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[Closed] Smart trainer - does wheel size matter?

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Topic starter
 

If I'm using a wheel on smart trainer and swap bikes on it am I right thinking wheel size won't matter for zwift?


 
Posted : 01/10/2019 10:07 pm
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Not on its own, but assuming one is a road bike and the other is an mtb you will probably get different power numbers due to the tyre/roller interface.


 
Posted : 01/10/2019 10:18 pm
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It's for my wife to use, she wants to use the folding bike on it as it's got a saddle like a comfy chair, easier to swap bikes on it than swap saddle on my bike for her.


 
Posted : 01/10/2019 10:32 pm
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Yup should work fine then, although I find turbo trainers generally need to be faster (higher geared) than normal bikes. So small wheeled bikes may struggle.


 
Posted : 02/10/2019 7:35 am
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As long as the trainer will adjust to fit both wheel sizes you'd be fine in theory. I guess your other option is a comfy saddle on a separate seatpost, then all you have to do is swap seatpost / saddle as a unit - measure the length of exposed seatpost or mark with tape maybe.


 
Posted : 02/10/2019 7:38 am
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I thought Zwift assumed a certain wheel size (700x23?) for some calculations. Not sure what difference it actually makes though.


 
Posted : 02/10/2019 8:11 am
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Can you adjust it to fit?

My old normal Tacx trainer could be swapped between 26" & 700c wheels, but there wasn't enough adjustment to swap between them without taking the frame apart & fitting some spacers to move the resistance mechanism.

I seem to remember that the power calibration is set-up for a 23c tyre as mentioned above. But, this will just mean the numbers are a bit off, I suppose.


 
Posted : 02/10/2019 9:55 am