Spare back wheel for the trainer?

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2011-08-16 12:00 AM

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Regular
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Sugar Land
Subject: Spare back wheel for the trainer?

Should I buy a used back wheel for my bike to use on my trainer? I've only used a trainer twice in the past. Each time I noticed pieces of my back tire all over my bike and my tires losing some of it's curvature.

Do most people buy a spare back wheel do use on the trainer so they don't wear out their tires? If so, what's a good pace to buy an inexpensive wheel (preferably used)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

2011-08-16 12:29 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Expert
697
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Northern CA
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?

I have a bike that does nothing but sit in the trainer. Laughing

But back when I only had one bike I didn't have any big issues with the back tire wearing out. I worried about it but nothing bad ever happened.

2011-08-16 4:50 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Pro
5892
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
Highly recommend a trainer specific tire for two reasons... first, the softer compound needed for grip on the road will break down quite quickly on the trainer due to heat (from friction) and take the tires expected life from maybe 4-6k miles to a fraction of that. Second, the compound in the trainer tire is designed to reduce slippage which gives you a much better work out (especially while changing power output rapidly such as intervals) and will reduce heat. Commonly, you will find rubber dust from normal road tires on the ground/wall behind the trainer, a clear sign that you are breaking down your tire quickly, not to mention, a pain to clean up.
2011-08-16 6:40 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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4360
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Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?

I ended up buying a spare wheel that I use for the trainer.  I just put on either cheap tires or older ones and don't care about the wear and tear.

2011-08-16 7:02 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
NewbieTri100 - 2011-08-16 12:00 AM

 and my tires losing some of it's curvature.


are you releasing the tension on the trainer after your workout?

I bought a cheap spare wheel, cassette, and trainer-specific tire for my computrainer.  Makes life much easier
2011-08-16 7:02 AM
in reply to: #3645147

Master
10208
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Northern IL
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?

Sort of.  I bought a new set of road wheels and use the stock pair for trainer or rollers.  I'm using inexpensive tires for now, but will likely get a trainer tire once it wears out.  Having an extra wheel makes it much easier to switch out for trainer rides and also not have to worry about the trainer chewing through the tires.  Using an 11-21 cassette for this to minimize gaps between gears.  Who needs a bottom end on a trainer anyway?

Thought about a cheap frame to have an entire bike for it, but I don't know where I'd put it.  Already have 3 bikes at home.  Been liking training on the setups I'll be using too.



Edited by brigby1 2011-08-16 7:06 AM

2011-08-16 7:08 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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New user
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Columbia
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?

One issue I've had in swapping wheels is making sure the rear D is alligned and the limit screws are in the right place.  Depending on the dish of the wheel, have made a swap and dropped the chain inside breaking spokes in the process.  My fault, and lesson learned, but should be fine if staying in the middle of the cassette.  

 

2011-08-16 7:42 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Pro
5011
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Twin Cities
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?

If the bike will be on the trainer for extended periods of time, then I just put an old tire on the rear wheel. Otherwise, if it's moving on and off with frequency, I leave the regular tire on. I do not typically change wheels.

That being said, my tri bike almost NEVER leaves the trainer, except for when I race--which I have done all of twice this summer. So lately, I just leave the junk tire on teh rear wheel, as I have race wheels on it when I'm racing.

2011-08-16 7:44 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Master
2426
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
My trainer is set up with crap spare rear wheel + old tire I wouldn't trust on the road.  Fully functional & green (recycle old tire vs buying dedicated trainer tire). 
2011-08-16 8:02 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Pro
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Melbourne FL
Gold member
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?

This past summer I was looking for a rear wheel for the trainer and instead I bought a cheap Felt TTR3 40mm wheelset for training and racing outdoors.  My OEM rear wheel now has the dedicated Conti trainer tire permanently mounted on it.  I bought the cassette removal tools and it takes hardly anytime now that I have the process down to swap the cassette.  My bike stand is the trainer and when training I ride it 2-3x per week with 1 outdoor ride per week.

Before I bought the wheelset I swapped the trainer tire on and off as needed.  Great practice for those rear wheel flats but a PITA.

2011-08-16 8:14 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Expert
1159
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
You may want to check with your LBS.  I got a free wheel from mine.  It has a crack in it, so it's useless for road riding.  I've heard of other bike shops doing this, so it may be worth the call.

2011-08-16 8:17 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Extreme Veteran
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Southeast Michigan
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
I started out this summer with the idea of swapping in an older wheel for the trainer when training indoors, but quickly abandoned that idea.  It was a pain and I didn't have magnet on the trainer wheel to work with the bike computer (yes I could have gone and bought one, but I didn't).  I felt like I was riding blind without that.  So now basically in the offseason I'll use an old, crappy tire the whole time, during the season when I'm training I'll put on a nicer tire that rides pretty good outside, almost as good as my racing tire actually, but is cheap enough that I don't mind if it wears out a bit quicker on the trainer.  Then I have racing tires that only come out for races and maybe a ride the week before the race. 
2011-08-16 8:27 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Extreme Veteran
607
500100
Rochester, MN
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
Cheap wheel and cassette and trainer tire for me.  I like how easy/quick it is to swap the complete rear wheel. 
2011-08-16 8:33 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Expert
1128
100010025
Fort Riley, Kansas
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
When I bought my Sram S60s, I bought a Shimano 105 cassette to put on my old rear wheel to use only on the trainer. I only ride on the road on Saturdays, so I train on the road and race on my S60s. I ride on the trainer during the week. Its kind of a pain changing the rear wheel twice a week between the trainer and the road, but buying an extra cassette does make it easier.
2011-08-16 8:41 AM
in reply to: #3645147

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Master
1681
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Rural Ontario
Subject: RE: Spare back wheel for the trainer?
I found a old wheel with cassete on Craigslist for $50. For me the $50 is worth not having to change tires on my trainer wheel.
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