Turbo trainers and tyres

captainfirecat
captainfirecat Posts: 44
edited September 2013 in Training, fitness and health
Hi all

What's the concensus on tyres and turbo trainers? Basically once winter hits and my race bike becomes unsafe to ride I intended to bring it indoors, put it on a trainer and leave it there till the ice melts. In which case I also intended to change the back tyre to the one that came with the bike, rather than my kevlar-harder-to-puncture-and-has-a-bit-more-grip-tyre I have on at the moment.

But due to both myself and my wife being injured at the moment we've stepped up the plan and will be getting a trainer this weekend. Am I being over-protective of my tyre to suggest I get another (cheap) wheel and put the default tyre on that, then switch the wheels depending on whether it is in or out of the house?

I suppose the question is, will my tyre wear down faster on the trainer than the road, assuming it is a race tyre with minimal tread (I can find the exact make later if need be)? I'd rather not have to change the wheel every time I change use, but I will if it will dramatically extend the life of my road tyre.

Thanks all!

Comments

  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    A regular road tyre will get shredded on the turbo-buy a dedicated turbo tyre and they last forever
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    I use an old road tyre. Effectively free. I do most of my training on the turbo (have done for the last 5 years) and never needed to buy a turbo specific tyre. I'm only on my 2nd tyre now as I gave my last one to a mate. To use on his turbo.
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  • NapoleonD wrote:
    I use an old road tyre. Effectively free. I do most of my training on the turbo (have done for the last 5 years) and never needed to buy a turbo specific tyre. I'm only on my 2nd tyre now as I gave my last one to a mate. To use on his turbo.

    Taking both replies together, in that case I will not risk my 'nice' tyre, but given I have 4 factory standard tyres laying about doing nothing I'll put one of them on and if it wears quickly I'll buy a proper turbo tyre.

    Many thanks to you both.
  • Ha! Not thought this through have I... If I buy a new wheel and put a tyre on it, I'll also need a cassette to go on said new wheel...

    Think on this I will.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Well saved young man :)
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,032
    You may have more slippage problems with a non-turbo tire.
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  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Or... You may not. I've never had slippage issues.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    Just use your old tyres probably worth buying a cheap rear wheel.
    I use a Lemond Revolution so no slippage and no wheel.
    (very noisy)
  • +1
    No tyre wear with the Lemond Revolution.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    definitely go for a second wheel & cassette (just get a lower grade one) and use an old tyre ...

    My problem is now that we have 2 bikes with different cog counts to go on the turbo - need another spare wheel!
  • xscreamsuk
    xscreamsuk Posts: 318
    have a specific turbo wheel but with a normal tyre. Done over 600 hours with no problems,
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    If anybody needs one cheap I've got a Shimano RS10 with a turbo tyre on it (wheel never used on the road) that I used on my turbo until I left it in the sun and boiled the gel chamber... Turbo's don't work well 1/2 full of air.
  • supermurph09
    supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
    Apologies for the hijack, when the weather starts to turn I'll most likely hibernate my Planet X 52mm clinchers and bring out my Easton's for road use. Will the Planet X wheels be ok on a turbo trainer? I have a couple of old tyres I can use.
  • Hawmaw
    Hawmaw Posts: 124
    I use an old steel framed Benotto that cost me £30 on my turbo. I stripped off the brakes and front mech and sold them for £20. I've been using it roughly twice a week for about a year and the old tyre with split sidewalls that came on the bike is still going strong and no noticable slip.

    So , no need to by trainer specific tyres.
  • Glad my topic lived on :)
    I'm passing Halfords tonight so will call in and price up everything. Possibly stupid question, does the number of gears on the cassette matter here, as I won't be changing gear will I?
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Glad my topic lived on :)
    I'm passing Halfords tonight so will call in and price up everything. Possibly stupid question, does the number of gears on the cassette matter here, as I won't be changing gear will I?
    If you use it right you will :)
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Try Decathlon as well for your stuff.
  • I think tyre wear very much depends on the turbo being used. I have an Elite Qubo that has an Elastogel roller and have used it a lot this year due to having an accident on the road in april.
    As such ive done a lot of miles using my Conti GP 4000s tyres and haven't noticed any more wear than normal road riding.

    Mick
  • diamonddog wrote:
    Glad my topic lived on :)
    I'm passing Halfords tonight so will call in and price up everything. Possibly stupid question, does the number of gears on the cassette matter here, as I won't be changing gear will I?
    If you use it right you will :)

    Haha, shows what I know!

    Halfords 'quoted' £50 for a wheel and £25 for a cassette. I suspect I can do better.
  • Yeah, no need to buy a dedicated "trainer tire" from the manufacturers. Just use a tired tire or buy some cheapies from Ribble - 2 for the price of one "trainer tire".