Trainer tension question...

[jamom]

Sorry if this is in the wrong area, but I am having a devil of a time getting the tension right on my trainer, (a cyle-ops mag, several years old). It's either too easy or waaaay too hard. There seems to be no middle ground. How much tension should there be on the tire? How do you know when it's right? Thanks in advance for any tips/advice!


edited: I did put on an el cheapo tire on the back just to use on the trainer...

[Eden]

I have the same trainer. I usually tighten it down until it just indents the tire, then I give it one or two more turns. You want it to be just tight enough that the tire doesn't slip.
When you've got the tension right, use the gears on the bike to change how hard/easy it is to pedal. It should be fairly easy to turn the pedals (it does take a little oommph to get the flywheel up to speed, but then it should be OK) in your low gears.

[Thorn]

You need "just enough", of course :-)

Seriously, I never understood why this question was asked until I replaced my old Performance unit with a Kinetic. *Now* I understand the question, but not so much the answer.

My old Performance just had a tension spring that snapped up to the tire. The tension was always the same. The Kinetic has a knob that I have to turn to get the tension. Sounds like yours.

I've read..."until it just touches the tire and then turn it 4 more full turns". When I did that it still slipped. What I've been doing is the "forward and back" test. Grab the rear wheel near the top (your hand is at 12:00) and take it down to 3:00 and then back to 12:00. Do it relatively quickly with no pause at 3:00. If the wheel slips, tighten the tension.

That said, I've noticed that I have to readjust the tension every time (but the Kinetic is still new). I pump up the tires and then tweak the tension.

But, I have found that the trainer is always harder to move than being in the same gear outside. Indoor miles are relative.