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Trainer Tires

Marvin KarlowMarvin Karlow
in General Training Discussions

Coach R started a thread on Racing Tires.  I didn't want to take that off topic but someone mentioned Trainer Tires and I had some questions:

Are there any tires that cannot be used on a trainer?

OTHER than tire wear, is there any reason NOT to ride regular tires on the trainer?

Any other tire considerations for "riding" the trainer (e.g., rear tire pressure)?

Comments

  • John SchneiderJohn Schneider
    After my last race last year I left my evo corso tire on my rear wheel and use a Real Axiom Trainer - flywheel type that pushes up against the wheel. After a while the tread became unglued on the sides, guessing from the heat generated from the pressure so I wouldn't recommend using that type of tire on a trainer.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    For years, I routinely used a standard tire (Conti 4000 s or equivalent) on my bike year round, for training, racing, and on the trainer. I would put a new tire on prior to my first IM of the year. I have twice had a flat tire from trainer use; each time was related to improper (over or under) inflation.

    Some tire related considerations for using a trainer:

    • I kept (I use a Kickr now, so no more rear wheel) a pump by the trainer, and would check inflation at least every other ride.
    • I would do the recommended warm-up and calibration for my trainer (CompuTrainer) each ride.
    • I release the tension after every ride, to prevent getting "flat spot" in the tire

    There are trainer specific tires on the market, I've tried one, and see no difference in the feel on the trainer.Some people go so far as to have a separate wheel for trainer use. (or even a separate bike!) But none of that is *necessary*.

  • ezellrhezellrh
    @Marvin, I know your question specifically said, "Besides wear", however, my response will cover multiple different 'wear' issues. Sorry if it doesn't get to your point image

    - Like most here, long time trainer user. For the first 10+ years or so of trainer use, I would use a 'old' road tire for trainer work. I would typically see the following:
    a. Lots of rubber debris that would need to cleaned up weekly, if not more
    b. Tire deformation (flatten in the middle of the tread) for the trainer tire. Not sure the validity of this following concern; however, my non-scientific mind wonders if this deformation affects the power transfer / consistency of power readings over time as the tire continues to change shape.
    c. Significant heat build up in the trainer head.

    - About 5 years ago, due to all of the above issues, I switched to a trainer specific tire (Vittoria 'red' option, don't know the specific name). Immediately, issues a. and b. stopped completely and c. lessened greatly. In my experience, these tires last a long, long time (I've only bought two in that five year period and the one I have now has absolutely no issues). So the me, the benefit of buying/using a specific trainer tire was not one of wear on the tire, it was all the ancillary things (issues a-c) that improved due to using a specifically made trainer tire.
  • Jan SchorpionJan Schorpion

    I use the same red Vittoria tire Roy mentioned. Have been using it for 5 years and no issues with it. I do have a seperate wheel I use on the trainer to prevent wear on my road tire. 

  • Marvin KarlowMarvin Karlow
    OK ... I ride a Vittoria Diamante Pro Radiale rear tire on my training wheels (obviously have things to learn from the Race Tire thread to apply to my Zipps).

    I have no issues with
    - tire wear
    - rubber dust
    - heat
    riding that tire on a Cyclops Fluid Pro trainer.

    I suspect that the respondents above have MUCH higher FTPs than mine, and that those issues increase with FTP. For me, it is not worth the hassle of having a separate wheel/tire for the trainer. On the other hand, if I was producing rubber dust, my wife would require it image . So, I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing and look forward to the day when I have an FTP that creates rubber dust and tire wear on the trainer.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    I am on my third trainer specific tire. Further, I have a dedicated trainer wheel I bought off Performance Bike. I train indoors year round except weekends and get about 3 years from a trainer tire. Having a dedicated wheel means I only have to change them when they are worn out.
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady
    I have always just used an older tire that I'm not comfortable riding outdoors with anymore.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I've had an orange Continental tire on a spare wheel for at least 5+ years. I've blown one tube in that period of time.

    It's no longer fully-orange, there's a black flat part right down the middle of the tire now. And, initially, there was orange powder/shreds all over my floor when I first started using it, but that hasn't been the case for years now.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Trainer Tire One - Conti orange trainer - Lasted 3+ years. Had a tube blow out that actually tore the sidewall of the tire ... proud of that!
    Trainer Tire Two - Vittoria red trainer - Lasted 3+ years. Heat damage was causing the main tire bead to crack and crumble. Remaining surfaces were glassing up and the tire was losing grip and slipping on hard efforts.
    Trainer Tire Three - Conti black trainer - Less than 1 year old. Zero crumbling and good traction. Hopefully, my powerbeam pro will fail before the trainer tire then I will get a Kickr!
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