lately when i’m on my trainer i’m smelling what seems to be burnt rubber and it seems to be coming from my tires. is this normal? any thoughts on how to avoid this?
Yes, this normal. After a while you will also see the tire debris on the floor under your trainer. The only option is to just mount a tire that you don’t really care about, or one of the tires made just for use on a trainer. Neither eliminates the smell and wear, but it keeps you from wearing out a potentially expensive tire.
Paul
thanks! i appreciate it!
The tires I use on the trainer are now square and the wall behind it is black with rubber residue (although it cleans off easily). Totally normal.
thanks! i unfortunately was using my nicer tires on my bike with the trainer and now the back one looks like it is going to have to be replaced! 
do you get used to the smell after awhile?
Yes, but I never got used to riding my bike for hours and not going anywhere. Seriously, trainers are too boring for me and I rarely use mine anymore. I usually just bundle up and hop on my 'cross bike and ride outside (last night was an awesome, muddy affair). I also do a number of spin classes (the benefit of those can, and has been, debated), but usually, If it’s really cold I stay home and drink beer.
Do check that you’re tightening the roller onto the tire tightly enough (probably a good couple of turns, depending on trainer) and keep the rear tire inflated properly or the excess slippage will accelerate wear and cause more burning smell, flying rubber etc.
As Lazy Ben said, make sure your roller is tightened up snug against your wheel properly. Slippage of the tire against the roller causes excess tire wear.
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i still haven’t gotten used to cold weather riding…i’m a total wimp about the cold! maybe next year i’ll try to suck it up a bit more!
cool, thanks! will check that out next time i’m on the trainer
lately when i’m on my trainer i’m smelling what seems to be burnt rubber and it seems to be coming from my tires. is this normal? any thoughts on how to avoid this?
That happened to me once with one of those elastogel rollers. I may have had it overtightened.
If you tighten it too much, there will be too much friction and the resistance will not be smooth. I actually like to use high quality smooth tires such as Vredestein Fortezzas on my trainer. If they wear out, I get a new pair. Relatively inexpensive compared to other gadgets and devices you can spend your mone on.
thanks, i guess i have to play around with the tightness of my trainer and just get over the smell.
If you are using a wheel specifically dedicated to the trainer, you might want to consider purchasing a trainer specific tire like the Continental Ultra Sport Training Tire (http://www.cbike.com/continental_tires.htm) or the Tacx Trainer Tire (http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB=‘1772-23’). I got a Tacx Trainer tire for use on the Tacx Fortius last month and the first thing I noticed was that not only does the trainer tire run much, much quieter on both the Tacx and the trainer I take to road races, but after 20-hours of use on thr trainer, the tire still looks brand new with not residue on the wall behind the trainer.
i’ll check those out! thanks!
If you are using a wheel specifically dedicated to the trainer, you might want to consider purchasing a trainer specific tire like the Continental Ultra Sport Training Tire (http://www.cbike.com/continental_tires.htm) or the Tacx Trainer Tire (http://www.lickbike.com/...RT_NUM_SUB=‘1772-23’). I got a Tacx Trainer tire for use on the Tacx Fortius last month and the first thing I noticed was that not only does the trainer tire run much, much quieter on both the Tacx and the trainer I take to road races, but after 20-hours of use on thr trainer, the tire still looks brand new with not residue on the wall behind the trainer.
I tried the continental and I didn’t like it. It may have been a defective tire, but it was lopsided and did not spin symmmetrically. I haven’t tried the Tacx, but the Vredestein’s are working so well for me, that I don’t see the need to change at this point.