For those of you who use fluid trainers, I am wondering how you set the tension to best approximate the resistance you get on the road? Or put differently, how do you set the tension so that you can ride with the same output on the trainer and sustain the same mph as you would on the road? Is it all guesswork? Or is there a better way to do it?
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Re: Setting proper tension on fluid trainers [rundhc]
[ In reply to ]
i second this question
Re: Setting proper tension on fluid trainers [rundhc]
[ In reply to ]
I've never seen a guideling from Cycleops for set-up, but this is what Tacx recommends, so give it a try...
tire pressure 100psi at all times.
move flywheel towards tire till it is just touching(feathering) the tire. From this point, three full turns of the dial to put pressure on the tire.
This should be done before every ride. Try it and let me know how it goes.
Ian MacLean
http://www.imfit.ca
Success comes when fear of failure goes
tire pressure 100psi at all times.
move flywheel towards tire till it is just touching(feathering) the tire. From this point, three full turns of the dial to put pressure on the tire.
This should be done before every ride. Try it and let me know how it goes.
Ian MacLean
http://www.imfit.ca
Success comes when fear of failure goes
Re: Setting proper tension on fluid trainers [rundhc]
[ In reply to ]
Do you mean magnetic trainers? I have a Cycleops2 fluid trainer and there is no adjustment on it or any other fluid trainer that I am aware of other than using your gears. As has been discussed recentley here I find the Cycleops resistance much harder than the road. I don't have a PT or any other power output measuring device so all of my workouts are based on HR.
Re: Setting proper tension on fluid trainers [rundhc]
[ In reply to ]
I'm riding the Cyclops Fluid 2 and wonder the same thing. The resistance is stupidly strong. Is there a way to just drain some fluid out of the unit?
Re: Setting proper tension on fluid trainers [Ian MacLean]
[ In reply to ]
I have a Kurt Kinetic trainer, and they recommend two full turns. From what I can tell, this level of tension creates far more tension than the road would -- the bigger gears are much harder to push than they would be on the road. That's what prompted me to ask the question. Thanks for your reply.
Open it up?
[ In reply to ]
There is a 4mm allen bolt in my resistence unit that's pretty snug right now. Anybody know what will happen if I take it out?
Re: Setting proper tension on fluid trainers [Ian MacLean]
[ In reply to ]
From cycleops...
http://www.cycleops.com/...l%20Version-lres.pdf
"Attaching your bike.
A) Tighten the resistance unit adjustment knob. Once the roller is in contact with the tire turn knob 2-2 1/2 rotations. Tighten more if tire slides.
B) Make sure tires are inflated to proper pressure... "
http://www.cycleops.com/...l%20Version-lres.pdf
"Attaching your bike.
A) Tighten the resistance unit adjustment knob. Once the roller is in contact with the tire turn knob 2-2 1/2 rotations. Tighten more if tire slides.
B) Make sure tires are inflated to proper pressure... "
Re: Setting proper tension on fluid trainers [rundhc]
[ In reply to ]
I grip the tire with my right hand over the top, and jerk it forward and backward while adjusting the tension knob. I stop tightening when the wheel/tire does not skip/slide on the resistance unit. You have to get a feel for it after a few times. When you get on the bike, if quick acceleration results in a "skip/skid" feeling, it needs to be a little tighter. By going back and forth that way a few times, you will get the feel.
Good question. I just started using my new trainer (Minoura 850) so I am interested in how people set theirs up and measure effort, etc.
The setup for mine is to turn the knob until it presses 2mm into the tire. Seems about right: I am still messing with it. For now, when I ride in the 42-13 gear (or so) I have an average hr of 135 and a cadence of 75-80. When I ride in an easier gear, say 42-21, with a hr of 135, my cadence is closer to 100. This seems fine (ie- the right amount of resistence) ... Any other ideas for setting it up and measuring effort? Thanks -TB
The setup for mine is to turn the knob until it presses 2mm into the tire. Seems about right: I am still messing with it. For now, when I ride in the 42-13 gear (or so) I have an average hr of 135 and a cadence of 75-80. When I ride in an easier gear, say 42-21, with a hr of 135, my cadence is closer to 100. This seems fine (ie- the right amount of resistence) ... Any other ideas for setting it up and measuring effort? Thanks -TB