Recently got my wife a road bike and we both are looking to ride the trainer during the winter......I am riding a 9 speed (double) and she has a 8 speed (triple). Is it possible for me to purchase a rear wheel and cassette for both of us to use solely for 'trainer' purposes?? (if so, 8 or 9 speed cassette and thoughts on most economical routes)

Thanks!!:thumbsup:

Recently got my wife a road bike and we both are looking to ride the trainer during the winter......I am riding a 9 speed (double) and she has a 8 speed (triple). Is it possible for me to purchase a rear wheel and cassette for both of us to use solely for 'trainer' purposes?? (if so, 8 or 9 speed cassette and thoughts on most economical routes)

Thanks!!:thumbsup:

Not really. Her 8 speed chain is wider than your 9 speed chain, so it would skip something awful on a 9 speed cassette. Your 9 speed chain will fare a little better on an 8 speed cassette, but the indexing points will be off so you'll never get it to work right in all gears. You could probably use your barrel adjusters to get it to run smoothly in a gear or two, but then you'd have to adjust it back once you put your good wheel back on.

What's the point of a mutual trainer wheel if you don't mind my asking?

Not really. Her 8 speed chain is wider than your 9 speed chain, so it would skip something awful on a 9 speed cassette. Your 9 speed chain will fare a little better on an 8 speed cassette, but the indexing points will be off so you'll never get it to work right in all gears. You could probably use your barrel adjusters to get it to run smoothly in a gear or two, but then you'd have to adjust it back once you put your good wheel back on.

What's the point of a mutual trainer wheel if you don't mind my asking?

Thanks for the info. As for the mutual trainer wheel......Just thinking that one wheel and tire could be abused during the off season months vs two....
Just a rookie thought....

Thanks for the info. As for the mutual trainer wheel......Just thinking that one wheel and tire could be abused during the off season months vs two....
Just a rookie thought....

Just purchase a pair of cheap wire bead tires for the trainer and install them for the winter. It's cheaper than a new wheel and all you need to do is switch out bikes and not worry about wheels.

Just purchase a pair of cheap wire bead tires for the trainer and install them for the winter. It's cheaper than a new wheel and all you need to do is switch out bikes and not worry about wheels.

What he said.

get two trainers. quality time. getting all sweaty together is always good.

get two trainers. quality time. getting all sweaty together is always good.

Rollers do not eat up tires like trainers do.

I suggest Continental's training tire, a bit more expensive than wire beads, approx. $35 each, but they do not get chewed up by the trainer. When using road tires, I find a coating of fine black rubber dust on the trainer and floor after each session. Beware, though, these tire can be difficult to mount.