Dedicated Turbo Trainer rear wheel?

[zombiemiked]

What are your thoughts on the requirements of a dedicated rear wheel when using a turbo trainer? O picked up a cheap one for Christmas and so far have been using my regular road "training" tyres. Am I likely to wear them out more quickly on the Turbo or is that an old wives tail?

ZMD

 

[smokeysmoo]

Just make sure you have it adjusted correctly and it should be fine.

I don't use turbos myself, (although I have had them in the past and just used the bike as it was), but a mate of mine uses one quite extensively, and he never uses a dedicated wheel or tyre, and he's never had any problems.

If the tyre is getting worn then the turbo is not adjusted corrected apparently.

 

[DooDah]

I use a turbo and the rear tyre was quickly wearing out. I put a turbo specific tyre on and the noise was significantly reduced. A bit of a pain though as when I want to go out on the bike, I will need to change the tyre back as I don't have a spare wheel. If it were me I would use your spare wheel and put a turbo tyre on it or just a cheap road tyre.

 

[Reece]

I've just got myself a turbo. Also use a dedicated turbo rear wheel. Mainly so I don't wear out my conti GP 4season tyres and also I read online smoother tyres are better on the turbo so just use the stock giant tyres that came on the defy.

 

[lulubel]

I always use a trainer specific tyre on the turbo. They last a LOT longer, and if you've got a separate wheel for it, there's really no reason not to.

 

[endoman]

I use an old wheel with an old tyre, normal road tyre, 1500 miles on the turbo with zero problems. If the tyre should give up, then I will just use another old road tyre like this one was.

 

[gbb]

While accepting some normal tyres may wear quicker on a turbo, ive run my normal wheel tyre setup for the last three years,, no problem at all. No wear, no excess heat...nothing. Conti gator in my case. Never remotely felt the need for a turbo specific tyre,

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Have a look at Decathlon for their budget wheels. A Schwalbe turbo tyre is about £26, Decathlon shouldn't be much dearer for a complete spare rear if you're so inclined.

 

[zombiemiked]

Ok, so opinions vary here as much as the rest of the web. I will stick with the existing tyres until the rear packs up or I fancy a new set.

 

[FreeFlow Bikes]

I used to use old tyres and a spare wheel up until two weeks ago when I blew the tyre while on the turbo. I have now fitted a turbo tyre on my spare wheel to see how that goes.

 

[oldfatfool]

It will depend on the length of time and the amount of resistance you do when on the turbo. I use a specific tyre and do use the turbo a lot with simulated gradients upto > 14%, if you could see the amount of debris on the wall behind the rear wheel you would deffo appreciate that a normal road tyre would be an expensive exercise.

 

[Steve H]

Personally I think this comes down to volume. I ride mainly on the road, with the occasional turbo session and therefore I've never felt the need to have a separate wheel or change of tyre. However if I was going to do a lot of turbo sessions regularly throughout the year, I'd definitely want to run a separate wheel. Turbos do wear road tyres faster than road riding, but like I say, you are only really going to notice the difference if you are doing a reasonably high volume of turbo work.

 

[screenman]

I have a turbo specific bike does that count.

 

[Chris.IOW]

I've always used a turbo tyre, not sure how necessary it is, but I'm doing quite a bit on the turbo so didn't want to risk wearing out my road tyres. Looking at upgrading the wheels now so will use the current wheel as a turbo one to save changing the tyre over.

 

[jay clock]

+1 for dedicated wheel with turbo tyre and cassette. Total cost about£75 and can change in 30 secs. If the tyre ever dies I will just use an old road tyre