Trainer == melted tires!

Triathlon Forum
1

I rode my trainer this morning. It was the first time in about 8 months that I rode it and only the 3rd time that I’ve ever been on it. Since the last time I rode it, I changed my tires to be Conti Gatorskins. Well, my hour ride on the trainer this morning melted my tires. There is this nice black, gooey part on my tire from where the tire was contacting the trainer. THere is also icky melted tire on the trainer. This sucks! How can I get rid of this or prevent it from happening again?

Also, I’m thinking about selling my trainer. I don’t use it much so it is about $200 worth of equipment sitting in the garage that I barely use.

Thanks.

2

sounds like the tension was too tight. New tires might be a different diameter than the old if you didn’t adjust the tension it would do that.

3

Well, I tightened the drum up until it touched the tire barely. Then, I gave it a quarter turn to add some resistance. Was that too much?

4

Conti is now making a trainer specific tire that is supposed to have very high wear characteristics. Can’t remember the model but it’s orange in color.

5

That’s normal to get the black streak. Change to the Conti Trainer tire. Works greak, no streak. Yes it will cost you a bit of money to ride inside, but you will still be riding.

6

i had the same thing happen… bought a cheapo tire, and yeah, there’s a black line of rubber on the trainer.

for now, i’m not concerned about it, i don’t plan to ever use that tire outdoors… i don’t think i’m damaging the trainer so long as i get the stuff off every once in a while.

7

Not tight enuf. You had slippage 'tween the tire and drum. Read your manufactuers directions for tightening protocol. Absent that, try this: clean tire and drum with isopropyl alk; tighten drum to tire and test tightness by holding the drums flywheel (do not let the drum turn); Then pull on the wheel with your other hand. If it easily slips, tighten 1/4-1/2 turn and repeat. Stop when it takes a decent pull to make the tire slip on the drum. Decent does not mean it takes the strength of two men and a boy to cause slippage. Use your judgement on this.