Static "Cycle Trainer" with knobbly tyres

[Ledaig]

My first venture into this forum so apologies if this has been asked before, but how would the following:

Halfords

(or similar) be with an MTB using knobbly tyres?

Will it just try to shake my teeth out or would it actually work? - Please not I do not intend on trying to hit silly speeds - just get me back into cycling without crashing out halfway around the block. (which being a rural area could be quite a large block). Something tells me this would sound like my old Raleigh Grifter with playing cards through the spokes and a dodgy 'ride' to boot.

I would rather not get into having to switch wheels/tyres for different uses and so would stick to what's on the thing in the garage if at all possible.

Cheers.

[Funk]

I've been wondering about this as well, the only thing I could think of was to possibly buy another rear wheel with a road tyre on it but I don't know whether I'd get issues with the chain skipping on a different cassette?

[Some Gump]

Both,

1 - you'd be mad to use a knobbly. It'd be very loud, and wear out quickly. I'd get a cheap slick and chuck it on there - you can get trainer tyres byt they're expensive.

2 - as long as you use a wheel with the same cassette (so 8 speed to 8, 9 on 9 and whatnot), you'll be fine. The wheel doesn't need to be light, strong, or even straight - so you can probably get one for either very little or nowt. Just leave the brakes unclipped (as if changing a tyre) when on the turbo.

[yellowjack]

Keep a lookout for free wheels at your local tip/recycling centre. I've had quite a few small bits and bobs (noodles, brake cables, reflectors etc) from mine. They try to charge, but shouldn't, unless the gear is in the 'sales' area, and then they don't like you stripping bits off. Whole wheels can often be had on crappy Bike Shaped Objects dumped with very low mileage. You probably wouldn't want to trust them on the roads/trails but on a static trainer with a cheap slick tyre? No problem.

Last time I went to my local tip, there were two nice looking BMX bikes there, complete and sound, on casual inspection, but the wife was with me, and rolled her eyes, so they stayed where they were

[Ledaig]

Thanks both - I thought I was pretty much asking a dead end question but your advice is appreciated and pointers taken on-board.

[Some Gump]

If changing is a problem, you can get a rim trainer. Search ebay.

[Ledaig]

Some Gump said:

If changing is a problem, you can get a rim trainer. Search ebay.

Now that's interesting - thanks for the info.

Have to admit though, I was a little concerned about searching for a 'rim trainer'

[Funk]

Some Gump said:

If changing is a problem, you can get a rim trainer. Search ebay.

Did exactly this and picked up this on Saturday for £50:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Minoura-RDA-850-Turbo-Tr...

All good, it's in great nick and a bargain. I'm trying to find a suitable computer that will have either a long enough wire or wireless range to allow me to track speeds and distances - my current one is all neatly installed on the front and I'd rather not remove it. Any recommendations for a suitable computer for getting the job done?