Podagrower

Between the rain and life lately, I have not been getting the miles I want, nor the miles I need and have been paying for it on weekend rides. So I have bought a trainer. I have an old wheel with small stress cracks at several spoke holes, it's still true, but it's toast for road use. However, using it on the trainer would allow me to keep trainer miles off my better tires (since I have 3 or 4 tires that I don't trust for road use do to gashes or general wear). Since the trainer holds the bike by the skewer, am I right in thinking there is less stress on the wheel, or is there going to be an explosion and fire?

sdmc530

Well if it were to fail it wouldn't be catastrophic like it would be on the road but my trainer puts stress on the wheel too. I still wouldn't use it to be safe but that is me. And I am paranoid!! lol

jsigone

personally I wouldn't used a cracked wheel. I'd just the cut spoke and take the hub out for spare parts. all other parts goes to trash. If it fails at home, it could still cause you to fall, break something in the house if not yourself trying to save the fall.

79pmooney

I'd call that an excellent use for that wheel. (If it dies catatrophically, it costs you what? One training session?) If your frameis CF, you do want to keep an eye on those spokes just so you don't pull one out and have it scrape the chainstay. I use my old bikes as trainer bikes, never my best one. Also ancient steel quick releases and old rubber.

Ben

cyclist2000

I don't see why using the old wheel on a trainer, since its being held by the skewer, there is little chance of crashing if the rim explodes, and I doubt that would happen. But for me, I would use this as a opportunity to build another wheel and have fun doing that, then use it on the trainer.

gl98115

Ride it on the trainer till it asplodes. My experience with cracked spoke holes is that the wheel just goes out of true over time.