Trainer wear 'n tear on the bike

[Syndirelah]

Hey ladies!

I did a quick search and couldnt find a previous thread--sorry if this is a repeat question:

I'm almost ready to get a trainer (either KK or CycleOps fluid), and will also get a trainer tire-- but I'm just curious how much using the bike on the trainer wears out the components (gears, chain, etc)??? I expect to use it twice a week, at least, and for rainy days. Is this something I should be concerned about or that should deter me from buying one? My bike is new, bought it in May 08, and has about 1000 miles on it.

...it would be really nice to get a good work out without leaving my house.... and in front of the TV, no less

Thanks,

Jen

[Tri Girl]

I'm no expert here, but I have a cheap garage sale bike on my trainer. I used to have my tri bike on there, but my LBS guy said that the wear and tear on the bike is tougher than it is on the road. He said that the frame takes a bit more of a beating than outside riding because the trainer is so rigid and doesn't allow for movement. I don't know if he's right or not, but I have a $50 bike on there just in case he's right.
I'm sure it's just fine to have your bike on the trainer for a couple times a week. I don't think it'll hurt it at all. I ride my bike on the trainer 4-5 times a week during the winter, so I'm sure I'm much harder on my bike than you'll be.

Just my little $.02 (for what it's worth)

[salsabike]

That's what I did too. That is, it isn't a real beater. It's the least expensive okay road bike I could find. It lives on the trainer, in my office, and I don't have to haul my Bianchi in and out of the house--and it's available to ride outside all year round, which I do.

[RoadRaven]

The main wear will be on your tyre that is pressing against the resistance. So put an old tyre on there... when we had a trainer we put tyres that had cuts in which were no good on the road anymore - max use for your money.

We have a spin bike now as we didn't like putting road bikes (even old ones) on the trainer.

The LBS guy is spot-on, bikes are made to move and sway as we pedal and to respond to our weight shifts. When a bike is fixed solid on the trainer it stays upright and immovable when you (for example) apply weight on a down-stroke of the pedal. On the road the bike would move a little in empathy to your movement.

Never, ever put a bike you love on your trainer if you have the choice.

Salsa has also hit the nail on the head with the convenience aspect - which is one reason why we chose the spin bike. Taking our bikes (there were at that time 4 of us using the trainer) on and off the trainer was such a pain, and during wet weeks we didn't get the bikes in as often cause not only might they be muddy from road rides, but they would also get wet bringing them in from the shed to the house.

[alpinerabbit]

psssstttt.... it's a myth.... I've posted it before, I'll post it again... for your reading pleasure and to comfort your soul - it's in German but you can get it:

http://www.tour-magazin.de/?p=173

in almost every instance, the stress on the downtube (TU), chainstay (BK), and seatstay (BS) is higher on the road than on the trainer.
The three instances tested are at low intensity, high intensity, and standing up.

My LBS said in the winter, just leave the trainer skewer in, and it will take the occasional road ride when the weather is fine.

(Well this season I have a MTB to take outside if I feel like it).

[deedolce]

THANKS, Alpinerabbit! Good to know, I'm going to try a trainer for the first time this winter. I certainly didn't budget for another bike! I DO have old tires.