Indoor trainer - tension setting

word said:

Hi

I am new to the sport and have just bought all my gear including an indoor trainer (it is winter in South Africa).

I am not sure how much tension my trainer should apply to the rear wheel. The instruction guide with the trainer (Elite Mag Alu) says that as soon as the flywheel just touches the tyre, then give a full 3 additional turns. The salesman says that it is wrong and you should set the flywheel to the point that it just touches the tyre.

Which is correct?

Thanks

Word

I'd follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you leave it just touching the tyre you'll get wheel spin. Also make sure your rear tyre pressure is correct or the rubber will start to melt.

meandmybike said:

I'd follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you leave it just touching the tyre you'll get wheel spin. Also make sure your rear tyre pressure is correct or the rubber will start to melt.

What is the correct tyre pressure? I have been told that on road at should be 8 to 8.5 bar and on the trainer 7 to 7.5 bar is ok. Which is correct?🙄

word said:

What is the correct tyre pressure? I have been told that on road at should be 8 to 8.5 bar and on the trainer 7 to 7.5 bar is ok. Which is correct?🙄

I run the same pressure on the road as on the trainer (90psi on a slick mountain bike tyre).

word said:

What is the correct tyre pressure? I have been told that on road at should be 8 to 8.5 bar and on the trainer 7 to 7.5 bar is ok. Which is correct?🙄

The tire should have the recommended pressure range printed on the sidewall. That range is appropriate for trainer use as well.

As far as the trainer wheel touching the tire, that's not really the "tension setting" as you called it. You want that tight enough so that the tire doesn't slip when you're pedalling hard. That'll probably be at least a couple turns past where the trainer touches the tire. You should see some bulging in the tire just like if the tire were on the ground and you were sitting on the bike.

frenchyge said:

The tire should have the recommended pressure range printed on the sidewall. That range is appropriate for trainer use as well.

As far as the trainer wheel touching the tire, that's not really the "tension setting" as you called it. You want that tight enough so that the tire doesn't slip when you're pedalling hard. That'll probably be at least a couple turns past where the trainer touches the tire. You should see some bulging in the tire just like if the tire were on the ground and you were sitting on the bike.

Yup, what he said. Needs to be just tight enough to prevent slipping. No more is necessary. Normal tire pressure as well.

I have just bought a Giant Cycltron, instructions say two whole turns after roller touches wheel, seems to work OK on low tension setting but wheel slips on higher tensions.

You may want to use a different tire when you are riding the trainer too. If you find that the tire slips no matter how tight or squeeks away, the tire you are using is probably a softer compound that does not work well with trainers.

word said:

Hi

I am new to the sport and have just bought all my gear including an indoor trainer (it is winter in South Africa).

I am not sure how much tension my trainer should apply to the rear wheel. The instruction guide with the trainer (Elite Mag Alu) says that as soon as the flywheel just touches the tyre, then give a full 3 additional turns. The salesman says that it is wrong and you should set the flywheel to the point that it just touches the tyre.

Which is correct?

Thanks

Word