you people with trainers at home...

[Irulan]

I have my new ( to me, thank you CL ) like new Kurt Kinetic set up in the spare room. How do I keep the room from smelling all musty and gym like now? I sweat like a pig riding, wipe down the bike and saddle but it's ...not great...

I'd like some tips on keeping my bike from getting trashed.

I have a question about the fluid trainer. The instructions are pretty basic for how to set the tension. I've got a brand new super slick on my bike, and it's really leaving a track on the roller. Is this normal? I don't really understand how the tension increases with cadence, it must be pretty subtle? Or, what am I doing wrong?

thanks.

I'm going to be working with base building program from LWCoaching, I'm pretty excited about it. She's writing a program just for me, the non-competitive but strong rider.

[HillSlugger]

You can buy a sweat catcher. It's a towel-like thing that stretches from the bars to the seatpost that catches your drips and keeps them off the bike. Maybe that would do the trick. Also, it really helps to set up a fan that will blow on you while you ride.

As far as tension goes, I tighten up the roller until a thumb on the roller won't keep the roller from turning when I turn the wheel. After that I adjust things using the gears of the bike. I don't think you get much added resistance from the fly wheel.

I think it's normal for tire rubber to end up on the roller. Either it'll wear itself off or you can probably clean it off with a mild solvent. I don't worry about it.

[Tokie]

DH saves old tires to put on the bikes when we use the trainer - (why fry a good tire?)A fan is a must! This summer when I had my broken thumb, I took my bike and trainer everywhere DH and DGF went to to real rides. I would ride next to the car on the trainer while they raced or did other rides. I have an old Terry bike (one with the tiny front wheel) I got it on sale, but the tiny wheel made it so sketchy to ride I only rode it 3 times. this is my trainer bike, it's all dialed in to my fit, so it works great. If you could get ahold of an inexpensive old bike that is a good fit, those are great to use on your trainer, as the frame takes alot of stress as well as the sweat factor. But the kinetic part of your trainer might mean that the frame is less stressed. sounds really like more fun than a normal trainer. Let us know how you like it! tokie

[VeloVT]

Interesting . Your tire ends up on the trainer... my trainer cylinder is nice & bright, but my TIRE is silvery and shiny! Go figure...

[vinbek]

A fan is definitely a good idea while riding stationary. I use an old hand towel to put over my top tube to catch the sweat and I hang another over my bars and use it to wipe my face and neck as I ride. I put a phone book under my front wheel to level the bike.

[roadie gal]

Definitely use a fan and open a window even if it's cold. Also, put a mat that you can wipe down under the bike.

[Tri Girl]

My tire gets all shiny silver, too.

My LBS guy was saying that sweat is the single most damaging element to come in contact with your bike (corrosive as all heck). This winter I'll have to have my tri bike on the trainer. It's not the bike I want to have on there, but I'm having wrist surgery and will have to be in aero position for a few months (my beater bike won't let me lay down ).
I'm going to cover most of the bike with a HUGE beach towel that I'll wash after every ride.

[Grog]

Fan on high.

Window open. (We live in Vancouver so it's seldom less than 3 C outside.)

Music on high.

Oh, yeah, with old tires if possible. But I use the trainer very little so I'm not too concerned. My husband has a dedicated trainer bike. (He rides it A LOT although maybe less now that he commutes to work over 60 km a day.)

Sometimes he sets up the trainer outside in a dry spot.

[Eden]

If you have a spare wheel or plan to leave the bike on the trainer all winter it pays to invest in a trainer tire (like this one http://www.glorycycles.com/coulsphotrti.html)

Not only will it last longer (my husband and I shared one all last winter and it doesn't even look used), it doesn't slip at higher resistance.

[ny biker]

+1 on using a fan - for me it's a must.

I also turn the thermostat way down to make sure the heat won't come on while I'm on the bike. With that plus the fan, I usually don't need to open the windows.

I put my hair in a ponytail and use a cotton knit headband as a sweatband (regular terry sweatbands are too tight on my head). It looks pretty silly but I live alone so no one sees but me. I keep a microfiber towel on the handlebar to wipe sweat off me every once in a while.

I also wear a lightweight top, usually a Nike dry-fit tank top with a built-in bra.

That generally seems to work for me.

[Pedal Wench]

Same as above -- sports bra and shorts, since no one will see but me. Fan right in front of me, water and remote control in bottle cages.

Good luck with the LWCoaching plan! I'm using Coach Lynda's plan again this year -- start in a few weeks. Can't wait for those 6 hour days on the trainer this winter...

[Irulan]

omg,

6

hours a day on the trainer? I'm shooting for an hour, maybe 2, 3-4 x a week. Then again, I'm going for the non-conpetitive/stay in shape program. LW has some pretty serious programs out there.

I went for the box fan, sweat band and open window today: much better. Even tho I kind of have a cold I went light but at least I went. For me, some of it is trying to make a new habit, routine where there hasn't been one before.