Trainer & Road Bike

yorkstyke

Firstly I must apologise if this message is in the wrong forum, I am a newbie on this forum. My problem is that I have a Scott Solace 15 disc road bike and a Kinetic Trainer, I have got everything working okay but I am uneasy with using standard road tyres and I don't want to be constantly changing the tyre for the specific training tyre. The problem is that I cannot find a wheel that gives a 135 x 12mm axle, fitting for an 11 speed cassette, 700c size there seems to be plenty 29'ers but they have 142 x 12mm O.L.D. axles. Has anyone any idea where I could get a wheel that is not going to cost me hundreds of pounds. The wheels fitted are Syncros RP 2.0 disc which are DT Swiss.
Thanks in advance
David

debeli

I know people who use fancy (and super-hard) turbo tyres on a separate wheel for their Turbo.

I do not. I find that a scruffy road tyre lasts very well on a trainer. It gets a sort of broad, dark stripe along the contact patch, but leaves no mark on the roller (currently a Tacx Flow).

IN a really cold, wet, shivery winter I put an old 'waiting to be thrown out' tyre on the rear wheel, but otherwise I ride the bike as it is.

If you really want a wheel specifically for the Turbo, have a look for a secondhand one from a nerfed bike. The issue will be as much about getting the right cassette as it will be about getting a straightish wheel.

But I wouldn't bother....

markhewitt1978

Isn't the issue less about which tyre to use on the trainer - because anything will do. But more the hassle of having to change a tyre in the first place? As swapping out a rear wheel takes about a minute (that's if you're going slow and keep getting it wrong like I do). Whereas changing out a tyre can be a lot longer process and very bad for your thumbs. Granted I don't run discs.

yorkstyke

Thanks both for the comments, both useful, yes, I don't need to use a trainer specific tyre but Markhewitt1978 is correct, it is more about the wheel than the tyre. I suppose I am paying for being 'ahead of the game' in getting a disc roadbike. I suppose I don't really need a centre disc fitting, I am presuming that a 6 bolt hub and disc will do just as well, but where I am really stuck is finding a hub that will take a thru axle and is 135 x 12. I suppose I could look at a cross wheel, but they appear to be 142 x 12 as do 29'ers, but then I have the added complication of needing an 11 speed and again most seem to be 9/10. It is all really for ease, much easier changing a wheel which is mostly similar spec to the existing one than faffing about changing tyres on my existing wheel. I thought it was a good idea at the time treating myself to disc road bike for my retirement which in reality aren't all that much better than the rim brakes on my hybrid bike which are set up properly.

markhewitt1978

Or you could declare the problem as impossible and treat yourself to a cheap bike which is just for trainer duty

fenix

I've done days and days of turbo sessions on my race bike on my race wheel. The tyre probably wears about as much as it would on the road. The wheel is fine. There's no reason to get another wheel to avoid wear. You may as well get a whole new bike if you're going to be that cautious.

And how many sessions a week are you planning on doing ?

MountainMonster

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19719093#p19719093]markhewitt1978[/url] wrote:

Or you could declare the problem as impossible and treat yourself to a cheap bike which is just for trainer duty

This is definitely the most sensible answer to the problem. Failing that you don't need a disc specific wheel for the trainer. Just remember to put a spacer block in the brakes before use in case you accidentally use the brakes.

yorkstyke

Thanks everyone for their feedback, the problem with using a non disc wheel is that it would still have to have a thru axle with a 135 x 12 hub, which as far as I know would only be available on a disc specific wheel, I had thought about doing that. Asfar as getting another bike just for the trainer, the wife wouldn't wear that and it isn't something I can hide from here, she is bound to notice an extra bike Interesting Fenix about using a road tyre on the trainer and bike, your experience seems to bear this out that it is possible. So, being a Yorkshireman albeit in exile in Essex and being tight I have come to the conclusion for now to use my hybrid bike for the trainer, I have a spare wheel fitted with a trainer specific tyre. In the meantime I will keep a lookout on eBay for anything suitable or I might make up a wheel to suit, I have done it before for a couple of hybrid wheels and not is not too difficult although time consuming but I have plenty of that now being retired (apart from all the jobs the wife has lined up for me); but thanks again for your feedback it has been most enlightening and very sensible.

andrewjoseph

in the winter i use the turbo about twice a week for an hour at a time. I've never bothered with a trainer tyre. I just stick the bike on and go. the hassle of doing anything else would be annoying and off-putting and i don't need excuses not to use the turbo.

Grifcp

I've been looking at the Scott solace 15 disc and everything I've read says it has a 142 x12mm rear axle not 135. I also have a Kinetic trainer and I don't think a through axle will fit anyway, so using your other bike is probably the best bet, what do you think of the Solace?

yorkstyke

There is a way, you are correct that it is 135mm, get hold of a Kinetic Traxle, (I managed to get one from eBay) and get the medium thread 142mm x 12mm, I then contacted Kinetic in the States and they sent me a selection of spacers to try, they also requested I explain which one I used and send them photos for their records.
Of the spacers they sent me, I think it was the 11mm one that fitted. Just put it on the non gear side, thread it through and put the locking nut on the gear side and you are good to go and I use the Kinetic Trainer.
As for the Scott Solace 15 disc, very pleased with it, very responsive and a brilliant bike in every way that is if you want to go down the disc route. So far I haven't really noticed a difference between disc and a well set up rim brake, could be a little more progressive and they certainly stop well in a panic! If you do want to get the Solace and a Traxle, I have a few spacers left over which you can have, it may be silver rather than black.

Grifcp

Thanks for the kind offer but I have other bikes I use on the turbo so not an issue for me luckily, I like the Traxle though, looks like a good solution. Not entirely sure I want to go disc I must admit, had a very nice 45 mile ride this morning and barely touched the brakes and they worked very well when I did, admittedly it wasn't wet and sadly there weren't any mountain descents on my route either, not many alps in Hertfordshire!

yorkstyke

Yes, I have the same problem in Essex, did a 30 mile ride this afternoon (a bit cold wasn't it) and probably only touched the brakes a couple of times more often than not when I wanted to stop and blow my nose! I suppose a disc bike could be a bit of an overkill.One reason I never got a mountain bike was there wasn't any mountains in Essex, same as in Hertfordshire.
I can still recommend the Scott Solace 15, a brilliant bike, when I got it, it was between the Scott and the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Disc and it came down to the Scott. The bike shop I got it from called Pedalon, who were excellent by the way, siad I had made the right choice. As to if you go for the Scott, I suppose it is a case of "you pays your money, and takes your chance" it wouldn't be right for everyone, I suppose a lot of it depends on what sort of riding you are doing, but I am extremely happy with it.