What to consider when buying a dedicated bike for trainer?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 224
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 192 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
What to consider when buying a dedicated bike for trainer?
So, I am new to having an indoor trainer and plan to use one all winter. I am a bit concerned about the wear and sweat accumulation etc. on my road bike, so considering getting a bike to just use on a trainer. I have the Wahoo Kickr and Climb, so really don't even need the wheels. Is the groupset even remotely important? I don't think so given it would mostly be in ERG mode and controlled by the kickr. I assume I want something with reasonably similar geometry to my road bike, but other than that, anything I should pay more for or prioritize? I am going to go with a used bike and keep the cost down.
Likes For rdmn:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,431
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4407 Post(s)
Liked 4,860 Times
in
3,006 Posts
Geometry is not important as there are no "handling" requirements on the trainer. Obviously you want the size to fit you reasonably well (stack & reach in the ballpark), but it's nowhere near as critical as when riding outdoors. Groupset doesn't really matter as you have figured.
Don't forget to budget for a huge, powerful fan!
Don't forget to budget for a huge, powerful fan!
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,300
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1138 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
687 Posts
So, I am new to having an indoor trainer and plan to use one all winter. I am a bit concerned about the wear and sweat accumulation etc. on my road bike, so considering getting a bike to just use on a trainer. I have the Wahoo Kickr and Climb, so really don't even need the wheels. Is the groupset even remotely important? I don't think so given it would mostly be in ERG mode and controlled by the kickr. I assume I want something with reasonably similar geometry to my road bike, but other than that, anything I should pay more for or prioritize? I am going to go with a used bike and keep the cost down.
when you get all set up you can try all of those listed for free, about a week or two then decide on one or more.
#6
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,987
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
How nice is your current road bike? If it lacks anything you want then you might consider putting it on your trainer and purchasing your dream bike for the road instead.
Of course you might just use your current bike this winter and then have a better selection for either way you go when inventory is better. Hopefully mid summer 2022.
Of course you might just use your current bike this winter and then have a better selection for either way you go when inventory is better. Hopefully mid summer 2022.
Likes For Iride01:
#7
Newbie racer
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 3,406
Bikes: Propel, red is faster
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1575 Post(s)
Liked 1,569 Times
in
974 Posts
TBH, given the cost you've spent........why oh why not do some Zwift or RGT or something? How is the climb unit fun without it? Road grade simulation was why that existed. To use erg instead just seems, blah.
As for sweat, or bike wear and tear it just depends how good a steward you are on bike washes and covering the headset area or bars with a towel and how much fan action you have. The more covered, the more fan action, more routine bike washing.......better.
The biggest issue here is cheaper fasteners and also alloy handlebars. People don't change their bar tape ever and the corrosion eats under the bar tape. If you wash your bikes and do some bar tape like 2x a year.......should be fine with your bike as-is.
As for sweat, or bike wear and tear it just depends how good a steward you are on bike washes and covering the headset area or bars with a towel and how much fan action you have. The more covered, the more fan action, more routine bike washing.......better.
The biggest issue here is cheaper fasteners and also alloy handlebars. People don't change their bar tape ever and the corrosion eats under the bar tape. If you wash your bikes and do some bar tape like 2x a year.......should be fine with your bike as-is.
#8
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,986
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4946 Post(s)
Liked 8,087 Times
in
3,826 Posts
My primary concern would be getting the fit as close to my road bike as possible. As long as the shifting works consistently well, the level of components doesn't matter. I would want something that I feel is robust enough to handle max. efforts of 1200W+ without an issue.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#9
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,962
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10425 Post(s)
Liked 11,899 Times
in
6,094 Posts
#10
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,962
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10425 Post(s)
Liked 11,899 Times
in
6,094 Posts
Even if your bike is to be a dedicated trainer bike, get a sweatguard and towels.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#11
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,987
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
Likes For Iride01:
#12
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,962
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10425 Post(s)
Liked 11,899 Times
in
6,094 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,300
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1138 Post(s)
Liked 1,182 Times
in
687 Posts
My primary concern would be getting the fit as close to my road bike as possible. As long as the shifting works consistently well, the level of components doesn't matter. I would want something that I feel is robust enough to handle max. efforts of 1200W+ without an issue.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,957
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
436 Posts
I put my best bike on my Kickr without reservation. I wear gloves, headband, and use a sweat guard plus multiple fans so that there's less wear on it than on outside rides. Of course having a dedicated bike is fine too, but I have a rain bike so I don't mind leaving my best bike on the trainer through the rainy season.
Likes For surak:
#15
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,962
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10425 Post(s)
Liked 11,899 Times
in
6,094 Posts
#16
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,986
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4946 Post(s)
Liked 8,087 Times
in
3,826 Posts
One thing I've always been reasonably good at on a bike is peak power. My FTP, however, is pretty mediocre. My w/kg @ FTP is also less than impressive.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#17
Senior Member
Fans, towels....all that stuff. I have no reservations about using my CF Trek, with one problem. I need a much better seat! Not much standing or changing positions on Zwift, so it gets pretty sore down there.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,949
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3952 Post(s)
Liked 7,297 Times
in
2,947 Posts
What's an air mover?
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
It's a ducted fan that I use to dry out my basement floor when it seeps in the winter. (We've been in a drought so haven't had to use it for that purpose in a while). It really blasts the air in a directed jet.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,881
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 766 Post(s)
Liked 1,739 Times
in
1,013 Posts
I need to find a fan that pushes lots of air, but is more quiet than what I have. I just have a 20 directional box fax and it works great, but is really loud.
#22
Senior Member
here are the bikes that I use
#23
Full Member
I found that standard box fans don’t move enough air to keep me cool so I use squirt cage fans.
Lasko U12104 High Velocity Pro Pivoting Utility Fan for Cooling, Ventilating, Exhausting and Drying at Home, Job Site and Work Shop, Black 12104 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YKXF9VC...ing=UTF8&psc=1
I put all my fans on a single power strip so I can turn them all on at the same time.
Last year I bought a Wahoo Kickr bike and love it. Glad to get rid of all the chain noise and maintenance. As well as being able to run any gearing I want. An I can use Campagnolo, Shimano, and Shram shifting. Would never go back to a standard smart trainer again. An I have tilt for the rides.
Lasko U12104 High Velocity Pro Pivoting Utility Fan for Cooling, Ventilating, Exhausting and Drying at Home, Job Site and Work Shop, Black 12104 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YKXF9VC...ing=UTF8&psc=1
I put all my fans on a single power strip so I can turn them all on at the same time.
Last year I bought a Wahoo Kickr bike and love it. Glad to get rid of all the chain noise and maintenance. As well as being able to run any gearing I want. An I can use Campagnolo, Shimano, and Shram shifting. Would never go back to a standard smart trainer again. An I have tilt for the rides.
#24
Senior Member
[QUOTE=tomato coupe;22221577]Why no standing on Zwift?
It just seems awkward to me. I have a Wahoo wheel-on smart trainer, but not the "Climb" accessory. When climbing IRL the front wheel is elevated, but not on a trainer.
BTW, I can't fathom why some here need multiple fans or those huge ones. I ride pretty hard (for me) but a single one close by does the job.
It just seems awkward to me. I have a Wahoo wheel-on smart trainer, but not the "Climb" accessory. When climbing IRL the front wheel is elevated, but not on a trainer.
BTW, I can't fathom why some here need multiple fans or those huge ones. I ride pretty hard (for me) but a single one close by does the job.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,752
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4390 Post(s)
Liked 3,016 Times
in
1,865 Posts
My primary concern would be getting the fit as close to my road bike as possible. As long as the shifting works consistently well, the level of components doesn't matter. I would want something that I feel is robust enough to handle max. efforts of 1200W+ without an issue.