fluid trainer and tire wear

[maryellen]

My CycleOps fluid2 trainer was delivered yesterday I'm hoping it will help keep me in cycling mode during the cold months *and* allow me to practice when I'm ready to go clipless.

I've heard about tire wear from using trainers. I was assuming this wasn't a huge issue for me -- I'll be using my hybrid with its standard Bontrager Select tires (I plan to get a road bike in the late winter/early spring). I'm not concerned about the financial aspect of replacing tires but rather about tire wear as:

1) a safety issue (will I be more likely to get a blowout or will the tires just need to be replaced sooner?)

2) inconvenience (I've only gotten one flat (knock on wood) and it took a *long* time to change). I'm lazy and don't like having to take wheels off.

Also,

3) what is it about using a trainer that's hard on tires? I would have thought it would be less wearing than doing road miles

4) and only peripherally related, when do tires need to be changed--I don't have much of a tread on the tire to judge by, so do I go by mileage?

thx!!

[SadieKate]

Well, this is my 2 cents.

You're still putting miles on the tire. The surface of the roller may not be as abrasive, but you can sure put a lot of pressure on the tire depending on how your trainer works. Be sure they aren't under-inflated. If you see them squishing a lot with the pressure that is going to cause more wear. Since I don't care if the tire grips the road on a trainer, I always keep the last old tire I have, mount it for the winter and stick my bike on the trainer until the sun shines again. If I leave the bike on the trainer, I'm a whole lot more likely to get on it after I drag myself home from work.

Regarding changing them, tires can get brittle with age. You'll typically see this on the sidewalls. A little easier to see with gum walls like Conti makes. If you have any kind of tread pattern, you can see that wearing just like car tires. Also, a hernia is NOT a good thing -- definite clue to change tires. Also, you may go through more back tires. I'm happy if I can get a 2 to 1 ratio rear to front. A trainer won't wear the front tire so this will be even more exaggerated.