I have been using the “I’ve got a new child” excuse for not training lately. However, I do have a bike trainer so I’m really just blowing smoke up my own ass.
One thing I hate about it is that my back tires get absolutely shredded after a couple months of heavy use.
Is there a favored trainer specific tire that is preferred by ST’ers? Tacx? Vittoria? Conti?
Are these things bomb proof?
The one and only trainer tire. End. Of. Discussion.
Some of those tires that are out of favor because of high rolling resistance work really well on the trainer. You want resistance right? My Kenda Koncept has done over 1000 trainer miles without complaint.
With the recommended Continental Ultra Tire, I can get two full off-seasons with the tire on my Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer.
2 winters of moderate to heavy use, 8 hours/week this past winter, on my Conti trainer tire.
I usually use up my old road tires on the trainer and then switch over to the Conti Trainer Tire. An old road tire lasts about 20 rides, but that Trainer Tire just keeps on going and going. Well worth the investment.
I have like 2000 miles on mine in the past 9 months and the tread looks brand new with the exception of the black marks.
I usually use up my old road tires on the trainer and then switch over to the Conti Trainer Tire. An old road tire lasts about 20 rides, but that Trainer Tire just keeps on going and going. Well worth the investment.
x2. Old Vittoria 290s/320s off my road and tri bike (I change my tires too often) first, then a trainer tire.
Buy the conti. Ride the crap out of it.
Put it in your will for your kid.
Win Win.
Brad
What are you guys doing to these tires?
I just use my old PR3’s and never get any shredding or anything like that. They do get some flat spots but seem to work just fine.
Bought a continental Gator skin last November, rode indoors 8 hours, outdoor 2.5 hours per week all winter long, then about 5 hours per week indoors, 4 outdoors since March. Replaced the gatorskin 2 weeks ago, due to operator error when replacing a tube (after first pinch flat with GS after 6 months). Tire was due for a changing, even though I accelerated it by my goof up.
So, estimate 6 months at 6.5 hrs per week indoors (Kurt Kinetic), 18 mph, and it has lasted 2800 hours on the trainer, and 1000 hours outdoors.
Don’t know if that is the best use of a $30+ tire or not, but pretty good I think.
regards,
r.b.
+1 on the Gatorskin. While the Conti Trainer Tire is quiter and probably lasts longer, it isn’t recommended for outside use. With the Gatorskin, I just pull the bike off the trainer and go.
Have used Conti tires as well as Michelin. In my experience, Conti tires outperform Michelin. I buy the heaviest Conti tire in 23-28 diameter in 700C that is on sale. Conti Gator skins are worth the $.
I actually just put electrical tape on tire so that it is the tape and not the tire that comes into contact with the trainer. You can get like 10 rolls of electrical tape at Home Depot, which is much cheaper than new tires and works just fine.
I have both the Conti and Vittoria trainer tires (separate cheap/old trainer wheels each for road and TT/Tri bike since they don’t have compatible cassette types)… The Vittoria is softer; squeals less and feels a tad smoother but leaves some kind of gummy residue on the roller after a bit. Conti squeals more but doesn’t leave any gunk on the roller. If/when the Vittoria wears out or I get fed up cleaning the gunk off the roller, I’d get another Conti.
hmmm, yeah I too am wondering what you guys do to your tires on the the trainer. Perhaps I’m not riding mine as much as ya’ll, but I just crank the hell out of the flywheel thingie until I can turn it anymore, then I try and turn it a few more times…
I haven’t had any issues… I think it’s the slipping maybe that causes the issues? I could be wrong and again maybe I just don’t ride mine as much as everyone else…
I definitely agree on slipping being the issue that destroys tires on a trainer. I really crank down the knob on my Kurt Kinetic to make sure there is no slippage at all. Slipping is what causes the tire to heat up, melt, and ultimately be destroyed. I’m going on 2800 trainer miles on a plain old $20 continental ultra race tire. If used properly they should last forever on the trainer.
Trying to decide if I need a new trainer tire. I had an orange Conti tire on my trainer for 3 seasons until I actually blew out the sidewall from heat or possibly a defect in it. I’ve been using the red Vittoria trainer tire for the last 4 years (except for weekends, I ride indoors year round) and it has started to slip a lot even when I crank the roller down. The center bead of the tire is cracking, crumbling and shedding more particles than ever before. I have mine mounted on a dedicated trainer wheel that I use regardless of what bike I put on the trainer. I guess it’s time to buy a new one, but I’m wondering what other folks consider tire failure on the Vittoria.
+1 on the Gatorskin. While the Conti Trainer Tire is quiter and probably lasts longer, it isn’t recommended for outside use. With the Gatorskin, I just pull the bike off the trainer and go.
Exactly what I’ve done all last season. Still on the same tire with probably 5000 miles or more on it.
I actually found a 25mm Gatorskin to be quieter than my conti trainer.
Along with your trainer specific tire, get the cheapest rear wheel you can find and a second cassette. Having a dedicated trainer wheel makes life so much easier.
My last trainer tire (Conti) lasted so long I can’t remember when I bought it. At least 6 years.