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Is it okay to use your bike on a turbo trainer?

Find out if the warranty still applies if your frame gets damaged while you’re using Zwift. You might be surprised

If you use your bike on a turbo trainer, does the warranty still apply? The answer is: it depends.

This issue reared its head on Twitter when Specialized (@iamspecialized) said:

“We do not design or test bicycles for trainer use and do not recommend carbon-fibre bikes on a trainer which is rigidly attached.”

That’s interesting because a whole lot of us use carbon-fibre bikes on trainers, especially during winter, and it’s becoming ever more popular thanks to apps like Zwift that make the experience more interesting.

Find out how to get started on Zwift here.

Trainers are also useful for warming up and cooling down at races. You’ll always see Team Ineos riders on Pinarellos fixed to Wahoo Kickr direct-drive trainers, for example, within minutes of finishing a race – although they don't need to worry about warranties.

So are we taking a chance by fixing a bike to a turbo trainer or not? And does it make a difference whether that bike is metal or carbon-fibre?

We asked some of the biggest bike brands.

Bkool Pro Turbo Trainer and Simulator - qr clamp 2.jpg

Specialized

It makes sense to start with Specialized. The US brand added an addendum to its Bicycle Owner's Manual: “There are lots of different trainer types available, including wind trainers, magnetic trainers, fluid trainers, trainers that attach directly to the bicycle, rollers, and others. Depending on the trainer type and use, it may potentially apply unusual forces on your bicycle, wear parts, and/or weaken or damage your bicycle. Use a trainer at your own risk.

“This is especially true for composite or carbon-fibre bicycles rigidly attached to the trainer. Improperly mounting your bicycle in a trainer or using an incompatible trainer may also damage it. Always follow the trainer manufacturer's instructions and consider using an old bike with a metal frame and components you are not using on the road.

“If you use your Specialized bicycle on any type of trainer, your Authorised Specialized Retailer should conduct a periodic safety inspection. When you take your bicycle off the trainer and back out on the road, always conduct a Mechanical Safety Check and make sure nothing is loose (eg wheels are correctly secured).

“Warning! Specialized does not design or test bicycles for trainer use. Using your Specialized bicycle on a trainer may compromise the safety of the bicycle and may void your warranty.”

Canyon

Canyon-ZCC-Zwift-4

Good news from Canyon, who have updated their advice recently.

“We revisited our strength testing cycles for  past and present bikes – so have been able to approve many models for stationary trainer use,” says Canyon’s Jack Noy.

And it's an extensive list. Canyon's latest advice is that “All Aeroad, Ultimate, Endurace, Grail, Inflite, Speedmax and Exceed bikes for all model years are now approved for turbo trainer usage without voiding your warranty.”

There are a couple of conditions, including “the trainer must clamp on to the bike's rear axle (not to the frame)”. Noy says that the rear axle includes the dropouts, so wheel-off trainers are fine.

He says: "it can’t be a trainer that clamps to the frame tubes etc, but direct drive stuff is all good — using the dropouts as the interface."

Trek

Trek doesn’t specifically rule out turbo use for bikes made of any material, but it points out that frames are designed to move and flex.

“As soon as you start to clamp them down it limits how they're designed to move,” says Trek’s Jez Loftus. “This generally isn’t a problem but factors like how tightly the clamp is adjusted come into play.”

A common issue is under-tightening the clamp, causing the bike to bounce about, according to Trek. Overt-tightening can cause issues too.

“We use all our demo bikes in fit classes on turbos and they've been fine,” says Jez Loftus. “Thru axles probably help as well.”

If a bike used on a trainer does get damaged, Trek direct you to register a claim through one of its dealers, preferably the one from which you bought it.

If the dealer is unsure they'd send the bike back to Trek for examination and the brand would make the call. If the damage is deemed to fall outside of the warranty, Trek would offer a crash replace frame which comes with a reasonable discount.

Elite Volano Fluid direct drive trainer.jpg

Giant

Giant doesn’t have a blanket ban on the use of its bike on turbos either.

“If there was an issue it would be taken on a case by case basis looking at the type of trainer, the skewer that was used and also what the damage is,” says Giant’s David Ward.

GIANT_TURBO_TRAINER_THRU_AXLE_ROAD_SKEWER (1).jpg

“For turbos that require the back wheel to come out and use a custom axle from the turbo brand our road disc models use 142x12mm with a 1.5mm pitch for reference.”

Check out our turbo trainer reviews here.

Tacx Booster -3.jpg

Cannondale

Cannondale’s policy is set out in its owner’s manual.

“If you ride a trainer that requires the removal of the front wheel and clamps the fork dropouts: Be sure your fork quick release is tight! Relative movement will wear parts, weaken and damage your bike.

“If you ride a trainer that holds the bike up by clamping the rear quick release between two cones: Take off the nice, lightweight quick release that came with your bike. Substitute a heavy, classic all steel quick release and clamp it tight! Relative movement will wear parts, weaken and damage your bike.

“Be particularly cautious with a carbon frame or fork. Carbon is relatively soft, not abrasion resistant. If there is any relative movement, carbon will wear quickly.

“If you ride a trainer a lot, consider using an old bike. Corrosion from sweat will take its toll. Weight is irrelevant. Save wear on your expensive components.”

Wahoo Kickr Snap Smart Bike Trainer - clamp.jpg

Merida

Merida says that using its road frames for indoor training does not affect the warranty as long as there is no mechanical contact between the frame (chainstays, seatstays, dropouts) and the turbo trainer.

Bkool Pro Turbo Trainer and Simulator - qr clamp.jpg

Boardman

Boardman Bikes is very clear.

“At Boardman, we’ve always seen Turbo training as an important part of year round riding” says Boardman’s Matt Dowler. “As such, our lifetime warranty on frames and forks isn’t affected by turbo use. As long as you’re using the correct QR skewer or Thru-Axle adapter, Boardman frames are designed to handle the extra stress of turbo training.”

Cyclops Super Magento - screen 2

Bianchi

There's nothing in Bianchi's owner's manual to say a bike isn't warrantied against turbo trainer damage.

“I think the only issue would be if someone gets too excited in a sprint and falls over," says Bianchi's Andrew Griffin. "That would be a crash and therefore not covered under warranty.”

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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33 comments

Avatar
IanMSpencer | 2 years ago
0 likes

The article doesn't mention destroying your headset through sweat - stick a towel over your handlebars otherwise you will rust your bearings - not a problem out on the road - forward movement even on a hot day.

I have also seen cooked rear bearings - a worn bearing will overheat and destroy your rear wheel, I have seen a freehub beautifully heat treated by a bearing failure.

Finally, remember that chain and cassette are still doing mileage, so they need to be maintained as if out on the road.

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avanzato | 4 years ago
0 likes

I spoke to Rose before ordering mine and was told;

 

"no problem. You can use all of our carbon frames with an direct trainer like WAHOO Kickr or TACX NEO.

Sportliche Grüße aus Bocholt/Best regards"

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Boatsie | 4 years ago
0 likes

https://www.biketrainerworld.com/bike-trainer-vs-rollers/

Found this. Still don't agree.
Trainers from my point of view cost more, whereas rollers I see near $200Aus but keep saving towards variables nearer $400Aus yet trainers seem to start around that (or maybe I don't look properly).
Article reads trainers more suited to public whereas rollers purr pros and I disagree again. Balance will become and both require balance yet holding a hand rail/wall or having a mate as a guide would quickly learn stability of form whereas trainers lock a bicycles vital fulcrum (axle) and could easily be used to target direct torque with or without later preferred habits. Most sail boats have stays to stabilize torque and human legs have similar spiraling muscles to make use of exerted force.
I know I get wobbles and especially if riding you beaut super stiff materials I'd rather enjoy a sway than stress a machine stay and reduce life of vehicle (assuming I don't crash on rollers  1 )
Plus they're small enough to store easy and quick to start using without any assembly /reassembly requirements.

Or like you Rick_Rude, use a cheap frame (steel has give that protects integrity) and turn it up.
I don't know neither, just sharing my opinion. Rollers next year probable here because house is warmer than winter nights and I haven't much to do but want to climb so that I can descend.

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Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
0 likes

I get out of the saddle on my Direto and it's been ok with a cheap chinese frame. I'm sure the much more illustrious brand names will be fine.

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Boatsie | 4 years ago
0 likes

I don't get it.
I'm thinking a set of rollers with a fixie would be enjoyable as sway could be balanced and a work out could become. Even if not fixie, light weight, portable, folding storage, easily set up on race day while bike remains in a ready to go serviced mode.
Whereas turbo trainers look like a part bit of an exercise machine which could stand alone instead.
No point having more power than ability to apply such which is why rollers look fantastic. (Too me anyway, I haven't used neither).
Hamster wheels of rollers is appealing to me.
Any suggestions?
Don't mind either old school without collection of energy supplied via a torqued bicycle or if they are made, rollers with catchment to route into data or battery charger or Watt other uses.
They look like fun though, even a front wheel speedometer computer to stabilize cadence would do me on a set of rollers in front of an idiot box.
Maybe I'm lazy but I'd rather a pedaling machine or rollers than a turbo trainer that requires a wheel decision every time I use it.

Any rollers that perform well compared to others? I like thinking that that'd be fun.

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SculturaD | 6 years ago
1 like

Specialized answer is weird, considering they're something like 49% owned by Merida or were and their frames are manufactured by Merida. Merida being the 2nd largest frame manufacturer after Giant.
Sounds a bit hypocritical when Merida says yes, but Specialized says no?

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julesselmes | 6 years ago
1 like

There's so much urban myth and cr@p going around about this subject! 

I think we all know that some manufacturers will do anything to get out of honouring warranties even though they won't admit it! However, what concerns us is the health of our trusted steeds so bear this in mind:

Look at the GCN's video comparing Alu and Carbon handlebars. Now I know the layup of the carbon is different in different places on a bike but look at how much carbon can flex without failing. It's brittle on impact but flexes perfectly with non-impact forces ( https://youtu.be/0stL5Q9b_oo?t=36s ) Riding a trainer doesn't exert anywhere near as much force in these tests.

Secondly, listen to a guy who repairs carbon bikes for a living. He's had NONE as a result of trainer use! https://youtu.be/-qsLYlVWkbQ?t=3m24s

If you are still worried or in fact want a less fatiguing long ride on your trainer think about making a rocker plate for it. One version is here. https://youtu.be/JYzKcz46oOw?t=26s

Recently there has been simpler versions using the natural bounce/spring in tennis balls.

 

Ride On!

 

 

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Johnnyvee | 6 years ago
0 likes

I emailed Jamis and they said it was OK to use mine on a trainer. So I do.
Carbon Renegade.

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dacupacruz | 6 years ago
1 like

I am an owner of a Orbea Orca Silver 2012, accoridng to Orbea I have a for life warranty, but It doesn't say anything about turbo trainers so I send them an email asking if by using a turbo trainer I will lose my warranty and they answer me that I can use without problem a turbo trainer my warranty will apply without problem on my frame and I'm happy about that.  1

Avatar
don simon fbpe replied to dacupacruz | 6 years ago
0 likes

dacupacruz wrote:

I am an owner of a Orbea Orca Silver 2012, accoridng to Orbea I have a for life warranty, but It doesn't say anything about turbo trainers so I send them an email asking if by using a turbo trainer I will lose my warranty and they answer me that I can use without problem a turbo trainer my warranty will apply without problem on my frame and I'm happy about that.  1

I hope that you never have to test them out, they have form on not paying out on the warranty by looking for any excuses, it's usually about racing, but I guess the turbo is as good as anything.

Orbea Alma owner.

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kil0ran | 6 years ago
5 likes

Extra points for Cannondale, refreshing to see real world advice not wrapped up in legalese

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Rixter | 7 years ago
5 likes

The response from Canyon and Specialized is so lame. All their pro teams use trainers and in the case of Canyon they sell them. How hypocritical of them!

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prfeen | 7 years ago
5 likes

Canyon selling turbo trainers on their website, but not for their bicycles. smiley 

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J90 | 7 years ago
5 likes

Well this highlights which manufacturers trust in their products.

Turbos are much better than the road for structured training during the winter. Riding on ice doesn't make you "hard", so many people feel the need to brag about riding in bad weather....yeah, you probably could've got a better workout indoors.

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ianrobo | 7 years ago
2 likes

whilst I get not everyone can afford N+1 bikes I went out and got a very cheap steel bike for my trainer, no way was I going to use my carbon bike on it.

Thats just my personal preference and I only use my trainer regardless of weather for short intervals and sessions under an hour.

Other than that as Judge Dreadful says, gget out there, I was yesterday morning at half 6 in the ice and snow. Once you warm up no real issues ! 

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fukawitribe replied to ianrobo | 6 years ago
3 likes

ianrobo wrote:

Other than that as Judge Dreadful says, gget out there, I was yesterday morning at half 6 in the ice and snow. Once you warm up no real issues ! 

Hilarious machismo issues aside, why do you and JudgeDreadful think the only reason people use indoor trainers is because they have some aversion to going outside ?

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don simon fbpe replied to ianrobo | 6 years ago
3 likes

ianrobo wrote:

whilst I get not everyone can afford N+1 bikes I went out and got a very cheap steel bike for my trainer, no way was I going to use my carbon bike on it.

Thats just my personal preference and I only use my trainer regardless of weather for short intervals and sessions under an hour.

Other than that as Judge Dreadful says, gget out there, I was yesterday morning at half 6 in the ice and snow. Once you warm up no real issues ! 

Lightweight, I went out before I even went to bed... Pfft!

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Harmanhead | 7 years ago
0 likes

  BMC?

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Judge dreadful | 7 years ago
4 likes

#5 #9. Stop being lightweight and ride your bike on an actual road. There's no issue then.

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julesselmes replied to Judge dreadful | 6 years ago
2 likes

Judge dreadful wrote:

#5 #9. Stop being lightweight and ride your bike on an actual road. There's no issue then.

I agree with this sentiment until the temperature falls below freezing. It is foolish to ride when icy, not brave. Please also bear in mind that some of us live in places in the world where it is below freezing (and very snowy) for many of the winter months, so turbo trainers are our only option to stay fit and healthy.

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mdavidford replied to julesselmes | 6 years ago
1 like
Quote:

Overt-tightening can cause issues too.

So it should be done surreptitiously?

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mrchrispy | 7 years ago
0 likes

I've just relegated my 10 year old carbon frame to Turbo duties, be permanently attached to the Kickr now \o/  mind you, the rear dropouts had started to go anyway, fraying carbon is never a good sign...there's no way I'd take it out on the road

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Bike Swanky | 7 years ago
2 likes

Rule #9 was invented for this  1  LOL

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jollygoodvelo | 7 years ago
2 likes

Kurt Kinetic Rock'n'Roll is probably the 'rocking' one you're thinking of.

 

I'm torn on this.  On the one hand there are clearly very different forces going through a bike frame that's clamped into a trainer (either direct drive or wheel on).  This will be especially clear when out of the saddle, sprinting or "climbing" - anything that in normal riding would cause the bike to rock one way and the other.  If the bike can't move then you're putting those forces mostly through the chain stays and seat stays, and the latter especially are only designed to deal with compression forces along their length.  

Think of a cheese straw or breadstick.  They're relatively strong in tension and compression along their length - you could pull either end of a breadstick and it would probably hold (unless cracked already).  But not strong at all in torsion (twisting) or sideways compression.  The more expensive the bike, the more 'vertical compliance' it has been designed for, the more material will be trimmed from the frame and the less resistance to 'unplanned' forces.

Now, if you argue that bike makers should design their frames for all uses including trainers - that's fine, but it means more material (for a given level of technology) and thus more weight.

On the flip side, there are thousands of people using trainers now.  The last few times I've been on Zwift it's been around 3000, there are thriving communities using TR, Sufferfest, BKool etc.  If it was really a problem the Internet would be littered with photos of broken bike frames somewhere around the lower seat stay.  But it isn't.  So we must conclude that it's just not a problem for the great majority of users.

 

Ride on  3

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 7 years ago
3 likes

Riding a turbo is predominantly a sit down routine.  Riding out of the saddle is a little limited to keeping the upper body rigid and not swaying too much.  So forget about out of the saddle sprints for the line routines, save that for the road.  Turbos are for building aerobic and endurance capabilities, pedal technique.

The Bkool trainer is very difficult to apply much power whilst standing unless you keep weight back and have sticky new tyre.  

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Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
0 likes

Guess it also depends on the trainer. My Bkool is a weight down to contact trainer so getting out of the saddle is pointless, whereas my Tacx clamped up onto tyre and you could get out of the saddle and get a bit waggly.

Hasn't one of the trainers got an element of rock built into it? Probably a good compromise.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 replied to Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
1 like

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Guess it also depends on the trainer. My Bkool is a weight down to contact trainer so getting out of the saddle is pointless, whereas my Tacx clamped up onto tyre and you could get out of the saddle and get a bit waggly.

Hasn't one of the trainers got an element of rock built into it? Probably a good compromise.

 

Tacx Neo has sway capability- a little bit

Avatar
ashliejay | 7 years ago
0 likes

seeing as how trainers are regularly recomended for training, warm ups or winter riding, it's about time bike manufacurers started to test bikes on trainers, and not just road bikes, mountain bikes too, as you always see riders warming up in the pits or at the start gate spinning away.

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rjfrussell | 7 years ago
1 like

Interesting also to look at advice about carriers-  Cannondale's advice is ultra-cautious and rules out virtually carriers, including those that lock the fork, or in any way clamp onto the  frame.  Not very "real world".

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davel | 7 years ago
1 like

"no mechanical contact between the frame (chainstays, seatstays, dropouts) and the turbo trainer"...

=

wheel-on trainers only?

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