Indoor trainer....tires

[Catrin]

I used my trainer for the first time tonight. I do have premium tires on that bike and I really don't want to put trainer tires on them just yet as it isn't late enough yet to come inside for the winter. 30 minutes on my Kurt Kinetic, however, really did "shine" my rear tire and I picked up a lot of black when I touched the tire.

Is there a rule of thumb about how long it is safe to use a regular tire on my trainer? Is there one?

[Owlie]

I picked up a cheap road tire from Performance. That way I don't have to swap out the tires if I want to go for a ride later.

Easiest thing would be to have a spare wheel, but that's a little unrealistic...

[Catrin]

I picked up a cheap road tire from Performance. That way I don't have to swap out the tires if I want to go for a ride later.

Easiest thing would be to have a spare wheel, but that's a little unrealistic...

My bike has 26 inch wheels... I will be putting a cheap tire on it when it is time, I am just trying to decide how long I can leave my premium tires on before they get damaged from the trainer...

[indysteel]

I don't know that there's any definitive answer. It depends on the tire, how tight you get the tension on the roller (you want it tight enough that it doesn't slip at all), and how much wear the tire already has. Plus, I don't know that a trainer necessarily eats everyone's tires. Yes, they get some wear to them, but that happens on the road, too.

Still, if it were me I'd find a cheaper tire and use it indoors and out for the rest of the fall and winter. I'm not why it's important to wait if you're otherwise worried about ruining your good tire.

[Catrin]

Good advice Indy, I always want to decide on some metric and sometimes that just doesn't exist. I REALLY like my current tires and don't want to ride anything else on the road...but of course that is the easiest approach. I COULD get in a lot of tire changing practice and switch tires every time I go outside...NOT :rolleyes: :D

I did like how the trainer felt tonight though, which is a good thing. The Kurt Kinetic Road Machine wasn't all that loud and I only had to turn up my television just a little. Only did 30 minutes to test some sore neck muscles but all felt good!

[indysteel]

Like with a lot of things, you might need to compromise or just take your chances. Regardless of what you do, your good tires aren't going to last forever anyway.

[Catrin]

Like with a lot of things, you might need to compromise or just take your chances. Regardless of what you do, your good tires aren't going to last forever anyway.

True, but I've only 1,100 miles on them and they are barely broken in :)

[indysteel]

I mean this in the nicest way, but sometimes you're hard to reason with. :p If I suggest that you change the tire out now, you say "yeah but I like riding outside with my good tires." If I suggest that you take your chances, you say "yeay but I'm afraid I'll ruin my good tire." IMO, you likely can't have it both ways. If it were me, I'd accept the lesser of these two evils and change out the tire now. That's arguably the most budget-minded option you have before you, assuming a dedicated trainer tire is cheaper than one of your premium tires. If you do change out the tire now and get a spectactular day of weather that allows you to do a long ride, you could always just take a few minutes and change the tire back out to your good tire.

[Catrin]

Sorry, I really wasn't trying to be difficult. Thanks for your advice!

[indysteel]

Sorry, I really wasn't trying to be difficult. Thanks for your advice!

Oh, I know. Either am I. I just wanted you to see that some compromise was probably in order.

[Kathi]

When I replace old tires I save them for use on the trainer. I also have an old bike that I use for the trainer, both have 650c wheels. The tire that is on my "trainer bike" is pretty worn but is still holding up. Guess it's due for better tire.

[laura*]

Might I suggest getting a third matching tire?

It is not uncommon to get uneven mileage from tires - necessitating say two rears for one front. Unfortunately, by the time you wear out the first one, that model of tire with probably be discontinued. Thus it is useful to have a third matching tire waiting on the shelf.

You should also expect to eventually lose a tire to a road hazard. Having a matching third tire lets you get back on the road without having either mismatched tires, or having to buy two new tires.

Right now during the transition season, you could use your outdoor tire on the trainer. Next spring, after the spring transition season, you could install the third tire and keep the trainer worn one as a spare.

[Miranda]

I own this, fwiw...

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/continental-ultra-sport-hometrainer-tire-26-inch

[Catrin]

I own this, fwiw...

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/continental-ultra-sport-hometrainer-tire-26-inch

Thanks for the link! I've decided just to leave my current tires on for now until it is obvious that outdoor riding is over. It is indeed a compromise, as Indy pointed out. and I have to balance out the risk of shortening the life of a premium tire with the pain that is involved with changing a tire. I've arthritic hands, live alone, and it isn't fun at all to change a tire.

When the time comes I will put on a trainer tire and just leave it there until the spring. I've been told that actual trainer tires last much longer than using a regular tire, and are much quieter on the trainer.

Thanks for all of the advice!

[Norse]

Easiest thing would be to have a spare wheel, but that's a little unrealistic...

Late to the game here, but I DO have a spare wheel with a trainer tire on it and it was cheap. I asked around at my LBS if anyone had a used wheel with a compatible rear cassette for my bike's derailleur and one of the shop guys had just such a wheel that he was looking to sell. I think I paid about $70. It is sooooooo much easier just swapping out the wheel vs. a tire. :)

[spazzdog]

I've considered getting an extra rear wheel/tire to leave on the trainer but then I end up wondering why... how much wear does the trainer wheel really put on the tire?

It's smooth with no humps, bumps, potholes or street spooge. Logically I think the road tears up a tire a whole lot more, so why change out?

Other than personal preference, is there really a physical wear reason to go through the change?

Lay some science on me girls :)

spazz

[meganm]

Late to the game here, but I DO have a spare wheel with a trainer tire on it and it was cheap. I asked around at my LBS if anyone had a used wheel with a compatible rear cassette for my bike's derailleur and one of the shop guys had just such a wheel that he was looking to sell. I think I paid about $70. It is sooooooo much easier just swapping out the wheel vs. a tire. :)

I went this route too. I got lazy changing the tires.

I think using a trainer tire is a good idea. Besides the wear issue, I think the thicker tire grips the trainer better and therefore doesn't slip as much.