Mat for indoor trainer

For riding indoors on a trainer, does the mat underneath make a difference? I can buy a fairly cheap rubber mat that is basically a runner that one would put on carpet, or a more expensive one that is thicker from the local sporting goods store. Will I likely notice any difference between them? I used to use a different trainer in the garage and didn't think about a mat but on tile indoors I need to do something. Thanks.

Ken

On Feb 11, 10:37*am, OccasionalFlyer wrote:
* For riding indoors on a trainer, does the mat underneath make a difference? I can buy a fairly cheap rubber mat that is basically a runner that one would put on carpet, or a more expensive one that is thicker from the local sporting goods store. *Will I likely notice any difference between them? *I used to use a different trainer in the garage and didn't think about a mat but on tile indoors I need to do something. Thanks.

Ken

With ceramic tile, you should be concerned with point-loading,
particularly if you do not have a really rigid sub-floor. If I had
any concerns about the rigidity of the floor or the durability of the
tile, I would rip some plywood to put under the trainer and put the
plywood on something to protect the tile, like a simple vinyl
runner.

-- Jay Beattie.

Op 11-2-2013 19:37, OccasionalFlyer schreef:
For riding indoors on a trainer, does the mat underneath make a difference? I can buy a fairly cheap rubber mat that is basically a runner that one would put on carpet, or a more expensive one that is thicker from the local sporting goods store. Will I likely notice any difference between them? I used to use a different trainer in the garage and didn't think about a mat but on tile indoors I need to do something. Thanks.

Ken


http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/resistance-trainer/product/review-lemond-fitness-revolution-trainer-including-shimano-105-cassette-42699#user_reviews

Lou

On Monday, February 11, 2013 1:37:10 PM UTC-5, OccasionalFlyer wrote:
For riding indoors on a trainer, does the mat underneath make a difference? I can buy a fairly cheap rubber mat that is basically a runner that one would put on carpet, or a more expensive one that is thicker from the local sporting goods store. Will I likely notice any difference between them? I used to use a different trainer in the garage and didn't think about a mat but on tile indoors I need to do something. Thanks.



Ken

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HOME DEPOT may sell runners/foam backers and underlayment or plywood.

Thanks for all this input. The tile in our condo is on a concrete slab but I hadn't thought about load on the tiles. I was only thinking of protecting those from being scratched or something. This is very helpful. There's no carpet anywhere, as the previous owner smoked and tore out the rug in order to sell the unit.

Ken

On Feb 11, 8:31*pm, OccasionalFlyer wrote:
Thanks for all this input. *The tile in our condo is on a concrete slab but I hadn't thought about load on the tiles.

Shouldn't be an issue unless the tile setter was incompetent... so
it's likely to be an issue if your building is newer than ~1970, when
the last of the journeymen tile setters were driven from the biz by
fiberglass shower/tub inserts.

Today, if you have hands and legs and eyes, you're already a tile
setter, so you got that going for you...
-----

- gpsman