General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Trainer tension Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2014-12-17 7:19 PM

User image


51
2525
Subject: Trainer tension
New to indoor bike trainers. I have a KK Road Machine and a Cycleops yellow trainer tire and am curious as to how much tension I should have on the tire. After every workout I notice Flakes of the tire on the floor below and some still stuck to the tire. It would seem at this rate the tire is only going to last a month (3 trainer rides per week) Any advice? Thanks all


2014-12-17 8:50 PM
in reply to: trifish2

User image

Extreme Veteran
680
500100252525
Acworth, GA
Subject: RE: Trainer tension
I have a Cyclops magnetic trainer and I put enough tension on the wheel to where I get minimal to no slippage when turning the pedals. For my tire, that tends to be about 2 1/2 full turns from the point where the roller starts to make contact.

I have used a continental trainer tire and it has lasted over 4 years, it is looking a little ragged but still works. I wouldn't worry too much about the flaking of the tire, trainer tires are typically a lot thicker than a road tire so will last pretty long.
2014-12-18 7:36 AM
in reply to: trifish2

User image

Extreme Veteran
1018
1000
Subject: RE: Trainer tension
Not sure about the KK. I have CycleOps Jet Fluid Pro. I put the flywheel on the tire, give it a quarter turn and flip the lever to lick it in place. It makes a good size dent in the tire. Tire is still rocking after 3 years.
2014-12-18 8:09 AM
in reply to: trifish2

Member
587
500252525
Subject: RE: Trainer tension
Your tire will last longer than you think. Yes, the trainer can chew through tires but the tire will still last for a long time. After my tires get too worn for riding on the road I turn them into trainer tires.
2014-12-18 8:41 AM
in reply to: trifish2


44
25
Subject: RE: Trainer tension
On my KK the magic tension is about 2.5 full turns after the tire touches the roller. It's tight enough that it doesn't slip when i apply constant pedal pressure but if my stroke is uneven it will squeak a bit. So that kind of helps with proper technique.
2014-12-18 8:44 AM
in reply to: trifish2

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Trainer tension

I have a KK Road Machine as well. I'll give the wheel a quick pull & stop by hand to check for slippage. I'm fine with it being no slip to just the slightest squeak.



2014-12-18 9:01 AM
in reply to: brigby1

User image

Elite
7783
50002000500100100252525
PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Trainer tension

Originally posted by brigby1

I have a KK Road Machine as well. I'll give the wheel a quick pull & stop by hand to check for slippage. I'm fine with it being no slip to just the slightest squeak.

This is exactly what I do as well.

2014-12-18 9:37 AM
in reply to: 0

User image

Pro
6582
50001000500252525
Melbourne FL
Gold member
Subject: RE: Trainer tension

I use a KKRM with a Continental trainer tire for about 5 years now and have zero flakes after use. 

I set the tension so that with ~105PSI in the tire and cold resistance unit such that a 20mph to 0 spindown takes ~ 11-12 second, after ~10' warm-up period the spindown will then take ~13-14 seconds.  A while back on BT it was posted that a 13.5s (or maybe it was 13.8s) spindown time from 20mph is what matched the published resistance curve.  True or not that's what I have been using for a long time now.

FWIW, the spindown above equates to between 2.5 & 2.75 turns on my setup.

 



Edited by Donto 2014-12-18 9:40 AM
2014-12-18 10:16 AM
in reply to: Donto

User image

Master
3888
20001000500100100100252525
Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Trainer tension
Originally posted by Donto

I use a KKRM with a Continental trainer tire for about 5 years now and have zero flakes after use. 

I set the tension so that with ~105PSI in the tire and cold resistance unit such that a 20mph to 0 spindown takes ~ 11-12 second, after ~10' warm-up period the spindown will then take ~13-14 seconds.  A while back on BT it was posted that a 13.5s (or maybe it was 13.8s) spindown time from 20mph is what matched the published resistance curve.  True or not that's what I have been using for a long time now.

FWIW, the spindown above equates to between 2.5 & 2.75 turns on my setup.

 




Yep ^^^^^^^^

Also, if you're tracking progress, training with power/virtual power etc. you want to keep that tension consistent. So if you remove the bike from the trainer air out the tire and remove such that the tension stays as constant as possible.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Trainer tension Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

Bike Trainer Tension

Started by Wiff
Views: 2522 Posts: 7

2012-12-14 10:16 AM audiojan

Bike trainer tension

Started by Nole Runner
Views: 1599 Posts: 6

2009-05-21 10:18 AM Bearintheair2000

Clipless Pedal Tension

Started by robertp1024
Views: 1881 Posts: 6

2009-04-04 6:50 PM Daremo

Trainer Tension

Started by SSMinnow
Views: 1383 Posts: 10

2007-12-06 1:56 AM AdventureBear

Cable Tensions

Started by scoobysdad
Views: 789 Posts: 4

2007-07-17 8:02 AM soloryder
RELATED ARTICLES
date : January 25, 2012
author : FitWerx
comments : 0
This article will discuss the differences between TrainerRoad and PowerTap's power numbers and how to best use each of them.
 
date : November 28, 2011
author : juliapurr
comments : 0
Bored out of your mind or watching a movie? Amp it up on the bike trainer.
date : November 5, 2010
author : FitWerx
comments : 0
Do you struggle to hold your power output indoors versus outdoors? The keys to this problem are due to lack of cooling and the flywheel effect.
 
date : February 4, 2009
author : mikericci
comments : 0
Here are our most popular questions for training during the off season. Everything from treadmills to heart rate monitors to core strength.
date : January 3, 2009
author : Coach AJ
comments : 3
We review the Halo Swim Trainer and how it can help the 'high elbow catch' part of your swim stroke along with your swimming tempo.
 
date : December 28, 2008
author : mat steinmetz
comments : 1
Tired of your bike trainer already? Here are two indoor bike trainer workouts that you can use to keep things interesting while keeping your cycling fitness up.
date : April 1, 2008
author : trvw
comments : 0
The challenge? The accomplishment? I want to do this because it is an opportunity to live life. The event is an indoor sprint triathlon. I get to experience the challenge on a safer scale.
 
date : November 14, 2004
author : trixie
comments : 0
A static stretching routine to aid in coordination, reducing muscle tension while serving to increase your range of motion.