Can You Put A Mountain Bike On A Trainer?

Putting your bike on a trainer is a good way to stay in riding shape when the weather goes bad. Depending on the brand and quality of the bike trainer you get, it can be quite a big investment with prices ranging from $50 to $1200. and there might be a few extra accessories needed. So, can you put a mountain bike on a trainer?

Yes, you can put a mountain bike on a trainer. But you will need to check that bike trainer’s specs with your own bike specs to be sure it will properly work with your bike. There are a number of types of trainers available such as the direct-drive smart trainers, and the wheel on trainers.

In this post, we will go through whether can you put a mountain bike on a trainer. Let’s get started!

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Can You Use A Mountain Bike On A Trainer?

Yes, you can put a mountain bike on a trainer. You do need to check that bike trainer’s specs with your own bike specs to be sure it will properly work with your bike.

What Are The Types Of Mountain Bike Trainers?

There are three types of indoor trainers, these are as follows.

  • Direct-Drive Smart Trainer.
  • Wheel-On Smart Trainer.
  • Wheel-On Dumb Trainer.

Direct-Drive Smart Trainer

Direct-drive smart trainers are machines that replace the rear wheel of a bicycle and provide variable resistance to simulate an actual ride. The trainers can be electronically controlled by an app on a phone or computer which can even have a virtual scenery.

Wheel-On Smart Trainer

As the name suggests the wheel-on smart trainers simply attach the bike’s rear wheel to the trainer and this is set up against a roller. As your a cycling the rear bike runs on the rollers which creates resistance. The readings on these are not quite as accurate when compared to the smart trainer.

Wheel-On Dumb Trainer

This is the same as the wheel-on smart trainer but with one key difference. Which is with the word dumb means that it has no electronics and can not track your performance. It still gives you a good workout.

What Accessories Do I Need?

Any extra accessories you may need really depend on the trainer you decide to get. It might be stating the obvious but you will need a bike. Other than a bike these are a list of accessories you might need.

  • A riser block – You may need a riser block to level out the axles as your rear axle will be higher with your bike in the trainer, putting more weight forward onto the front wheel.
  • Quick-release rear wheel bike tire stabilizer.
  • Bike trainer mat – This helps to protect your floor from any damage since you will be biking indoors.
  • Trainer Tire – Mainly for the wheels-on trainers. These are designed to grip the machined aluminum roller on the trainers. It provides quiet, smooth operation and ultimate durability.

Do Bike Trainers Fit All Bikes?

Bike trainers can fit a wide range of bikes but it is your responsibility to double-check the bike trainer’s specs with your own bike specs to be sure.

Is It OK To Leave The Bike In Trainer?

Leaving the bike in the trainer for long periods should have no negative effects on your bike. This is assuming you have everything set up properly and the trainer is properly adjusted for the width of your rear axle. Also that you do release the roller from the tire.

Are Bike Trainers Worth It?

In terms of a workout, it can offer a good workout that is as good as anything you will find in a gym. The smart trainers are the best as they work with an app that provides information on your performance. If your goal is to improve your biking performance, health benefits, and burn calories, the choice is yours.

Wrapping Up

Finally, yes you can use a mountain bike on a bike trainer but you will need to check that bike trainer’s specs with your own bike specs to be sure it will properly work with your bike. If you are unsure about getting one you can get a cheap wheel-on trainer for around $60 which will give you an idea if you want to buy a more expensive bike trainer.

And that’s it for now! I’d love it if this post on can you put a mountain bike on a trainer was helpful to you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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