Changing skewers for the trainer
 

Yep, I'm pretty clueless. I didn't even know the thing was called a skewer until I got the trainer. It looks like it'll be easy to switch out but I'm just checking before I start chasing ball bearings around my apt. All it takes is unwinding the current one, slipping it out, inserting the trainer's skewer and tightening?

The skewer only has like 4 parts... the axle, the nut on the right side and two springs. They only trick to changing a skewer is making sure those springs are small side facing inside. No worries... this is one of the easiest things on a bike to work on. No ball bearings.

You don't UNWIND skewers until you have opened the lever/cam first. Once it's opened then you can unwind it and the only items you need to catch are the two little springs. When your putting a skewer back in have the lever/cam in the open position and wind it on up to the point that when you go to close the cam it first meets resistance with the lever sticking straight out. Then close it and your set to go.

Regards, Anthony

Great, thanks! Does the new skewer need lubrication at all?

No it doesn't.

it's probably possible to use your current skewer for the trainer as well. i,for one, have not swapped out skewers - although if it didn't fit right i'd swap.

hmmm... Maybe I'll try that but in looking at other posts concerning skewers, they can become bent, though I wasn't clear on whether it was from regular road use or from being squeezed in trainers.

Some of the "aero" or open cam skewers don't fit well in the trainer attachment. That was the case with the skewers that came with my Rolfs. So I just switched in an old-school Ultegra skewer.

FWIW, Sheldon Brown thinks the older design is superior.

The trainer can also scratch your skewer ends so if that is something that concerns you, you may want to switch.

Ditto. I've also seen some that appear to have plastic rather than metal ends. I recommend metal in the trainer.

So there's no reason why I can't use my stock (105 I guess) skewers that came with my bike. I used to switch it out with the skewer that came with my CycleOps but it's a pain in the arse to do that everytime. The stock 105 skewer doesn't fit perfect in the notch like the trainer skewer but if I adjust it properly (not too tight nor too loose) it seems to hold ok and work fine.

I just use the skewer that came with my Cyclops and use it all the time. I am a bit anal and don't want to scratch up the good skewer that came with the wheel. I got a second one for my wife's bike for the same reason and she had the stock Specialized skewers.

Ditto here. I've also found the trainer included skewer makes the wheel fit much more snug in the trainer creating less "shake" in the rear triangle.

I'm shocked we have not mentioned getting a titanium skewer, so it won't bend. Whoops, I guess I just did :D. Actually, I usually get a cheap one from the LBS that will fit on the mounts. I also apply a small amount of grease on the centers. It may not be required, but it also has not hurt anything either.

I believe all the modern 105 skewers have plastic caps over metal on one end. The trainer will wear these out or break them eventually. That's one reason the trainer comes with an all metal skewer. Just leave the metal one on the bike all the time.

The cycleops skewer fits better than the bontrager on my trainer. It also is scratched up from trying. Takes only a second to change them out.

After a couple times it will only take you (literally) a minute to switch skewers. A tip - once you put a skewer on - either the original or the the trainer - pick up the bike by the seat and rotate the wheel to make sure that it is straight and doesn't rub against the brakes (like I did once with my wife's bike :eek: ).

My Cannondale R2000 skewers will not seat properly in the CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer.
So I must use the skewer which came with the trainer. This skewer does not lock as well as my Cannondale skewer. I need to apply more force. The cam action is different.
I am a big guy at 195 lb. 74" tall. The CycleOps is flexing and causing a metallic sound every crank revolution above 16 MPH. It is a side flexing caused by my force of pedaling. I guess that I am not just spinning. I have used clotheslines to tie the bike to the legs of the trainer and keep it from rocking. That helps but does not look elegant. Thinking to contact CycleOps.
Does anyone have similar problems and perhaps a solution?

i thought i had the flexing problem as both me and my girlfriend use the trainer. i gave her the skewer tht came with the trainer, adn i jsut use an old MTB rear skewer. It was craking and I thought that the bearings or my CF frame was going to die, but after oiling the cups a little but where the skewer contacts the trainer, its all good.

However, I dobnt think the flange on the non QR side of the skewer is wide enough, and its wearng out. Where can I buy a skewer that is exactly liek the Cycleops skewer that was included?

If your using an expensive skewer you care about not scratching, change it out. Otherwise, just put a cheap skewer on for the road and the trainer, and don't worry about it.

I am using a cheap skewer, however, the flange on the skewer is not wide enough and it wants to rock around in the cyclops cup. I am asking if someone knows of a cheap road skewer that has a big enough flange on it. part number would be cool so i can order it from nashbar or performance or get it at my LBS.

The extra skewer for my Fluid 2 only comes with one spring, whereas the skewer on my bike has two (one on each end). Is my Cycleops skewer missing a part, or am I supposed to reuse an original spring?

It's not critical. It's a little more convenient to use two springs. Take one off the bike.