Special tyres for rollers?
crescent
Posts: 1,199
Is it necessary to use special tyres on rollers? I know turbos require a different type of rear tyre due to the extra wear on it but I normally just plonk one of my bikes on the rollers and go for it, under the assumption that they are not being exposed to any more wear and tear than they would see on the road. However, after a roller session yesterday I thought my Gatorskins looked a bit "shiny", not sure if it is wear or just the effect of running on the relatively clean roller drums that have cleaned them up a bit.
Bianchi ImpulsoBMC Teammachine SLR02 01Trek Domane AL3“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. “ ~H.G. Wells Edit - "Unless it's a BMX"
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You don't need a special turbo tyre. They are just made of a harder wearing compound.
Any old tyre past its best will do just as well. I wouldn't use a tyre you intend going outside on as they do square off on the sides.
As for rollers you're simulating being on he road and there is no extra pressure on the tyre so you could use your normal setup without damaging them
I found gatorskins to be a bit slippy on the rollers, and if using brand new gatorskins then you can get a black residue on the rear rollers which can be a b***** to get off.
I have never used Gatorskins (preferring GP4000's and 4 Seasons) but have always perceived them to have poor grip.
If they are 'slippy' on rollers, then surely they are slippy on the road?
Only when new. The first time i bought Gatorskins several club mates, and also the lbs i bought them from, warned me that if the first ride on them is in the wet be very very cautious as they are notoriously slippery.
This is only for the first ride or two though, after which they are excellent. They are no where near as grippy as GP4000s (which i use on my best bike) but then they last quite a bit longer.
Thanks for the replies.
Sorry but I just don't buy that they 'wear in' from being dangerous ("very very cautious" "Notoriously slippery") to excellent.
They sound like a commuting tyre at best, and even then I would just get something that gave me and the bike a better contact point with the tarmac.
I know it sounds strange but they do wear in. Its as if they are coated with something when they leave the factory. I was very unsure about them after the first ride, but a couple of rides later and i was won over. They aren't as fast as GP4000 but offer a lot of puncture resistance and don't cut up as easily.
It is just a case of getting the first 20miles or so completed on a dry ride.
I know this is hardly the same sport, but if you have ever watched F1 coverage where they refer to tyres as being "scrubbed"? They have removed the top layer of rubber to get to the grippier compound underneath. The same happens on all tyres. If you use a new tyre on a roller you won't scrub away the top layer and it will remain shiny. Add to that a smooth surface of a roller will polish the tyre as opposed to the road which is obviously rough and scrubs it proving better grip.
If you look at the indoor trainer tyres, they are smooth but a very spongy rubber to provide grip against the resistance roller which is made of metal. If you use a normal tyre they tend to squeak on higher resistances as they just don't have the grip on them for that particular surface.