I have the Kinetic Kurt Road Machine. I recently noticed what I at first thought to be grime/dust on/around my bike, but actually turns out are tiny little bits and pieces of rubber from my rear tire (looks like dust). The part of the tire that touches the rollers is literally flat.
Is this normal? And if so, how much use do you get out of your rear tire on the trainer before you replace it?
If it’s not normal, what kind of tire do you use? I have a Vittoria Rubino Pro.
My apologies if this is a dumb question, but it’s my first winter riding on a trainer.
Thanks!
It is normal after a lot of riding, which is why companies make trainer tires. It usually takes a few hundred miles of riding before the wheel gets flat like that though. If your trainer puts too much pressure on the tire, it could be wearing the tire prematurely. You want it so that the tire doesn’t slip, but not so tight that it is shredding the tire.
They have tires specifically for Trainers…the one i’ve seen is $40. Also, a LBS here in Dallas sells a package of wheel, casette, tube, and trainer tire for about $190. This way all you have to do is switch out the wheel between outside riding and trainer. Might check your LBS if want to go that route.
I always had this same problem. This year i purchased one of the trainer tires and it works so much better. Its cleaner doesn’t shred and holds its grip even when putting alot of pressure on it.
Yes, a trainer will wear out a rear tire rather quickly under any circumstances.
No, you shouldn’t see a big pile of rubber dust on the floor after your first ride. If you’re seeing a lot of rubber dust or hearing a squeal when you apply hard pressure (like when you jump out of the saddle), then you don’t have enough pressure where the roller meets the tire. You should have enough pressure that, if you grab the wheel and give it a firm jerk, there’s no slippage of the tire against the roller. Most of the tire wear will come from slippage, not just from the pressure against the roller.
I have the opposite problem with my KK trainer. After riding for 1 hr the other day my conti gatorskins were coated with a thin layer of shiny aluminum from the roller. I’m slowly wearing away the roller. The tire seems fine though.
Great feedback. I had the same issue as the OP on my first trainer ride this year and ended up getting a new tire at the LBS. I have added some more pressure on the roller and so far so good. It completely shredded my first tire on one ride.
I was impressed for the first few rides but then it started coming apart too. I have about 200 miles on it and the contact point has been completely flattened. After I ride there are red bits all over my bike, in my chain and cassette, on my wall, on my back… The LBS said I probably had it pressed up against the drum too hard and that it should just barely make contact. Now I read on here that I should press it up harder. It has really turned me off to the trainer because of the mess it makes.
I’ve also noticed that if I run a tire that is low on air pressure it wears VERY quickly. Don’t forget to keep the tire pumped to approx what you run on the road.
+1 for running with enough tension on the trainer to prevent slippage.
From what I can tell, the shredding is caused by a combination of riding a non-trainer tire and having sub-optimal pressure on the flywheel. I’ll have to re-read the KK setup instructions, but I seem to recall that they recommend turning the knob two full turns once the tire hits the flywheel. I’m pretty sure I didn’t do that because I thought it was way too much. The fact that I can relate exactly to the squeaking referenced by one of the respondees when I try to stand up (my butt needs a break every once in a while…), I’m beginning to think that I don’t have enough pressure on the flywheel. Hopefully, this will change by addressing those two issues!
I have the Vittoria Zaffiro Trainer tire (Red one) and it definately leaves little bits of red around. But really it’s not big deal. They wipe right off and after the first few hours of riding it, the dusting of the red tire is barely noticeable anymore. I used the tire exclusively for training for Ironman and didn’t think it would last through the season. But it’s still going strong!
Btw I only put enough tension on the tire so that I can’t make the tire slip under hard accelerations. Put it in the granny gear on your bike and pedal very hard. If no squeaks or slipping, you’re good.
I have the Vittoria Zaffiro Trainer tire (Red one) and it definately leaves little bits of red around. But really it’s not big deal. They wipe right off and after the first few hours of riding it, the dusting of the red tire is barely noticeable anymore. I used the tire exclusively for training for Ironman and didn’t think it would last through the season. But it’s still going strong!
Btw I only put enough tension on the tire so that I can’t make the tire slip under hard accelerations. Put it in the granny gear on your bike and pedal very hard. If no squeaks or slipping, you’re good.
Yes!
The trainer tire is good and wears well however, it will shred a lot at first use. If one does not wish to go this route, I am sure old and used road tires can be picked up from a local bike shop for free.