Just a few questions about training indoors (I'll be using a road bike on a fluid trainer):
- Can you leave the bike on the trainer for a prolonged period of time (I figure if I've got it hooked up to the skewer correctly, and the bike is out of the way, why bother with the set-up and take down all the time)
- Can you use a trainer on carpet, or is it better on a floor (solid surface)
- I usually use white lightning lube (and reapply every 100-150 km), would this keep the chain lubed well indoors, or is a thicker lube better
Just a few questions about training indoors (I'll be using a road bike on a fluid trainer):
- Can you leave the bike on the trainer for a prolonged period of time (I figure if I've got it hooked up to the skewer correctly, and the bike is out of the way, why bother with the set-up and take down all the time)
- Can you use a trainer on carpet, or is it better on a floor (solid surface)
- I usually use white lightning lube (and reapply every 100-150 km), would this keep the chain lubed well indoors, or is a thicker lube better
Thanks.
1. Yes. Make sure you relieve the tension on the roller. 2. Yes. Depending on how you are training, you might want to mount the trainer on a piece of plywood, though. 3. Watch out for drippage/spray. A well-lubed chain will leave a lasting mark on the carpet/floor... 🙁
1. Yes. Make sure you relieve the tension on the roller. 2. Yes. Depending on how you are training, you might want to mount the trainer on a piece of plywood, though. 3. Watch out for drippage/spray. A well-lubed chain will leave a lasting mark on the carpet/floor... 🙁
Jim
and sweat will make your carpet smell... you may want a sweat matt between the carpet and trainer.
i use my trainer all the time on carpet. and i store my bike on my trainer, but i use a crappy skewer. and i use lightweight oil in small amounts. i hang a towel over my stem and use it when i need to. but as for the oil, i keep an old towel under the bike just in case.
I tried my trainer out for the first time this morning, i was all psyced. got my riding gear on, put on the live broadcast through cycling.tv and started pedaling. One thing I noticed was my rear end was too high, felt like i was falling off my bike. Do people use a stand to elevate the front end or just deal with the slope?
It's common to raise the front wheel to level the bike, either by using a molded plastic device specifically designed for that purpose, or with a phone book.
It's common to raise the front wheel to level the bike, either by using a molded plastic device specifically designed for that purpose, or with a phone book.
Lumber scraps work great too!
Second the recommendation on the sweat mat. You can get one from Performance for $30 or so on sale. Saves the floor from sweat and chain lube.
Another recommendation is to get one of those sweat towels that suspend over the top tube between the seat and handlebars, particularly if you have anything rustable under there. I ride an old Columbus SLX frame on my trainer, so that is an essential!
I use my book of university regulations as a front wheel prop and cover the floor underneath the trainer and bike (and sometimes partly up the wall behind the trainer for any rear spray that might happen) with newspaper. When the newspaper is messy enough it gets chucked out and replaced.
Another question - any maintenance of the roller or other parts of a fluid trainer required (i.e. cleaning the roller if it collects something from the tire)?
I tried my trainer out for the first time this morning, i was all psyced. got my riding gear on, put on the live broadcast through cycling.tv and started pedaling. One thing I noticed was my rear end was too high, felt like i was falling off my bike. Do people use a stand to elevate the front end or just deal with the slope?
=========================================================== Get something cheap - I use a paver(low brick) which cost me $3 down the road. It's the correct height and works fine🙂 The plastic ones that people buy are overrated and overpriced
One aditional piece of advice would be to get a cheap tire to put on your rear wheel. Trainers are harsh on tires and you don't want to be burning through 50 dollar Pro Races. I scored a deal on some Specialized Armadillos and use them as such.
One aditional piece of advice would be to get a cheap tire to put on your rear wheel. Trainers are harsh on tires and you don't want to be burning through 50 dollar Pro Races. I scored a deal on some Specialized Armadillos and use them as such.
========================================================== Good point. There is a specific tyre that's made just for trainers. It has a harder/raised centre section. You could look out for that.
One aditional piece of advice would be to get a cheap tire to put on your rear wheel. Trainers are harsh on tires and you don't want to be burning through 50 dollar Pro Races. I scored a deal on some Specialized Armadillos and use them as such.
either that or just use the bike gears to create resistance, & turn down the pressure on the tyre
Careful where you ride in the house and the tension on your back wheel while on the trainer. You will notice that as the back tire goes south you will get the tire 'waste' appearing as black micro-pellets and 'dust'.
