Jyyanks

With the days getting darker and the weather getting colder, I'm not able to go out riding as much. I was thinking of getting a bicycle trainer so I can cycle at home during the colder darker months, but I'm not sure if my folder (Dahon Speed P8) will work on a trainer. Do I need to use a regular bike? I'm not sure where to post this so thought I'd start in the folding forum first.

Thanks in advance for your help.

sudoshift

You mean one of those bike rolling things that's kinda like a dynometer. Can't think of its name right now. I imagine that as long as the wheel base fits, it should be fine. But I am totally talking out of my arse. So someone with experience, please do chime in.

vik 

In general the answer is yes you can use a small wheeled bike on a bicycle trainer. In practice there are a few hurdles to overcome:

- you need a trainer that works with small wheels...some offer adapters for 20" wheels you'll have to check with the manufacturer...I've never heard of one for 16" wheels, but that doesn't mean one isn't made
- next all trainers I've seen require you to replace the stock QR with a special steel one that fits their equipment and is robust enough to support your weight when pedaling on the trainer...if your bike uses a QR the swap should take seconds...if your bike uses a bolt on rear axle you have a problem.

I would caution you that 9 out of 10 people that I know who bought a cycle trainer to ride indoors in winter ended up not using them. I went as far as setting up one of my recumbent bikes in front of a projection system so I could watch Netflix on a 10' screen. It was so incredibly boring I gave up after a dozen attempts and just rode my bike outdoors when the weather allowed. So unless you are quite confident in your likelihood of sticking with the trainer biking I wouldn't spend too much $$$ on getting it set up for your folder.

Jyyanks

Thank you. It sounds like there is some work/dollars needed for a trainer to fit my bike. I'm wondering if its worth it. My reasoning for a bike trainer is that a bicycle trainer is cheaper than joining a gym for spin classes. However, I am afraid I will be bored as the reason I love cycling is because of the feeling I get from the actual ride. If it were easy to adapt my folder, I would buy one just to try it out. But that does not seem to be the case.

bhkyte

20 inch wheels are compactable with turbo type trainers in my experience. Yiou could always get a cheap 26 inch bike even with out a front wheel.

There is a big fish trainer for smaller wheels. there is also some other products out there as well .

vik 

Knowing what I know now I would spend the $$$ on spin classes. I'd rather spend $2X and get some benefit than $1X and waste the cash. Besides the spin classes has the potential for some motivating scenery...=-)

Folding-Bikes

I prefer spinning, more social & easy to get motivated..


I also own one of this



That allows this Kurt Kinetic fit almost any wheel size

Juan

Jyyanks

Oh well it was worth a shot. I'll ride until November and then make a decision. Thank you!

CSG

With a folder, I can toss it in the trunk and go someplace warm to ride.

Transformer

I was thinking about getting a set of rollers when I found this video of a guy on a Moulton TSR.

fietsbob

Yes Rollers are a good way to go , then you just adjust the Wheelbase,
given most folders are not shorter wheelbase than regular bikes ,
that should not present much of an issue.

smaller wheel will settle a little lower between the rear 2 rollers..
you could re drill holes for the rear roller axle and move it forward a bit.
the middle roller and connecting belt turn the front roller .
there are usually a few holes to shift the front roller, that is the wheelbase adjustment.

then the roller, typically, folds up and stows easily when not in use.

the one in the picture has, apparently, flared the drum ends
to keep from riding off the edge , in a lapse of attention.
clicking on the Imbed goes to the video,
and says what make and model the rollers are.

seems to me , the trail of the fork changes with the roller/tire contact point.
typically that is ahead of the vertical line thru the hub axis,
so would be a bit different than it is on the road.

bikebikebike

Don't mean to necro this thread, but it is better than a new thread over the good issues raised above. Saves searching

I use a Cyclops fluid trainer on my Downtube (Dahon clone, forgive me, Yan).
The Cyclops 20/24' wheel adapter is great , and fits the wheel OD on my Brompton, which is approx 17
My 20 inch 406 wheels are about 18" and the Bromies have a 17" diameter tire on a 16"349 rim. The 20's work fine, The 16" tires fit OK.

The Down tube fits solidly in the trainer, but the rear triangle on the Brompton looks stressed by the torsion put on it from the sideways stress at the seat.
It doesn't look happy when stressed in that plane. Downtube frame and full sized bikes seemed OK, as the leverage is better deployed.

Brompton's IGH , Sturmy Archer and others almost all use thru hub shifters. The trainers mount the bike at the axle ends.
Kinetic has adapters for this , as well as a trainer set up for small wheels ,but it is $600-850
Kinetic Trainer - USA

With a Cyclops a Brommie 1-2 speed or modified rear frame will fit , but the screw side hub holder is on its last few threads and it has a bit of wobble when the hub is tightened in.
Remember the Brommie has that narrow hub to help with compact folding (117mm vs the 135 standard) and that rather than the wheel diameter is the biggest issue.

Roller trainers don't have these problems , they have their own. There are a couple of YTubes with demos of them as noted above

cocoabeachcrab 

i ride my speed uno on a citizens folding bicycle trainer for the winter months, but i don't know if they are still being sold.