{"id":56000,"date":"2023-11-03T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=614105"},"modified":"2023-11-03T17:46:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T16:46:07","slug":"can-a-turbo-trainer-damage-a-carbon-frame-how-to-look-after-your-bike-when-riding-indoors","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/can-a-turbo-trainer-damage-a-carbon-frame-how-to-look-after-your-bike-when-riding-indoors\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a turbo trainer damage a carbon frame? How to look after your bike when riding indoors"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s not just hard on you, using the turbo trainer can hurt your bike too <\/p>

By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 03 November 2023 at 15:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

If you\u2019ve taken to indoor training in recent years, you\u2019re not alone. More and more riders are moving indoors for quality training time on a smart trainer away from traffic and bad weather.<\/p>\n

You and your bike won\u2019t get covered in road or trail filth. But Will Smith, a mechanic at Havebike bike repair shop, says your bike will still be subject to wear and tear.<\/p>\n

Here are four reasons why you need to look after your bike, even if you\u2019re cycling indoors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. Sweat isn\u2019t good for your bike<\/h2>\n
\"Wahoo\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Even with a fan cooling you, you\u2019ll need to keep sweat off your bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Even in a cold garage and with a gale-force fan blowing on you during a session, or with your windows wide open, you\u2019ll get hot and sweaty.<\/p>\n

That sweat can find its way into expensive parts and the salt that it contains can corrode them over time.<\/p>\n

Smith says it\u2019s very easy for sweat to find its way into headset<\/a> bearings, shift levers and bar tape<\/a>, and it can also cause metal cable guides to seize to the frame.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a few examples recently where levers and bars have corroded to such an extent, they needed totally replacing,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\"Wahoo\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Exposing expensive components to sweat is not a good idea.<\/span><\/figcaption> Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

He advocates placing a towel over your bars to collect the sweat; you can also buy \u2018bike bras\u2019 to cover the top of the bike, and frame protector sprays, but there\u2019s still a risk to bar tape and shifters.<\/p>\n

Other turbo trainer accessories<\/a>, such as a cap, can also reduce how much sweat drips off you.<\/p>\n

As with riding outside, you still need to keep your bike clean<\/a> and dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn an ideal world you would wash your bike after every session, but this isn\u2019t practical for many so if you can do it after every third session, this should stop the build-up,\u201d says Smith.<\/p>\n

2. A turbo could damage your frame<\/h2>\n
\"Wahoo\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Full-gas efforts could be putting unexpected stress on your frame. If you\u2019re concerned, check your bike manufacturer\u2019s warranty.<\/span><\/figcaption> Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

When you\u2019re putting in a big effort, particularly out of the saddle, it\u2019s natural to swing your weight from side to side.<\/p>\n

And the relative safety of doing all-out efforts on the turbo, compared to on the road in the midst of cars, is one of the benefits of indoor cycling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some trainers, such as the Wahoo Kickr Move<\/a>, allow side-to-side motion. But if your bike is held rigidly in the trainer, you\u2019re putting side loads on your frame, bottom bracket<\/a>, seatstays and chainstays that they weren\u2019t necessarily designed for.<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on the trainer type and use, it may potentially apply unusual forces on your bicycle, wear parts and\/or weaken or damage your bicycle,\u201d reads an addendum to Specialized\u2019s owner\u2019s manual on trainer use.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is especially true for carbon fibre bicycles rigidly attached to the trainer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Scott\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
On the turbo, you can\u2019t throw the bike from side to side as much as you can outdoors.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Smith says normal seated efforts shouldn\u2019t be a problem, but issues a word of caution over more vigorous efforts. \u201cOut of the saddle, the bike won\u2019t move from side to side as it does on the road, so that energy has got to go somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless, it\u2019s worth checking whether your bike brand\u2019s guarantee will cover damage specifically caused by using your bike on an indoor trainer.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil recently some of the very big brands said in their T&Cs that warranties were invalidated if you were using your bike on a turbo or any type of mounting,\u201d says Smith.<\/p>\n

With the massive increase in the number of riders taking to the indoor trainer, that position has started to change, with some bike makers now building and testing their frames so that they can cope with use in a smart trainer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"VIKERSUND,\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
If you own multiple bikes, it could be best to spare your best one from the turbo trainer.<\/span><\/figcaption> Luc Claessen\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Specialized has tested and certified all model year 2020 (and onwards) road bikes for trainer use, though the brand\u2019s other bikes, and those road bikes prior to MY2020, are \u201cused on trainers at your own risk\u201d.<\/p>\n

The brand does, however, suggest riders \u201cconsider using an old bike with a metal frame and components you are not using on the road\u201d.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, since 2019, Canyon has provided a list of models approved for use on turbo trainers<\/a> \u2013 as well as those models that are explicitly not compatible with specific turbo trainers.<\/p>\n

The brand has also issued guidelines for trainer use. For example, its electric bikes<\/a> are not approved for use and Canyon bikes with thru-axles are only approved for use with direct-drive trainers.<\/p>\n

The bottom line, however, is to check any brand guidelines and your warranty before you clamp your \u00a310,000 bike to your trainer for a flat-out interval training<\/a> session.<\/p>\n

3. You can damage your components<\/h2>\n
\"Zwift\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The cassette on a direct-drive smart trainer should be compatible with your rear derailleur.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you mount your bike using a skewer, make sure you use the one that\u2019s specific to your trainer; a skewer from a wheel may not hold your bike securely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorst case scenario could result in the bike slipping and falling out of the turbo,\u201d says Smith.<\/p>\n

Take particular care when mounting your bike on a trainer. Ensure that the frame is securely attached via the quick-release or thru-axle, and that no other part of the trainer and bike are in contact with one another.<\/p>\n

\"Wahoo\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Don\u2019t clamp your bike too tightly on to the trainer.<\/span><\/figcaption> Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cAlso, be careful to avoid clamping the bike too tightly,\u201d he continues. \u201cIt\u2019s human nature to tighten it up as much as possible but this can result in crushed bearings, a damaged freehub<\/a> or ultimately a damaged or even cracked frame<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re riding a direct-drive trainer, Smith also says you should use a cassette<\/a> that doesn\u2019t exceed the capacity of your\u00a0rear derailleur<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Smith is less concerned with damage to the front wheel from it sitting static on the floor or in a riser block.<\/p>\n

He advises keeping your tyres pumped up<\/a> and rotating the front wheel occasionally, so the pressure isn\u2019t always in one place. It\u2019s a good idea to check that riding in one spot hasn\u2019t affected spoke tension and wheel truing as well.<\/p>\n

4. You still need to check for wear<\/h2>\n
\"BAR-SUR-AUBE,\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
On a wheel-on turbo trainer, your rear tyre can wear quickly.<\/span><\/figcaption> Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Keep your drivetrain clean and lubricated<\/a>. Sweat may end up on your chain and you may also be putting high loads through it during high-intensity workouts.<\/p>\n

Smith also points out that you\u2019re not coasting or freewheeling on a descent often on a turbo, so your gears are turning for longer than on a comparable-length ride \u2013 great for your fitness, but possibly leading to more wear and tear than you think.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may see some higher-than-normal wear rates on the drivetrain<\/a>, so check chains and cassettes for wear<\/a>,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re using a wheel-on trainer, rather than a direct-drive smart trainer, fit a turbo trainer tyre at the rear. Turbo-specific tyres are made from a tougher compound capable of standing up to more wear and tear.<\/p>\n

\u201cOtherwise, your nice new fast rubber will be a squared-off mess with a polished surface in no time,\u201d he says. \u201cThat outdoor ride you\u2019ve been training for could be a disappointment as the rear wheel slips from under you on every corner or you puncture more easily.\u201d<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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