.

[spokewench]

Riding tires on trainers will wear out the tire prematurely. I usually just leave old tires on my bike when I'm riding the trainer and plan on changing the tire when I ride outside. Changing tires is good practice.

[li10up]

annie, yes the flat part is in the center all the way around the tire.

I don't plan on riding the trainer a whole lot since the weather here is usually pretty good year round. So changing the tire back and forth would be a pain. Will it be safe to ride as is...Its not worn down the thread.

[Triskeliongirl]

[QUOTE=li10up;162761]
I don't plan on riding the trainer a whole lot since the weather here is usually pretty good year round. So changing the tire back and forth would be a pain. ...QUOTE]

I use a spare rear wheel for riding the trainer. Its not unsafe to use the same tire, but it increaes the probablity you will flat. Swapping a wheel is easier than changing the tire back and forth.

[traveller_62]

You definitely increase your chance of a flat if you use the same tire for your trainer and for outdoor riding.

If it is an option for you I think the idea of getting a spare wheel to use on the trainer would be the best way to go since it is a pain to have to change tires each time.

I actually got a tire that was specifically designed for indoor trainer rides this year just to try it out. The tread of the tire has ridges on it that allow for better contact with the spindle on the trainer.

-traveller

[Geonz]

However, it *is* a question of degree. I use my bike on the trainer twice a week, or less, and I'll give that tire a good inspection at the end of February when these rides are over, but not write it off.
It's studded tires I might want to get next, anyway :) :) (Then who needs a trainer!)

[Aint Doody]

Does the same thing apply to riding on rollers? I've put 130 miles on my bicycle since 1/1 riding on my rollers. The tires are gray with oxidation that I was told is no problem, but it's dirty. What about that????

[DebW]

Does the same thing apply to riding on rollers? I've put 130 miles on my bicycle since 1/1 riding on my rollers. The tires are gray with oxidation that I was told is no problem, but it's dirty. What about that????

I would think that riding rollers is much closer to riding on the road as far as tire wear is concerned. On rollers, your tire is shifting slightly all the time, so it wouldn't take wear in just one place like on a trainer.

[Aint Doody]

Whew! Thanks, Deb.

[equus123]

its highly recommended to not go out on the road after a tire has been on a trainer. buy an extra rear wheel with a cheap cassette (and of course you'll need a tube and tire) to use on the trainer. you can switch on the fly or ride both indoors and out. I got a wheelset from performancebike.com for only $135 that I use as my "trainer" or "beater" wheels.

[li10up]

Well, the weather was nice enough Sunday to ride. I could tell a bit of a difference at first with the handling but after a few miles it all seemed fine. After the ride I checked the tire and it had "rounded" itself back out. Guess I'll just keep an eye on the tire and take it easy when going from trainer back to road. I'll probably just replace the tire when I don't plan on riding the trainer any more.

[beetle]

If you ride the trainer frequently

What is frequently?How many miles? I am planning on doing 500km (300mi) before I get out on the road again. Should I look at replacing the tyre then? Obviously tyres come in varying degrees of durability and everyone rides on different surfaces but is there a rough guide as to what sort of milage should be expected from a tyre? Do manufacturers provide this sort of info?

[velogirl]

I put about 10 hours a week on my trainer in the winter months and I don't find that my tire wears excessively. If you tighten the flywheel down enough, it shouldn't degrade. When folks don't tighten the flywheel down enough, the tire slips, causingthe rubber to degrade.

Tip of the day: if you go from road to trainer, clean your tire with a damp rag before riding the trainer. One little piece of glass that is on the surface will work it's way into the tire and puncture the tube with the added resistance of the flywheel.