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Gentlemen (and ladies), un-clamp your trainer.

I'm sure all of you know better, as do I, but consider this a friendly mid-winter reminder to not leave your bike tire clamped into your trainer, as it can give you flat spots. Forgetting to un-clamp can suck. A lot.


Not that I have personal experience with this problem.


Not that I had a dream and woke up realizing I left my bike clamped for a week.


Dammit.


robjdlc
2010-01-31 21:17:55

so what happened?


erok
2010-02-05 14:04:13

I admit, I know nothing of flat spots caused by trainers. I'm a relatively new rider (2 seasons), and I've been using a trainer to keep my legs in shape. So what can you tell m eabout the hazards of flat spots?


I usually ride the trainer 3 times/week and I've never unclamped. Have I been abusing my back tire? Or my axle?


danodirect-axis-net
2010-02-06 01:13:41

The flat spots will wear out faster, leading to a flat on the road. (or the trainer, perhaps)


Trainers eat tires. It's just life. If you can get a wheel that is trainer only get the cheapest tire you can. If you can't do that get a reasonably cheap tire (Vittoria Zaffiro) and just keep an eye on it.


You've not been doing damage to the axle (I assume you mean quick release?) but again get a cheap one. If nothing else cheap ones clamp better.


mayhew
2010-02-06 01:53:49

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!


danodirect-axis-net
2010-02-06 20:46:44

Maybe that's why all of my flats last year were on the back tire? I just thought it was my fat ass putting more weight on the rear wheel, but I routinly "store" my bike on my trainer. I guess I'll stop this practice immediately. Thanks.


marko82
2010-02-07 16:20:04

but I routinly "store" my bike on my trainer. I guess I'll stop this practice immediately


Just make sure the roller isn't up against the tire and you can store your bike there no problem. (The wheel should spin freely).


I've got a 700 x 25 Conti Gatorskin as my trainer tire, and it's nearly square across the back at this point from riding the trainer. A friend of mine has a Conti yellow/orange trainer tire, it's sheds little pieces of rubber that look like eraser leavings...


jeffinpgh
2010-02-08 18:47:24