Cycle Ops Trainer Fluid Leak Fix
 

Hello to All,
Just a quick post to share how to fix an oil /fluid leak on a Fluid style trainer...in my case a 2003 ish Cycle Ops Trainer....well used. Last year it developed a fluid leak coming from the shaft area..maybe a seal
My fix.......the fluid is a hydraulic fluid...I went to an automotive supply store...Canadian Tire Store .....and purchased a product called "Rislone Jack Oil with Stop Leak" . Its a 370 ml bottle containing a yellowy oil/fluid.
I removed the an Hex bolt from the bottom area of the fluid trainer ....squirted in about 3 oz or so....I guessed on the amount and screwed the bolt back in. I hopped on the trainer and immediately noticed an increase in the resistance ....I didn't realize it was that low in fluid..............I had a spin for about a hour....checked for leaks.......It seemed to fix it for now!

Bottom line....What did I have to loose?...............$6 for a container of Oil vs $1799 for a new Kickr Smart Trainer

I went from a perfectly good CycleOps fluid trainer to a Kickr Core and never looked back. It is a different experience.

I agree! We bought one that my wife uses.....I use the Not so smart trainer .....so we can Zwift together.....until we can trainer outdoors

thank you for advice!

wally
Niagara Falls Canada

I don't know if it was here on BF or where it was but I read somewhere that the actual oil used in fluid trainers (Kinetic or Saris...) is specific, although common. It may not really matter to the OP who might be looking for something that simply works vs. getting the exact intended performance which might matter on a platform such as Zwift to get the power numbers correct.

A very good point.

my point of view is very simple. It’s winter....too cold to ride outside.....COVID shut down our gyms.....so it’s the indoor trainer.

Zwift is just a computer interactive computer game which we get to virtually meet up with others while we get some saddle time.

the power meter on the crank and your heart rate numbers don’t lie....if you work....the numbers are high...if you slack off..they are low....you set your threshold. The trainer doesn’t help with the numbers.......but data doping does.....lots of sand baggers on Zwift!

the type of oil....if it stops my leak...which it looks like it did .....and saves me some coins for some other toys........looks like I accomplished my purpose.

That's a good tip!

I Have a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and their fluid resistance unit is warranted for life; I though CycleOps did the same. May be just for the original owner, though.

CycleOps replaced my unit after I don't know how many years I had it.