So I got a the great deal on the Kurt Kinetic trainer from Bikesportmichigan, and I really like it. I tried the free spinervals technique dvd with it to see what it was like (I’ll try anything once). After the half hour, I popped in the 2005 opening individual time trial of the tour de france (the one where Lance passes Jan). The pedalling was so easy, I decided to race.
After 11.8 miles (19k) I had averaged 30.2 miles per hour. I’m definitely not even close to that fast. If I was time-trialing with race wheels, I might have gone 24 mph before passing out.
Is the trainer really that much easier than riding on the road, or am I doing something wrong in setting up the tension? The wheel is touching the medal, and there is no slippage, bu I have a feeling that I didn’t all of a sudden get faster than Lance Armstrong in one day.
To properly tension, bring the wheel into contact with the tire (just touching) then do 2 full turns. After riding, back off 2 full turns, and reset (2 full turns) before next ride. Make sure tires are properly inflated (I think they recomend 110 psi).
You should not leave the trainer tensioned when not in use. My understanding is for 2 reasons. The main concern is you will flat spot your tire at the point you leave it in contact at. 2 and less of worry, leaving it tensioned, leaves stress on the tensioner spring, and plate which could/will wear them out faster.
I think the 1st reason is a much bigger issue than the second.
You should not leave the trainer tensioned when not in use. My understanding is for 2 reasons. The main concern is you will flat spot your tire at the point you leave it in contact at. 2 and less of worry, leaving it tensioned, leaves stress on the tensioner spring, and plate which could/will wear them out faster.
I think the 1st reason is a much bigger issue than the second.
Flat-spot a rubber bicycle tire?! If that doesn’t happen to car tires with metal belts I doubt very seriously that you can do that to a bicycle tire. Additionally, there is no spring. Considering how little tension there is on the plate, I doubt that’s a concern either.
Another consideration is that trainers can wear your tire more quickly than road so if you do not keep them tensioned you cause the tire wear to happen faster, which makes them even more loose thus more wear, etc. Bad spiral… In extreme examples you can actually see black ‘flakes’ of tire on and around the drum. The ‘squeak’ is the tire slipping.
that seems crazy. on our computrainer, i notice huge differences (several turns worth) of difference when setting up a given work load but using different tires. how can there be a single set of non-metered instructions to get tension correct?
The main concern is you will flat spot your tire at the point you leave it in contact at. 2 and less of worry, leaving it tensioned, leaves stress on the tensioner spring, and plate which could/will wear them out faster.
the issue is not the tire, but the rim of the wheel itself. if you leave it on the trainer with full tension you will generate a dead spot in the rim by affecting the roundness. it only takes a couple of seconds to screw the roller in/out, so it’s not a big deal.
Your tire circumference in the computer is probably wrong. Take your tire off, follow the directions and check it. It will make a huge difference…
How can the circumference of my tires be correct on the road and wrong on the trainer with the same tire and same computer?
I may need to inflate the tire more. I’m just wondering if anyone else has found these trainers to be easier than riding on the road. One solution I had thought of was that wind resistance was taken out of the equation completely. The times may be accurate in conditions with absolutely no wind resistance. I’ll check the tension, and try it again.
Is there a web site or document available that shows this power curve? I’ve love to be able to enter my weight and watts to see what my approximate speed would be (or vice versa.)
The power curve states that at 30 mph you should be pushing somewhere around 700 watts…
I have heard the same thing (release the tension after each ride) and been told the same thing by bike shops. It will create a bald spot and contribute to tire slippage.