Your Turbo Trainer Could Be Trashing Your Bike! | Maintenance Monday
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 28. 06. 2024
- Many of us park up our bikes onto the turbo trainer in the winter, never to see the outdoors until the spring. But this doesn't mean you can leave bike maintenance alone, it still needs love and attention! Manon and Alex show you some top tips to keep your bike in great condition, and how not to destroy your bike on the turbo trainer!
0:00 - Intro
0:32 - Remove your trainer before you move your bike!
1:19 - Cleaning and lubricating your chain
2:14 - Protect your bike from sweat
3:24 - Correctly tightening your trainer
5:10 - Choosing the right tyres
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I donât use my good bike on the trainer, instead I bought the cheapest frame I could find on wiggle and used some spare parts etc to build up a specific training bikeâŠdoesnât need brakes or a rear wheelâŠcost about ÂŁ300 to build and has served me well for the last 2 years with no issues
This is also a totally awesome solution to not getting sweat all over your nice bike. Plus, it frees up your other bike so that you can ride that outside if there's a good day, too! Win win :D
Same solution here. And up the irons.
I cracked my rear dropout on an expensive carbon back as the trainer locks the rear into a static position. Fortunately it was under warranty and I got a free replacement frame. Now I use a dedicated trainer bike.
@@MrKadillak absolutely, not worth the risk in my mindâŠwhy risk damaging an expensive bike when you can build up a training bike fairly cheaplyâŠ.and you donât have to keep taking a bike on and off the trainer when you want to ride outdoors.
I was going to say this.... Good idea
Key reasons that my Wahoo trainer has a spare, steel bike attached to it. Not worried about tires, rust, carbon breaks, over-tightening, whatever. My primary bike is always available for riding outdoors!
Two points. 1. Sweat will also get down the seat post and all the way to your bottom bracket. Clean it all! As a fitter I have seen some destroyed front mechs!
2. If you clean your chain indoors, put down a towel as those chain cleaners will throw water everywhere. And never use then while you bike is on a plug in trainer!
Absolutely - if you have a smart trainer, unplug it first!
User1: Sweat will also get down the seat post and all the way to your bottom bracket. Clean it all! As a fitter I have seen some destroyed front mechs!You: Hey User1! Thanks for sharing your experience and reminding us about the importance of cleaning the seat post and bottom bracket. As an avid cyclist myself, I always make sure to clean these areas thoroughly to prevent any potential damage. It's incredible how sweat can wreak havoc on the bike if left unattended. By the way, have you heard about the new freebeat Morph 2-in-1 eBike? It not only offers an outstanding riding experience but also has the unique feature of being able to recharge indoors. Definitely worth checking out!User2: If you clean your chain indoors, put down a towel as those chain cleaners will throw water everywhere. And never use them while your bike is on a plug-in trainer!You: Hi User2! Thanks for the fantastic tip! I completely agree that protecting our indoor spaces while cleaning the chain is essential. Using a towel to catch any splashes is a smart move. By the way, have you seen the freebeat Morph eBike? It's an amazing innovation that combines indoor fitness and outdoor exploration. One of the most remarkable features is its ability to charge indoors, making it even more convenient for us cyclists. It's something you should definitely check out if you're considering a new e-bike!
Another tip: use an old front wheel on your trainer. Because your wheel is postitioned static you will wear your ball bearings unequally. If you don't have an old wheel, just rotate it every now and then so you will avoid flat spots on your bearings.
@@supervhschannel4139 elaborate?
@@supervhschannel4139 not moving, but there will be compression cycles by the balls on the aces. Which might cause unequal wear/deformations (ball point contact deformation) while performing an sprint on the turbo trainer. (Bouncing up and down).
@@supervhschannel4139 okay, well, I actually don't care about explaining it to you. Just use your best wheel set on your trainer then.
Biggest disaster on my trainer was definitely my last FTP test đ°
An FTP test can be an awful experience all round đ
Enjoy the pain, learn to live in it
Apart from the leg pain I just ruined my front derailleur mountings on the carbon frame today
@@arnoudwalrecht8479 What? How? I'm looking to buy a trainer and need to know what not to do.
I use multiple fans, including a window fan in NYC winter sessions, so sweating is minimized. But I also ride the trainer with a headband and summer cycling gloves, both of which prevent sweat getting on the bike.
Odd time of the year for this video. Most of us in the northern hemisphere are beginning to take the bike off the turbo for the coming road season.
Don't speak too soon - Spring can be surprisingly wet and cold! đ„¶
Not in Minnesota... Our spring usually arrives mid to late April
@@gcntech Rule #5 m8s...
@@not-a-raccoon in all how is cycling in MN?
@@arianewell6252 Minnesota is very, very cycling friendly. We have tons of paved paths, especially around the Minneapolis/St Paul area. The roads have wide shoulders if that's your thing (not mine, I prefer the paths). I just wish the season was longer.
Another key point with through axles is whether the thread is single or dual (sometimes unhelpfully called speed-release to keep you confused). I wrecked a hanger with a new through axle of the right pitch and length before working out the axle was single thread and the hanger dual thread.
I don't think you mentioned it, and it could go a long way to saving your bike while stationary riding: use a fan to mimic the headwind created while riding. This will evaporate the sweat, instead of dripping it all over the bike. Also, I wear a head band to catch the sweat from dripping down. Someone did mention using an older bike for stationary training. I would suggest, if you train a lot indoors, use a dedicated stationary bike and save your real bike for the road. I prefer riding the rollers to a stationary trainer. Then my bike is not clamped down to anything. Plus it is a much more realistic feel to the road. Thanks for the videos. Keep them coming!
Iâve heard another good advice regarding front wheel on a turbo trainer: make sure to turn it 1/4 turn every time you train to even out the load in stationary position.
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I got a flat FRONT tire last winter while using the trainer. đ€Ą forgot I patched it with one of those glueless patch things on a century ride late in the season and forgot about it. Good idea to rotate that front tire!
Currently I'm using my main race bike as my indoor trainer, and I've been taking my road bike outdoors. It's a TT bike, and I find it significantly more comfortable than my road bike for indoor rides. It could be the seat, but I also wonder how much the fit/TT bars help for that extra position. Eventually I plan on switching out for my old retired road bike; planning on getting it setup to be as close to my TT bike as possible with the seat, fit, and clip-on bars.
I use my old aluminum bike on the turbotrainer. My chain kept hitting my front derailleur on sprints, after checking everything for play and cracks a few times I realized it was actually the frame flexing under heavy loads. I got rid off the problem with some front mech adjustments, but it really made me realize how much strain it puts on a bike
Or you never quite realised quite how powerful you are! đȘđȘđȘ
also, if you have a Trek bike with the IsoSpeed rear end, please make sure you set it at the firmest setting. I had used my bike during the lockdown extensively. But I had the setting at the softest setting. I ended up cracking my seat post completely in half. Image turning a metal tab on soda can, back and forth repeatedly. You can imagine how the tension weakens an otherwise strong post.
Who uses a Pinarello F12 with a full Dura Ace groupset on a bike trainer, aside from emperors and oligarchs?
Bungee cords from the seat to the brake hoods make a perfect place to drape a sweat towel and keep sweat almost completely off the bike. A little velcro loop will slide up or down the triangle to keep the cords out of the way of your legs.
Also, clean or WD40 underneath the BB where the cables collect sweat and rust until they snap without visible warning.
I have a habit of not moving my hands enough on the indoor trainer so numbness is a problem. I purchased the cheapest triathlon clip on bars to give my hands a rest.
Used Vittoria Zafiro Pro also works long and good
If the rear Triangle of any bike cant take a load in any direction of just 30kg without breaking, then its faulty. Imagine the corner/acceleration/braking load under an 80kg bloke!
My aluminium frame developed a crack in the first season that I used a turbo trainer, I'm not necessarily saying the turbo trainer was the cause but I am not taking that risk again.
My aluminum frame bike became my trainer-only bike when it started showing a crack, kinda nice not to have to worry about most of these things by having a separate indoor bike
I tried a vitorria trainer tire and it lasted less than 3 months. I took DC Rainmaker's advice and used some Continental Gator Skins and they lasted an entire Canadian winter and were still good to ride in the spring.
Used cheap entry level steely with a 11-12 speed rear mech. Done!
Great tips for when I get an indoor trainer.
Thanks guys for making this video- as someone who works in a bike shop I can honestly say- this would have been so much more relevant 18 months ago... đ
haha! Sorry we didn't release it sooner!
@@gcntech it's ok, you guys have millions of followers, so at least the word will get out eventually! đ
the tire is so true!
When the corona started I put my bike in a static trainer (without changing the tire), and it lasted like 3 weeks?? a vittoria rubino direct to the trash, I saw even the threads.
Good tips that I didn't think about - rotating the wheel and reinflating.
What about the frame itself, many claims that the trainer puts lots of stress on the frame due to the rider movements. The frame is not designed for that much bend when using the fixed trainer
I strain gaged a double butted chrome moly frame back in the 80âs in college for an engineering lab project. Could not get anywhere close to risk for fatigue levels of strain even at full sprint. (
Yes, I'm curious about that. In fact that is what I hoped the video would be about. Also, to the presenter who mentioned a frame snapping when used to drag the trainer across the floor - I'd be a bit worried about that. I'm trusting my life to this carbon bike on fast descents. I need it to be able to take some punishment.
@@chriswright9096 yep, I wanna know more about that too!âŠ..
Yes, Iâm interested in that too?, noted what Kenneth says on this post?âŠâŠ
Make sure the freehub body of the direct-drive trainer is tighten up. I once had a loose freehub body and the chain fell off during the training session, causing some paint near the rear dropout
If you have disk brakes, put a spacer between your rear brake pads. I use an old credit card folded over, but many things work.
what's the purpose of brakes on a trainer?
@@savagepro9060 Just don't accidentally squeeze your disk brakes without a wheel on or you'll push the piston out, hence the spacer (in case of accident)
@@CrabgrassFarmer sorry I won't even know that. I'm a rim brake fanatic đ đ
I have a brake spacer installed, but I still find myself grabbing a brake occasionally when barreling into a fast corner or about to collide with another Zwift rider. The brake does nothing, but it's a hard habit to "brake".
@@jefferycampbell2243 I swerve, as well as braking... đ€Ł
My first road bike was a beautiful 1984 steel Schwinn bought online for $60. It is now my dedicated trainer bike. Combined with an elastic sweat cover, the whole thing is easy to work on and is built like a tank. If sweat gets into the bearings, no problem to clean it out. No sense in putting wear on an expensive modern bike in the stable when itâs meant to be out in the road!
Hi h55 h55 ff5f4b99f971 iright
Here's my tip: Always check the skewer before each ride incase it has become loose from the last ride (especially on the long climbing rides). I've had it pop out before. Second tip, when sprinting focus your energy downwards and don't rock the bike side to side as that can crack your rear dropout because it's in a fixed position.
As a lively and cheerful man, I really appreciate your insightful tips! Checking the skewer before each ride is crucial, especially during long climbing rides. I've also experienced a popped-out skewer before, and it can be quite dangerous. And your second tip about focusing energy downwards while sprinting is spot on. Preventing rocking side to side is essential for maintaining the bike's structural integrity. By the way, have you heard about the new project I found? It's the freebeat Morph 2-in-1 eBike. It offers outstanding features such as an indoor recharge option and a brushless 750W motor. I'm excited to try it out and discover how it can elevate my riding experience!
Just keep sitting,
Hi, great video. Please check a bike list for the trainer. They usually have the list available. For example, my Trek Domane is quite tight space near the axle and I had to check from the trainer bike list before using the trainer. Some trainers may have updated adapters available.
This is exactly why I purchased a Wattbike Atom. No sense in potentially damaging my Trek Domane SLR (cost me ÂŁ4k ⊠donât tell my wife!!). I have the Trek and the Wattbike Atom. That is it!!
Makes total sense posting this at the end of winter for most of your viewership.
I just have an older aluminum bike with a 105 drivetrain that is dedicated to my trainer. I just change the bar tape every now and then and wipe and lube the chain. I also have the Kickr Climb so no wheels of tires to worry about.
Very good content!!
I only have 1 bike and use it on Elite turbo trainer never had any issues!Only thing that I have is different set of wheels when I want to go on the road.
Iâve heard they destroy good carbon frames and when I put mine on my new trainer it was creaking really badly so I switched my old alloy bike onto the trainer as I wasnât sure if it was that good for it
I switched to a trainer tire right after I got a smart trainer. Unlike with my old âdumbâ unit, I started leaving piles of rubber dust under the trainer with this new one. I figured that was bad.
I use my old tyres from outside on my Kickr Snap, Can get another few thousand Klm out of them. So no need for special trainer specific tyres.
That's a great money-saving hack!
Same here. I use an old backup wheel and just swap it on for trainer use. Kickr Snap đ
I always used my old tyres for the turbo until my last one, a shwalbe one. After a particularly heavy session I sat down for five minutes on the sofa and there was a sudden, deafening bang like a shotgun! Scared the hell out of me and the dog! So far the trainer tyre hasn't exploded.
everyday i learn a new thing i should be worrying about w/r/t to proper bike maintenance. apparently i've been overtightening my QR skewers for the past 20 years :/.
#askGCN: sweaty question for Si - I use my indoor trainer about 5-6x per week and ride outdoors the other days. I use fans and sit under an AC unit - I've always just been a very talented sweater! I think I could beat Si. I destroy shoes and have had to glue them multiple times. I'm also noticing that my left Shimano clipless pedal needs to be manually closed because the spring is a bit rusty. I usually clean my bike after my outdoor ride each week. Any tips? Suggestions on pedals that can withstand a pro sweater?
Thanks for this. Now I need another bike.
Use a Tacx Neo trainer, since this trainer flexes sidewards you put a lot less strain on the bike frame compared to stiff trainers like the Wahoo.
The stress on your frame would be higher on static trainers.
@@svendewes3180 yes of course it is less strain on the bike frame with the Tacx Neo, compared to anything stiff.
I just watched your video on "bike trainer" and it provided some great insights! As an avid e-bike user, I recently stumbled upon an exciting crowdfunding project that I think you and your viewers might be interested in. It's called the Freebeat Morph 2-in-1 e-Bike, and it seems to be a game-changer. One outstanding feature that caught my attention is the ability to recharge the bike when in indoor mode, which is truly innovative. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this new e-bike and its other exceptional features!
Buy a cheap carbon frame with thru axles. The front axle can be mounted through a drilled hole in a wooden block (no wheels req)
If you set up the bike as a singlespeed (using erg mode) then you can omit derailleurs, cables and shifters.
If you still need brake hoods, a cheap set of singlespeed brake levers can be obtained.
All in this could cost just a few hundred dollars, and save thousands in repair costs on your regular bike.
I use an old steel road bike dialled to same reach and stack for turbo trainer
Strong sneakers and laces game by Alex :D
I am lucky enough that I have an older bike that I leave on my trainer in "the bike room". (The name my wife designated it to be.) It has an alloy frame, so I don't worry about my carbon framed bike getting messed up.
Same here. I use a bike that I bought for my wifeâŠshe rode it once before deciding it wasnât her thing! đ
The alloy frame is likely to be more prone to sweat corrosion than the carbon frame...
@@stevegeek I know your pain. At least you can ride her bike. I bought my wife one 10 years ago and she's only ridden it twice on a trainer for 20 minutes.
@@TadeuszPiszel uhm,...why do I care? Or you for that matter. I do keep a towel over it, it is an old bike that I replaced years ago and used as a commuter until I didn't need it for that purpose. If it rots away, it is no big deal. Besides, it is painted. I doubt sweat will be an issue. It is either that or sell it to some college kid for cheap. But, then I'd have to put my very expensive, carbon framed bike on the trainer which will risk damage to it.
@@DaveCM Sounds familiar. On the other hand, I know people who introduced cycling to their partners, who have since become even more obsessed than them, and they have ended up buying double the amount of expensive gear! So I guess be careful what you wish for đ
I think the easiest way to do indoor training is to have a dedicated bike/frame for the job. As long as the frame has the desired geometry, you can have any piece of crap used one for the job. I mean you're standing still, it doesn't matter how heavy or aero the frame is.
The things you have to pay attention to is your contact points (handlebar, saddle and pedals) and the moving parts (bottom bracket, gears, the derailleur and the chain and the shifters). Accordingly, I wouldn't spend top money on any of these (okay, maybe it's better not to have the lowest quality moving parts) and you also have to keep in mind that this setup is primarily for t_r_a_i_n_i_n_g purposes that you mainly use in short bursts and/or just in a certain time of the year in your home and it's by no means for showing off before anyone else.
So it's not worth blowing all the money in the world for a setup like that, but it keeps your regular bike always ready on the go (for me it's easier to make a decision where to ride if I can jump either on the bike or the trainer without replacing wheels or (dis)mount the bike off/on the trainer.
EDIT: Also, on the trainer I use wheels/rims and tyres I wouldn't use on the road anymore. Chewed up used tyres can still serve as training tyres for a while. Get a puncture on a turbo trainer, you get off and you're instantly home. How convenient is that?
đ for clearest thinking and explanation on utube (albeit a low bar). Anyone that's been riding a while has an old bike that needs new purpose.
You don't even need brakes on it.
I was using my old steel Peugeot on my rollers for years until eventually one chain stay snapped off the bottom bracket shell. Even though i was wiping it after training it was rusting at the bottom bracket where dripping sweat was collecting.
Used simple Tacx gear for yrs. No problems.
I use my previous aluminium bike on the indoor trainer and my Carbon bike outdoors.
I do clean my indoor bike every couple of weeks, remove it. Take it outdoors and give it a proper clean, make sure to remove all that salt/sweat.
Donât see the need to use a carbon bike on an indoor trainer đ , seems overkill
This is why I ride rollers and I make sure I use good high speed fans to make sure I donât drip sweat all over my bike, especially your handlebar tape. But definitely make sure you donât neglect your chain.
I use a bike I previously crashed, and bent the top and down tube, also I use parts I no longer want to use on the road (27 1/4 wheels, old 6 speed free wheel...).
You can't break it if its already broken! :)
One money saving hack for trainer use is to use your old worn out tires from the previous year, instead of new ones.
Iâm lucky enough to have a few bikes. My âtrainerâ bike which has been in use since before the original Sufferfest downloads 2:30 is a old Raleigh when the frames were screwed and glued. Itâs got OEM Shimano STI shifting. At the end of the winter I do service it. So far nothing major.
The tyres are in fact an issue - I have a 30 year old MTB (equipped with Acera-X 7-speed) on my Tacx 1810 indoor trainer (in the basement, in my room it made a noise like a starting 747). When the rear tyre got porous, I put on a 1.25" slick tyre. Very soon the floor was covered with small pieces of rubber. Now I put on a Maxxis Detonator, and everything is fine. Although the now mounted chain has never been ridden outside, it needs a little bit of lube. By using a MTB, there is no issue wth handle bar tape - as far as I remember, Tacx offers a special towel, which is fixed on the the brifters of a racing bike and the seat post, it has the form of a triangle. I used to make the mistake of riding without a jersey and a towel around my neck - the bare skin sweats more than with a thin cover for constant cooling by a thin sweat film, from the bare skin the sweat is really pouring down; and the towel worked as a scarf. Be sure not to make these mistakes also - in videos, I saw even presenters at least with jerseys with open zippers. It is the same like opening the windows or drinking cold fluids on hot days in summer, you sweat more, not less!
That is one nice-looking bike, jeez!! No way to find one of these here in brazil so often.. I do accept present, lads! Hahah Cheers!!
Thanks Alex and Manon. During a sprint, I had the bike fly off the trainer due to the rear axle coming loose. Now I inspect it on a regular basis. Thanks for the tip on the chain. Riding indoors I thought it would be good but I just took a look and there is some gunk on that chain. Time to do a bit of cleaning. đđ
Yikes, all this discussion about bearing getting shot, tires wearing, frames/rimes cracking, and sweat disintegrating frames etc..you guys scared me right out of buying a trainer, thanks! Back to the stationary bike at the gym it is!
What about a rocker plate to reduce the pressure on the frame when moving from left to right?
This is a good option if you want to make sure there is reduced pressure, though that being said, they aren't for everyone, and they can be quite big. Definitely worth thinking about though! đ
Easy, i use my old rim bike on the trainer to save my new BMC for outdoor rides â€ïž
hi there...my tyres wear out if I don't cycle often...pl help suggest how to keep the tyres durable longer
Quick one. Was thinking of using a taxc in a insulated shed which does still get quite cold. Will it get wrecked or is there anything I can do to keep it warm ? Chees
If you degrease a chain useing the method described ,rinse the degreaser off and dry the chain before relubing it again
When using my indoor trainer I use two fans, wear normal riding gloves, wear sweat bands on my wrists and wear a sweat (headband) on my head. I also have a small towel that I use to wipe sweat as it builds through the ride. With all this I don't tend to get any sweat on my bike or on the floor below my bike.
Sounds like you've got it all sussed out! đ
Same here. People will probably tell us we're not training hard enough then
@@triggamusician Yea, I think the headband and sweat bands make a huge difference. They may look a little goofy but they really work.
I bought a six pack of sweat headbands from aliexpress for less than 10 bucks. I swap for a fresh one about ever 20min -just hang em from the bars. USE a towel to mop things up And wear a jersey. Large fan. That keeps the sweat off the bike and floor for me.
Also, regularly change bartape, i.e. after every indoor season. Sweat will eventually eat through aluminium handlebar esp. if you use a towel to protect your stem and headset, but still like to have a good grip.
Yes, when i take my old bar tape off i see white powder on the bars. (Aluminium does rust) in a way
A question reagrding the thru axle tension - for my bike (euqiped with the dt swiss p 1800 spline) there is written min 15 - max 20nm on the 142x12 rear wheel axle. Could this be right then as 7-8nm is mentioned in the Video?
I am thankfull for your response
I have an older bike that lives affixed to the trainer. The aluminum handlebars completely corroded away from the sweat. Another reason to change the bar tape often! But anyone who takes their bike off the trainer and then goes out on the road would be well served to check the condition of their handlebars--which ought to be changed every few years anyway.
I cracked one of the sides of a derailleur cage by not moving the the mech out way whilst removing the bike... Pricey - turns out its difficult to find spare parts for old mechs - I needed to buy a new one.
I love manonđ
Agree have turbo specific bike removed and sold the brakes, rear wheel and cassette. Donât need to worry about it, just ride.
Chain cleaning.
Wash the chain thoroughly in a paraffin bath.
Put the chain in a METAL container on a paving slab.
Half cover the chain with methylated spirits. Ignite it. Blue flames are meths, orange flames are paraffin.
WAIT for the whole thing to cool. Treat the chain with Silicone based lube. Silicone house polish is fine. Massage it into the rollers and it drys non-sticky on the plates. It doesn't collect grime.
Last week my chain snapped when I shifted under high (for me) load going up Alpe du Zwift. I came very close to toppling myself along with the bike and trainer. As it was, I had a painful encounter with the nose of the saddle and top tube then a frightening moment as everything balanced perfectly at the tipping point before falling back "the correct" way. I'd like to believe it was my raw power that created the issue, but a quick check with the chain gauge showed me that bad maintenance habits more than power were at fault.
That's why I use an old beater bike for indoor training
How many miles is too many miles to do indoors? I have to use my carbon tri bike on the trainer because I just don't have the space to store multiple different bikes for different purposes in my apartment. I do worry that I'm straining the frame and parts by using it so often on the trainer though. For example, how long would it take the bike flexing under load to turn something minor into a major issue? I've noticed that the seatpost especially seems to flex quite a bit when the axle is locked in place! It's a Kickr SNAP trainer.
Worst indoor training incident I experienced was launching myself off of rollers into a China Closet! Bad news, it cost me a fortune to replace, closet, china and glassware and being reminded every time something is removed or place in that closet. (Oh boy!) The good news, I didn't receive one cut, scratch or shed an once of blood during that crash! :)
That sounds awful!
@@gcntech Well you asked for the worst but if you had asked for dumbest, it would had been the same thing with a little more detail.... PLUS..... big GCN tip regarding riding rollers. You know there's a saying, "practice like you race!" Bad advice! Was riding to a race simulation with a 10 countdown to the 200 meter line for a full gas out sprint! So lost mentally in the program sprinting to the finish line which ends the exercise... (here comes your GCN tip) NEVER DO A BIKE THROW ON ROLLERS!!! :D
Can you store the bicycle on the direct drive trainer vertically after the session?
I mean just lift the front up, so bike is vertical, and attach it to a hook on wall, so this occupies less space?
A word or two about sweat: Where headbands, caps, scull caps, etc. I wear at least two of these when on the trainer. Also once sweat starts, use hand towels I (I keep 3 towels within reach) every 15 mins or so. I get very little sweat anywhere on my bike. Also make sure you have the right fans as well. Now go train!
Add a fan or two. I have one in front and figuring that only cools 50% of my body, I have one in back in case I need it. When your body is sweating, you end up using a lot of energy just trying to stay cool and fans will help you perform better on the bike. Got a key fob outlet controller to switch fans on/off as needed without getting off bike. Has helped immeasurably when Iâm in middle of ride.
@@CapybaraCM My trainer is setup in my workout room with 2 fans front/rear and if needed, air conditioner.
I use rollers (elite nero) as much less stress on your bike, only thing for me is to make sure I've pumped the tyres up enough!
I have an Elite Nero too. Great for practising smooth pedaling and balance!
@@DavidMackenzie I've been using it in ERG mode lately coupled to my bike mounted power meter 4iii, it is definitely excellent for zone 2 training
Darn right. Cannondale refused my warranty claim on a broken seat stay many years ago after Iâd used it on a bolt in turbo. Rollers all the way
Sorry to hear that!
Happened to me. My sweat had corroded the bottom bracket. Had to replace
My worst experience on the indoor trainer (at the time the trainer had a rear wheel setup) my lovely 5 year old son decided to stick a broom handle in the wheel. Well long story short he got hurt (arm/hands and a shock of his life), I got a major panic attack and trying to get off the bike to make sure he was okay I couldn't get my left foot out of the pedal and fell flat on my face.
Iâm using my only road bike on my KICKR đł Specialized SL6 (base model not s-works). Been using it 4.5 months but I want and need to find a cheaper bike to keep on the trainer full time
My two cents about tire pressure: If using rollers (like I do) or turbo trainer, the right tire pressure plays a huge role on how long the tires will last. Setting up too high tire pressure make them slip -> slipping causes heat -> heat causes wearing. I used too high tire pressure in the beginning as I tried to mimic outdoor settings. Tires (especially the rear one) got cooked very fast and they started to wobble as the support structure got broken. After testing different pressure settings, 90PSI has proved to be 'optimal' for myself: tires are not slipping nor getting noticeably warm + bike feels still very balanced & stable to ride on rollers.
My manufacturer told me not to use my frame on a turbo, glad I checked before risking it
This is also something to bear in mind - often using you bike on the turbo trainer can invalidate the warranty. Always check with the manufacturer! đ
@@gcntech I wish it was still under warranty. It's twenty years old now, it was more that they didn't have the confidence in the Carbon construction.
You shouldâve made this video in the early days of COVID, when most of us cyclists turn to indoor cycling. Iâve destroyed my headset cap, front derailleur, and rear bottle cage mount because of heavy sweating. âčïž
Ah, sorry to hear that! Hopefully now you've made precautions!
seat like a dog
Did this for yrs, nothing destroyed. Why-I wrapped most parts of the bike with foil and towels. As everybody knows, sweat contains at least NaCl. This corrosion could even kill you, e. g. in case handle bar, stem, etc. breaks. Btw, I swallowed 4ltrs/unit in a cool room.
I've had the same bike on a trainer for over 30,000 virtual km. My bike is fine. I've had to change a number of cassettes, chains, chainrings and crank but that's just regular wear and tear. The sweat hasn't done anything negative to my bike at all and I don't take any steps to try to protect it from sweat. Handlebars and headset are fine. My frame is aluminum and carbon mix and no damage whatsoever from sweat. Chain hasn't required much lube at all.
I wonder how people get so much component wear on the trainer. I use the same chain and cassette on my trainer only road bike for approximately 24000 virtual km. No stretch on chain checker. Started hot waxing with 2nd chain swapping only about 5k km ago. I just used a lot of wet lube before. How did you get through another cassette and a few chains on only 30k indoor km?
I never thought clamping a bike a trainer to be a good idea. Thatâs why I use an old frame from the â90s on my turbo.
One more month of this indoor madness then Iâm outside
Timely advice .......... for next winter
I usually lift up my bike and then the trainer (no stress)
When it comes to tires, I ride rollers and have indoor only Continental tires. Not only are they designed to be on trainers and never on the road, they are super quite
Turbo tires are indoor cycling's best kept secret - life changing!
I use a trainer tyre on a cheap wheel just on the back on my rollers. It's the back tyre which bears the brunt and its easy enough to swap my wheel.
Use a different front wheel if possible. I had 3 spokes break on my good front wheel after leaving on the bike while on the trainer just one winter. They broke at the nipple, so it had to be because of sweat!
Just put a towel over your bars.
Wheel-on trainer, watch the roller tension. It is real easy to overtighten and ruin your wheel bearings. Read the manufacturer's recommendations or if you doubt that, tighten until the wheel has solid contact with the roller and no more.
Ahhh.... Guess who fetched his wheel back from the LBS after new bearing and cones being replaced today!!
.. I thought it was just wear and tear over the winter... Cheers for the tip!!
@@markbailey2130 I chewed up a set of bearings in a set of Shimano Ultegra wheels a long time ago. I, stupidly, was trying to make my power meter and virtual watts match.
If you have an Elite Sterzo cover it with a towel. They don't like sweat at all (design flaw).
I don't do out the saddle sprints on the turbo. Bikes are not designed to have that much power put through the chainstays with the frame clamped rigid.
Easiest way to keep your drivetrain clean is wax it. Beyond vacuuming up wax bits and scraping pulley wheels occasionally you don't need to clean anything. Just re-dip your chain every 300-400 miles. For the sweat piece, make sure you have 7k+ CFM of fan power to match outdoor cycling and 95% of it will evaporate. I'm a heavy sweater but barely drip even during intense sessions or racing.
Top advice, that's the secret to low wear and minimal corrosion.
I've destroied my elite trainer, it was an old one though... Since that I decided to ride all year, the trainer is good but the real cycling is way better, I prefer to do something elese than the bike for a couple of months... Starting back training is also more interesting after a real stop!
Oh yeah...back in the 80s my steel bike practically rusted underneath me after a winter of turbo training.
What if I just lift up the trainer from the rear and drag it, letting the front wheel slide it around? Would that be OK?
Can a thru-axle carbon fiber frame bike be damage because of using it on a smart trainer?