Road Cycling Essentials

janp · 9 Dec 2014 at 19:20

After some advice on the turbo, and turbo specific tyres.

I brought a turbo trainer tyre from Halfords (I know but it was pretty cheap!). I've installed it tonight on my back wheel. Bear in mind the puncture fairies have been kind to me, so this is the first time I've actually taken the back wheel off / changed a tyre.

Anywho, all gone well, nothing went bang. But I've put the bike on the turbo, and it doesn't feel right. If I pedal hard, the back wheel spins like a car wheel spinning. On inspection of the turbo roller, it's now covered in tyre. Could I have done something wrong, or is it just a cheap nasty tyre?

ShiWarrior · 9 Dec 2014 at 19:21

6thElement said:
Yeah, the longer neck version is my cold weather one, it's toasty.

just looked at my two links again, one is different (has a longer neck)
not sure what im getting from sports direct, hope its the longer neck one, but not too bothered

FrenchTart · 9 Dec 2014 at 20:05

@janp

Have you tightened the tyre properly?

janp · 9 Dec 2014 at 20:06

FrenchTart said:
@janp

Have you tightened the tyre properly?

I think so, but as I say I'm a bit of noob with bike mechanics. Is there a way to be sure?

FrenchTart · 9 Dec 2014 at 20:12

janp said:
I think so, but as I say I'm a bit of noob with bike mechanics. Is there a way to be sure?

Tighten it so that the wheel is touching the roller part of the turbo and then tighten it three complete turns. That might not be the best method for all turbo trainers but it seems to work well for a 100+ psi tyre and a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.

If you get squealing and the wheel feels like it's moving almost too quickly at times then the likelihood is that it isn't tight enough at least.

Jimbeam3678 · 9 Dec 2014 at 20:15

Just picked up my new winter bike pleased with it so far after a quick ride on it after I picked it up.

Got 105 on it and DT swiss wheels. As a bonus local bike shop gave me a free trek bike fit to check my flexibility after my broken leg which I thought was top drawer.

janp · 9 Dec 2014 at 20:17

FrenchTart said:
Tighten it so that the wheel is touching the roller part of the turbo and then tighten it three complete turns. That might not be the best method for all turbo trainers but it seems to work well for a 100+ psi tyre and a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.

If you get squealing and the wheel feels like it's moving almost too quickly at times then the likelihood is that it isn't tight enough at least.

Ah so you dont think I've installed the new tyre incorrectly?

I did think about tightening the trainer, which I've tried. However, more of the tyre burns off if I do that. Should I get loads of tyre on the roller? It's a magnetic one i think. It didn't seem to happen on the standard tyre last week.

FrenchTart · 9 Dec 2014 at 20:31

I can't comment on a turbo tyre but a new tyre will generally "shed" a ton more than one that has been used a fair bit.

Vonhelmet · 9 Dec 2014 at 20:52

Even my turbo tyre drops crud all over the kitchen floor.

FrenchTart · 9 Dec 2014 at 21:08

My non-turbo tyre dropped tons of cack to start with but now it doesn't. I can't imagine it's *that* different for turbo tyres.

I think it was about 200 miles or so before the tyre stopped shedding so much.

Saytan · 9 Dec 2014 at 21:53

Jimbeam3678 said:
Just picked up my new winter bike pleased with it so far after a quick ride on it after I picked it up.

Got 105 on it and DT swiss wheels. As a bonus local bike shop gave me a free trek bike fit to check my flexibility after my broken leg which I thought was top drawer.

Superb choice. I have the cheaper T2 and it's a great bike

ShiWarrior · 9 Dec 2014 at 22:20

maybe I should have bought one of those Racelights bikes too instead of my CX bike, but never mind..

Vonhelmet · 9 Dec 2014 at 22:43

A winter bike with mudguards? You're doing it right.

Jimbeam3678 · 9 Dec 2014 at 22:51

Saytan said:
Superb choice. I have the cheaper T2 and it's a great bike

Cheers I did enough research on it!

Vonhelmet said:
A winter bike with mudguards? You're doing it right.

With hope of them helping to keep the bike cleanish...

How do people keep their drivetrain clean ? I've just bought one of those chain cleaning things with some degreaser.

As my old winter bike is a disgrace and I obviously don't want the same to happen to this one

Asprilla · 10 Dec 2014 at 00:33

Jimbeam3678 said:
How do people keep their drivetrain clean ? I've just bought one of those chain cleaning things with some degreaser.

Babywipes and wd40.

platypus · 10 Dec 2014 at 07:15

Paris to spend £90m on bike lanes and make most of the centre pedestrianised/residential transport and delivery vehicles only. Could be interesting.

Jimbeam3678 said:
How do people keep their drivetrain clean ? I've just bought one of those chain cleaning things with some degreaser.

I tend use a dab of muc off and to run a rag over it if it gets dirty after a particular outing to keep it clean on regular basis. Other than that I take the chain off once a month, soak it in white spirit and clean everything whilst its off with a toothbrush and hot water, and for particularly stubborn dirt I use hot water with lemon juice in it.

Then I regrease with weather appropriate lube.

FrenchTart · 10 Dec 2014 at 08:25

The rag thing for a quick after-ride wipe makes sense but it's far easier to just use a chain cleaning tool for your regular chain maintenance (as compared to taking it off, soaking it, etc).

Saytan · 10 Dec 2014 at 08:43

bit of degreaser and a rag, you don't want to get too deep inside the chain too often - it's very difficult to get lube back inside the rollers once you've rinsed it out

Berger · 10 Dec 2014 at 08:51

I clean mine with car brake cleaner. Quick and effective and it evaporates after.

Jimbeam3678 · 10 Dec 2014 at 08:59

Asprilla said:
Babywipes and wd40.

I'm getting the baby wipes as I use wonderwipes someone on here recommended them.

I'm assuming after you have cleaned you just spray WD40 in the general direction of jocky wheels etc?