Cycling is a great recreational activity that has become more popular in recent years, but the price of buying a bike can be prohibitive for some people. This is where a bike trainer comes into play. A bike trainer is a device that allows you to use your regular road or mountain bike indoors, but the question remains, are they safe?
While it may seem like there’s no danger involved in using one, if you don’t take precautions and follow all safety instructions, your bike could be damaged. Here are some tips on how to avoid damaging your bike while using one.
What is a bike trainer?
Bike trainers are designed to simulate the feel of cycling outside, with the aim of helping riders get more comfortable and more fit. Most trainers use cushioned foam boards, which simulate road surfaces. When used properly, they help keep your bike stationary and make it more comfortable to ride.
The benefits of using a bike trainer Using a bike trainer can give you the feeling of riding on a real road, while keeping your wheels on a smooth, cushioned surface. The trainer is also capable of training you in various disciplines of cycling, such as hill sprints, hills climbing, and speed intervals.
There are three basic types of bike trainer: mechanical trainers, lightweight trainers, and “smart” trainers.
How do bike trainers work?
In order to use a bike trainer, you need to have the right bicycle. Bikes are relatively expensive and if you are investing in one for the first time, you want to make sure that it works correctly. You also need to understand the dimensions of the bike trainer, otherwise the safety of your bike is at risk. As a rule of thumb, if you are currently riding a road bike, you can use a bike trainer with your road bike.
If you are a mountain biker, you will need a bike with wider tires. You will also want to use a bike trainer if you intend to use it for more than a few weeks or if you will be riding your bike more frequently on the trainer than you normally would. What safety precautions do you need to take when using a bike trainer?
Related: Best Smart Bike Trainers (Reviewed 2021)
Related: Best Bike Trainers for Beginners (Reviewed 2021)
Do bike trainers damage bikes?
As you will be spending a lot of time on the bike trainer, it is important that you don’t damage your bike by overusing it. Certain bike trainers don’t have any pedal or brake brakes, so there’s no steering mechanism to prevent you from crashing. As a result, you may find it difficult to stop your bike as quickly as you need to.
A good way to avoid this problem is to have brakes on your bike, or attach it to the trainer. It is also important that you don’t use a trainer with a non-side post, as this will create more centrifugal forces around the middle of the bike. This can cause problems if you are holding on to it while you are using it. Some bike trainers come with remote signals that you can use to adjust the resistance.
How can you avoid damaging your bike while using one?
• Take care of the bike before using a bike trainer. If you have a regular road or mountain bike, get rid of any dirty parts and use a high-quality cleaner that is recommended by your bicycle mechanic. Never let the bike sit in a dirty garage for long and always wash it. The cleaner will be able to penetrate deep into the surfaces that your trainer will be resting on, and ensure that all the dirt is removed.
• Get your trainer to fit your bike. A bike trainer should always fit your bike perfectly. Take your bike to a bike store to have a proper fitting done. An old bike can be a bad choice for a bike trainer. You may have heard of the phenomenon of aquaponics where plants grow in water and the fish eat the plants. This could be what’s going on with your bike trainer.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to spend too much on a new bike and you live in a flat place, a bike trainer is a great and relatively cheap way of using your bike indoors.
If you want to have fun on a regular road or mountain bike, then it is perfectly acceptable to ride it outside but if you want to ride a super-light carbon bike, then it’s also a good idea to take a trainer with you to your local hill and ride it on a regular road. Even if you’re not a triathlete, a bike trainer is still a good way to stay active and fit.
How Magnetic Bike Trainers Work: A Guide To Choosing And Installing A Magnetic Bike Trainer