Steel/Ti bikes on smart trainer

[cyan]

Most modern carbon bikes seem to work well with smart trainers, how about TIG-welded steel and titanium bikes?

Barring accidents and incorrect mounting, does normal use of (lightweight) steel/ti bikes on smart trainers with occasional sprinting adversely affect those TIG-welded joints or other parts of the frame? I'm already using a sweat net and wipe off the bike after each session, what other measures can we take to minimize the chance of damage?

[Mikej]

Yes it’s ok - by far

[Clean39T]

Use a big fan. Don't throw your bike around like Cav. You'll be fine.

Atmo.



Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200404/0bc0b27643b1bc1676929fada04b01bb.jpg

[purplecu22]

I rode a surly pacer 4130 for 15 years on a trainer. Check under top tube and bb area for rust. A sweat guard will help. Brake bosses collect sweat and rust. Other rise a steel frame should last years.

[Veloo]

Can always add another towel (around your neck) to wipe yourself before the sweat has a chance to drip down to the bike.

[kohagen]

I use a Moots Psychlo-X on my KICKR. Works great.

[C40_guy]

I picked up a cannondale aluminum frame for almost nothing on Craigslist, then built it up as a trainer rat using leftover parts from another build. Biggest investment was the trainer specific tire.

No worrying about tweaking a good bike and the aluminum frame won't rust. :)

[uber]

Steel or Carbon on the Tacx Neo. No problem.

[HugoBear]

I use my Strong TI, no worries.

[joemull]

I'd be more worried about flexing carbon on the trainer, and not as much on the steel/ti frames. but the metals you gotta watch out for corrosion. sweat's like acid. I'm terrified of making one of those #bikeshopbingo corroded handlebars when they replace the bar tape

[fignon's barber]

Steel or Ti bikes are probably the best on trainers. According to bike manufacturers, maybe carbon isn't so great: Trek and Specialized both state that trainer use voids their warranties.

[tuxbailey]

I am using my 9-speed Jamis steel on my Kickr and it works fine. Prior to that I tired Guru Ti on it and it was fins as well.

[bigbill]

11 year old Serotta Ti Fierte has been on my KICKR for over a year. I don't plan on using it for anything else.

[Peter P.]

I use my TIG welded steel frame on my trainer. No problems.

My only concern is sweat. Use a sweat net/bra, and wipe the frame down with a WET rag when done. It's not so much the water that's the issue but water combined with body salts, that's why you use a wet rag. You should be good.

My solution is to keep the effort down to just below a dripping sweat. I drape a towel over the bars and use it if needed. Fortunately, my basement is pretty cool in the winter so sweating isn't a big deal. And keeping my effort level below a dripping sweat doesn't seem to affect my performance once I get back on the road.

[phottomatt]

DIY sweat guard, actually I didn't DO anything except put it on LOL. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200413/000ef88ddf81258a38393f6fd7af92d3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200413/04586e2b6860a4b9e36918a4618a1ebf.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Pushgears]

Don't put any bike of value on a stationary trainer! I learned the hard way by cracking a weld connecting a rear drop-out to the chain stay on a titanium bike. I'm convinced it was due to the constant side to side flexing of the frame, similar to flexing an empty beer can back and forth. Many manufacturers recommend against it.

If in doubt, set your bike up with the bottom bracket over the intersection of two grout lines and watch it swing from side to side like a pendulum as you pedal- an unnatural motion for the bike.

Instead, get rollers and learn how to ride them. The difference is that on a trainer you think of the road, but on a narrow strip of blacktop or single trail, you think of your rollers and the handling skills they develop.

[tbike4]

Yep, do something about the sweat or have someone else maintain it sometime down the road. I am refurbishing a bike my buddy had on a trainer for WAY too long and some parts are chemically bonded. Ferrules into brake calipers, etc. It's an aluminum frame but there are of course a bunch of bits that are still just plain nasty and can not be removed. Let's just say I have a LOT of time into making it right again.

[Hikyle2]

I wonder this myself, I can always seem my bottom bracket flexing when I watch the big chain ring moving side to side while I pedal on the trainer.

[Toddykins]

I am sure it flexes on the road under power too, you just aren't staring at it.

I currently have my Firefly on my trainer, so that tells you where I stand...

[mhespenheide]

My trainer mounts by the front and rear axles, so to speak. I use a Ti frame on it and have for years.

Personally, I'd go with Al or Ti for a trainer if I were making a conscious choice about it.

[93KgBike]

I though dcrainmaker said most of the newer smart trainers have degrees of flex built in so the axle can rock?

[kiwisimon]

use a steel frame with sweat guard and towel folded over the headset stem assembly. Washing it with water occasionally but no problems with flex.