Trainer question

[RoadBunner]

Is it a bad idea to use the original rear skewer on a trainer? My trainer came with a skewer but the one already on the bike fits just fine so I didn't change it out. The original skewer is a little scratched up now but so far as I can tell it's all cosmetic damage. Should I be switching the skewers each time I use the trainer?

Thanks!

[SlowButSteady]

there is probably something I'm doing wrong. My skewer than came with the bike is quick-release. Maybe I was putting the bike on the trainer wrong, but there is some damage to the quick release on the skewer. It won't release now without a wrench and some major elbow grease.

Oh, well, I use my secondary bike on the trainer anyway, not my good one.

[Grog]

there is probably something I'm doing wrong. My skewer than came with the bike is quick-release. Maybe I was putting the bike on the trainer wrong, but there is some damage to the quick release on the skewer. It won't release now without a wrench and some major elbow grease.

Sorry to ask the obvious, but: Isn't it just too tight? The nut could have become tighter while you were adjusting your trainer... Have you considered taking it entirely off and then putting it back on afresh?

I have had no problems with mine, except for minor cosmetic scratches on the quick release lever.

[spokewench]

I may be totally off base here; but it is my recollection that my hubby told me the skewer they send is heavier duty, i.e. steel and that the skewers on some nice bikes are not steel, thus, they bend easier so you should use the trainer skewer.

But, I'm getting old so I don't always remember things correctly! LOL

[ehirsch83]

The other thing is that you have to make sure that your skewer fits! Many skewers are not the plain rectangle shape that fits into the trainer. Hence, why they send you a skewer.(for fun, somewhere I posted a month or so ago about trying to ride the trainer with my normal skewer and falling over because it slid out). I learned my lesson the hard way! Make sure your skewer fits in correctly, it doesn't really matter if you change it out or not. I leave the trainer skewer on my road bike all the time. If your skewer fits the trainer, you are one step ahead of most!

[OakLeaf]

All I know, when I went for my fitting last week, when the guy put my bike on the trainer in the shop, he used the skewer from the trainer, not mine.

[jesvetmed]

ehirsh: So that was my question... once I changed the skewer to work on the trainer (my original did not work) can I just leave it on to ride on the road. I have been and it seems fine, but is it ok long term?

[VeloVT]

I think a big part of why they send you a skewer is that over time, the trainer can scratch up the pretty anodized finish on your regular skewer. Additionally, I think the included skewer is likely to fit the female skewer attachment(s) included with the trainer better than your regular skewer too (I know this was the case for me).

As far as using the skewer for normal riding... I wouldn't do it, but I have two reasons, and they are related to weight and aesthetics, not safety.

I think from a safety perspective, you would be just fine using your trainer skewer. The skewer that came with MY trainer, though, is considerably bigger (both heavier-duty and longer) than my Mavic skewer. I am quite sure it is much heavier; it's at least 25% longer. It's also silver when my regular skewer is black, and it doesn't match the front skewer (or the bike, which is also black)! These seem like trivial reasons, I know, but I wouldn't do it.

[SouthernBelle]

One time when I took my bike in for maintenance, I had the trainer skewer in and the mechanic fussed a bit and told me not to road ride with it. I didn't ask why. But I have noticed it seems to be a little bigger in diameter.

[jesvetmed]

Thanks guys. Good to hear, b/c I've been doing it! I'll make the change back and forth.

[RoadBunner]

Thanks, everyone! I switched out the skewers yesterday and it wasn't a terrible hassle so I'll probably continue doing it.