It’s quite a gratifying experience to be able to ride your bike indoors. Especially now, with the onset of the monsoons. Riding your bicycle indoors is also super convenient – you can get on it at any point in time; weather conditions or the time of day aren’t considerations anymore. There are so many advantages to riding indoors. Maintenance on your bike is also a lot lower indoors – your indoor trainer however, is working super hard to ensure you ride indoors without any hiccups.
The fatigue of regular indoor riding can leave your trainer needing some TLC. Nothing major, just run through the basics that we’re going to tell you about. Let’s face it, most trainers these days more or less take care of themselves. That being said, all machines could do with a little maintenance now and again, just to keep them in tip-top condition. So we’ve collected a few top tips for you below just to help you maintain your trainer, which can generally be applied to whatever model you have
TRAINER MAINTENANCE & SERVICE TIPS
1. KEEP IT CLEAN
Not any part specifically, you need to keep your trainer free of dust, grime, and any kind of gunk that may have formed over-usage. Most trainers, especially the higher-end direct-drive trainers these days are all completely sealed units so don’t worry about the internals at all.
Now if you have a wheel-on trainer you need to ensure that the rollers are kept clean. This can be a very simple step, but can often be the root of troubles later down the line.
Simply get some window cleaner, or regular cleaning fluid with alcohol in it, smother some on a nice soft cloth, and gently rub the roller, moving it around as required. You’ll find that there may have been some rubber residue that was there previously there which will come right off by doing this.
If you have a direct-drive trainer, it’s important that you keep your cassette and chain clean as well. Being indoors helps keep the maintenance low but gunk can still accumulate over the course of a month or two.
2. LUBRICATION
The wheel fasteners, in the case of a wheel-on trainer are the most commonly moved parts. You need to lubricate these parts ever so often to prevent issues like rusting and seizing (if not used for a while).
Take some light drip chain lube and lubricate the thread of the L-bolt (the bolt that tightens the resistance unit).
While you’re at it, don’t forget to lubricate your bike chain as well. Riding indoors does not take as much of a toll as it does outdoors but one must still remember to keep his/her drivetrain clean and well lubed.
3. TORQUE THE BOLTS
There aren’t a lot of vibrations that your bike or your trainer will face over its usage. It is still however recommended to ensure your trainer is stable and in good working order.
It’s always good practice to tighten the frame bolts, meaning the leg bolts and mounting bolt where the resistance unit joins the stand. These should be tightened periodically. Some trainers also have torque specific measurements for each of the frame bolts. It is good form to keep within these specifications.
When you’re not using your trainer, keep it under wraps as this will keep away any dirt or dust. This is one of one most beneficial and easiest tips to follow.
Happy riding!
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CYCLING
I’m an avid mountain biker and I like riding fast and flowy singletrack. As I keep riding, I continuously work on honing my riding skills. I like to ride whenever possible, especially with friends. I also like to influence folk into getting to ride more often.
Working on bicycles has also been a keen interest of mine for quite some time.
DISCIPLINE: Mountain biking and Road biking
CURRENT BIKE: Merida One Twenty 9.600 & Specialized Allez Elite DSW
DREAM BIKE: Santa Cruz 5010
