Bike Trainer Tension

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2012-12-13 3:54 PM

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Regular
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Bearspaw, Alberta
Subject: Bike Trainer Tension

I've been ignoring the bike trainer for long enough and I think I finally have to buck up an get on there.  My last ride on there was SO SLOW.  I was going about 12 km/h.  Admittedly, I'm not fast, but on the road I can go 21-23 km/h average (and I'm working on that).  So I'm thinking the starting tension is wrong.  The instructions said to make it so you couldn't turn the back wheel without significant force.  I can't - but maybe my version of significant force is different than theirs?  Is there a good way to know the tension is right?

2012-12-13 4:25 PM
in reply to: #4534376

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Nova Scotia, Canada
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer Tension
What type of trainer do you have. I'm using a cycleops fluid 2. I just tighten the knob until it touches the wheel and then lock it down into place. Pretty much tight enough o that the wheel wouldn't slip if I pulled up quickly on it. Not sue if that's what you mean when you say how tight your making it. The tire is indented a few mm at 110psi.

Edited by BigDaddyD79 2012-12-13 4:30 PM
2012-12-13 5:08 PM
in reply to: #4534376

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Regular
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Bearspaw, Alberta
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer Tension
Oh, mine is a lot tighter than that.  I have a Computrainer and it's tight enough that if hold the disc on the trainer (the one that turns the drum the tire sits on) still you cannot move the wheel without REALLY using some force.  My tire is notably indented.  Sounds like it's WAY too tight?
2012-12-13 6:33 PM
in reply to: #4534471

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Subject: RE: Bike Trainer Tension
When mine is done to spec I have a really hard time moving mine as well.  Basically if it's too loose then it will "slip" on a quick acceleration.
2012-12-14 8:25 AM
in reply to: #4534547

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Master
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Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer Tension

dfquigley - 2012-12-13 7:33 PM When mine is done to spec I have a really hard time moving mine as well.  Basically if it's too loose then it will "slip" on a quick acceleration.

That's kinda my gauge... I've got it dialed in now so I can just snap the handle down, but on the initial set up I tweaked it around until I got to the point that when I got on the bike and jammed down hard on the pedal the tire wouldn't slip.

2012-12-14 9:43 AM
in reply to: #4534376

Regular
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Subject: RE: Bike Trainer Tension
Don't worry about speed on a bike trainer.  It means nothing.  Crank the tension up and pay attention to your heart rate or power (if you are lucky enough).  All that counts on a bike trainer is time.  Not speed or distance.

2012-12-14 10:16 AM
in reply to: #4534471

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Pro
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Bike Trainer Tension
You can pretty much tell on a CompuTrainer because of the calibration... if you're well above the 2.0, then your pressure is too high.

If you're using a standard road tire, then I can understand why you're using such high pressure... they tend to slip a lot... get a trainer specific tire and you'll be fine. Also, the CT roller is quite abrasive on a normal tire, so you've probably experienced some rubber spray already... it's killing your tire.
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