Change of tyre for a turbo?

Chartsengrafs

Quick question, hooked up the new turbo this evening and used my normal road tyre on the back wheel. I've heard something about a training tyre - will my normal one be OK? It seemed OK when I finished. Thanks.

cython

Basster wrote: »

Quick question, hooked up the new turbo this evening and used my normal road tyre on the back wheel. I've heard something about a training tyre - will my normal one be OK? It seemed OK when I finished. Thanks.

No, a normal road tyre will wear far too quickly on a turbo, possible resulting in a blowout, due to the much higher heat and friction generated. Basically because the resistance is being provided by a small wheel on the turbo, said wheel doesn't get to cool down before coming back into contact with the tyre, and so this heat builds up in the wheel too. A turbo tyre, on the other hand, is made of harder rubber, so while it doesn't give as much grip were it to be used on the road (which it shouldn't be!), it wears much more slowly.

macnab

I have done plenty of 1 hour sessions on the turbo with no signs of wear on the tyre, or no huge build up of heat either. But as Cython has said it can be an issue. Maybe my turbo doesnt have as much tension as others. My advice is monitor the tyre for signs of wear and/or heat buildup, if its there then buy a training tyre.

Beasty

macnab wrote: »

I have done plenty of 1 hour sessions on the turbo with no signs of wear on the tyre, or no huge build up of heat either.

You're obviously not trying hard enough:p

Diarmuid

turbo sessions at this time of year? Ouch!

macnab

Beasty wrote: »

You're obviously not trying hard enough:p

Left myself open there didnt I.....:p

Chartsengrafs

Diarmuid wrote: »

turbo sessions at this time of year? Ouch!

Exams! My only defence. And the crazy wind.

Thanks for the advice all. Glad I asked. The tyre looked different than before, surprised it looked different after an hour, seemed visibly worn. Perhaps there was too much tension and what not.

Beasty

Basster wrote: »

Exams! My only defence. And the crazy wind.

Thanks for the advice all. Glad I asked. The tyre looked different than before, surprised it looked different after an hour, seemed visibly worn. Perhaps there was too much tension and what not.

Seriously you will get many thousands of km out of an ordinary tyre on a road bike, but may only be talking hundreds on a properly set-up turbo

morana

I am doing the opposite using the turbo tyre on the road (as well as the turbo)!!!

Beasty

morana wrote: »

I am doing the opposite using the turbo tyre on the road (as well as the turbo)!!!

... which is incredibly dangerous as turbo tyres have very little grip

so whatever morana wishes to do, don't do this at home guys;)

Chips Lovell

I just used clapped out road tyres on the turbo. I've never had to buy a turbo tyre. I think I got that tip from Tunney.