Frequently Asked Questions

While the Rock And Roll trainer can't be locked out completely from sagging or bouncing while riding (especially with heavier riders), there are a couple of steps you can take to minimize the sag:

1.Be sure your Rock And Roll is on firm flooring, carpet can worsen sag.

2. Loosen tension bolt closest to the bike a turn or so

3. Tighten tension bolt furthest from bike by at least an extra turn, sometimes 2 or more turns are necessary to get the sag under control

4. Finally, be sure your bike tire is centered on the roller by adjusting the left or right cone cups accordingly, this will help any leaning issues as well.

Sometimes when using your bicycle's stock skewer, you'll need to use the Small Cone Cup Adapter. If you have a cam skewer with a flat lever end that won't seat into the Small Cone Cup that comes pre-installed on all new Kinetic Trainers, you're a candidate for the adapter.

NOTE: We do still strongly recommend using the small cone cup already installed on the trainer and switching out your bicycle's stock skewer with the Kinetic skewer (part M) provided with your trainer. This is a solid and reliable combination and will prevent any unnecessary wear on your own skewer.

MOVIE LINK: If you do plan to use your stock bicycle skewer and want to use the adapter, please view this step-by-step installation video to be sure you've installed the adapter properly and your mounted bicycle on the trainer properly »

Here are a few tips to get your resistance unit smoothed out:

1. Check resistance unit mounting bolt: If the mounting bolt has vibrated loose the resistance unit can move side to side, causing a vibration

• Turn the L-bolt one full turn – the resistance unit may not he held firmly enough against the wheel
• Make sure the spring in installed on the L-bolt – the spring keeps the resistance unit tension in place

2. Check your rear wheel:

• Often, it’s the condition of the rear wheel and/or rear tire that contributes to a vibration.
• Make sure tire is fully inflated – check the side of your tire for the manufacturer’s recommended inflation.
• Look for flat spots on the surface of the tire, check for wear. Replace if necessary
• Make sure tire is properly seated on rim – make sure the tube is not bulging out of the tire
• Make sure rear wheel is true and without hops – any hops in your rim will cause a vibration while you ride
• Make sure there is no road debris on your tire.

3. Check the roller of the trainer:

• Look for flat or pitted spots – clean the roller with rubbing alcohol and a dry cloth – this will remove any rubber debris on the roller
• Make sure the bicycle is centered on the rear roller
• Make sure the bicycle is level within the trainer
• Make sure the trainer is level on the flooring

Also note: if the trainer has been dropped or the resistance unit has been impacted the shaft that runs inside the roller may be bent – rotate the flywheel by hand and watch to see if it is out of round. If so, a replacement resistance unit can be obtained through our crash replacement policy.

If after reviewing these trouble-shooting steps you are able to confirm that the trainer has not been impacted and you are still experiencing a vibration when riding please contact us with the following information:

• Trainer serial number and model
• When and where you purchased your trainer
• Your current contact information (phone, mailing address and email)

We are aware that most bicycle manufacturers will not warranty bicycles damaged by side to side torque from riding on a trainer. Our solution is the rock n roll bike trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQz_u0Vc8Os . When riding the rock n roll bike trainer the top plate moves with the bicycle – thus eliminating any stress on the rear stays or bottom bracket of the frame.

It is our understanding that bicycle frame failure from riding indoors is rather rare, but of course it is in your best interest to follow your bicycle manufacture’s advice.

Our fluid trainer works in Temperatures ranging  from -50F to +130F.

You have an external shift pod on your hub. This needs to be removed in order to attach safely and properly to a Kinetic (or any) trainer. to remove the shifter pod put the bike in 3^rd gear. Loosen the set screw on the top/back of the pod (phillips screwdriver). The pod will “pull” off the hub assembly. What remains is a flange nut and push rod. The cone cup of the trainer will fit over the push rod and onto the flange nut. Pasted below is a link to Shimano’s tech page on your hub assembly, showing a schematic breakdown of all the parts. I hope this is helpful. Please note you should not ride with the cone cup pressed onto the external shifter pod, it could break and is not stable.

The liquid noise you are hearing is the fluid inside the resistance chamber rolling against the impellers. It’s a gurgling or soft rain noise, usually only noted at lower speeds. As you pick up speed the fluid is pushed to the outer part of the chamber (where the impellers are larger) and provides increased (progressive) resistance.

Yes. Remove the skewer from your bicycle. Thread the bolt end (opposite the QR lever end) onto the threads of the skewer rod, turning it all the way in to where the threads end; then thread back off.

Repeat 3 times; the rubber grommet inside the bolt end of the skewer is stiff and needs to be softened.

Reinstall on your bicycle. If the skewer grommet does not soften enough for you to install on your bicycle safely, please contact Kinetic customer service.

MOVIE LINK: Follow this link to a step-by-step installation video »

MOVIE LINK: Follow this link to a step-by-step installation video »

The Road Machine and the Cyclone best replicate the resistance of an outdoor ride. The resistance is speed sensitive and basically follows the power formula of the outdoor ride, which is when you double your speed the resistance from the wind is cubed ot 8 times as hard.

While the Cyclone Wind Trainer has the lowest cost, it will get loud at speeds above 17 MPH. If your average speed is greater than 17 I would recommend the Road Machine Fluid Trainer. It is simply the best and you will appreciate the difference every time you ride.

The best thing to do is visit a local bike shop and test ride the various units. You can also call customer service and they can provide you with additional pre sale information to assist you in your trainer selection.

The Cyclone is the perfect high-quality entry level trainer. The resistance is speed sensitive and provides a very realistic ride. The Cyclone has the same frame as our Road Machine and uses “wind” resistance created by two fans mounted on the trainer. Because this model is our lightest and most durable trainer it works well for warm ups before races. The “wind” resistance fans do become loud when speeds exceed 17 mph. If you plan on working out indoors while watching movies or listening to music you may wish to consider our Road Machine as it is quieter than the Cyclone.

Yes. All our resistance unit mounts are identical and interchangeable. You may purchase a fluid resistance unit and upgrade your Cyclone to a Road Machine Fluid Trainer. The fluid resistance is sold as a package with the Pro Flywheel, see Pro Resistance Unit part # T-699CD.

The Kinetic Road Machine is our best selling and most widely recognized indoor trainer. With its 6.25 lb weighted flywheel, large roller and silicone filled resistance chamber this trainer is quiet, smooth and reliable. Watch this video to see what makes our resistance unit so special. This is our “go-to” machine for a high-quality realistic indoor ride. With a lifetime warranty on all our trainers, you can't beat Kinetic.

Yes, if your road machine’s serial number is larger than 76184 you upgrade to the “PRO” by adding the Kinetic PRO Flywheel, part # T-015, $89.99

Trainers with a serial number smaller than 76184 can be upgraded by purchasing an entire PRO Resistance unit, part # T-699CD, $315.99

Excellent question – by far the Road Machine is used in more indoor cycling classes than any other. Reliable, quiet, smooth and dependable. It’s the machine.

In response to dealer’s requests we have streamlined our product line. We have made the PRO 12 lb plate an accessory that can bolt onto our fluid resistance and magnetic resistance units. So now you can take any Road Machine or Rock And Roll with a serial number larger than 76184 and make them a PRO with the T-015 Pro Flywheel.

The Rock And Roll Trainer was designed to re-create the outdoor ride indoors. The side to side lateral motion this trainer provides gives you a realistic “feel” and forces you, the rider, to use your core muscle group all indoor season long. The elastic polymers that allow for the side to side motion can be tightened or loosened depending on how much play you want to ride with. Of course if you spend too much time going side to side your ride will suffer – keep your core muscles strong by pushing yourself not to sway side to side.

The resistance unit.

The Road version has our 6.25 weighted flywheel and the PRO creates the ULTIMATE indoor riding experience with our additional 12 lb “dual” flywheel. We've discontinued the Pro Trainer in 2010, but we still offer the Pro Flywheel as an accessory for all new 2010 trainers (serial numbers 76184 and higher). If you own a trainer with a serial number lower than that, you still have the option of upgrading your entire resistance unit to a Pro Resistance Unit.

No. when properly mounted on to our trainer, absolutely not. In fact, the Rock And Roll is much BETTER for your carbon fiber frame than a stationary trainer. Because the side to side motion allows the bicycle to flex with your trainer (in response to your body) there is less stress on the rear stays of your bicycle.

While we do not publish an exact limit, we encourage riders over 250 lbs to consider using a stationary trainer.

The turntable riser ring allows the front of the bicycle to “roll” side to side just as the Rock And Roll trainer allows for motion at the rear of the bicycle. While not mandatory for operation, we highly encourage you to use the turntable riser ring with each Rock And Roll ride.

Yes, but  we recommend you use a low-profile 700 x 38 tire when riding indoors – those taller 29" tires are very high-profile and may drag on the flooring when in the trainer.

Another solution is to remove your 29” rear wheel and replace it with a 26” wheel (with smooth tread tire) for indoor use only. This is particularly easy with a disc wheel, as there are no brake caliper issues.

Yes. We do recommend the Road Machine for recumbent bicycles. If your bicycle rear wheel is smaller than 26” you may require a small wheel adaptor (part # T-500) to properly fit your bicycle to a Kinetic trainer.

Yes. We do recommend the Road Machine for tandem bicycles.   

Yes, If your tricycle configuration has two wheels up front, one in back. If your bicycle rear wheel is smaller than 26” you may require a small wheel adaptor (part # T-500) to properly fit your tricycle to a Kinetic trainer.

Yes, but it will be noisy and there will be vibration. We recommend a “slick” tire when riding indoors.  Be sure to clean your tire of road debris before mounting into a Kinetic Trainer.

The serial number of your Kinetic Trainer is located on the “U” bend of the frame, just beneath the resistance unit.

Simply email us with your Kinetic Trainer serial number and your mailing address and we will see that one is sent promptly.

Please see our dealer locator.

We like to push these opportunities to our local dealers. We can support you in your request, but prefer to run the promotional money through a Local Bike Shop (LBS) My best advice is to find a LBS who sells Kinetic Products and talk to the owner. Reference this FAQ and tell the LBS that Kurt will work with them to sponsor your team. Offer to do some promotional appearances at the LBS, negotiate a discount for all team purchases made at the store and your team could find a sponsor who will make a difference. The LBS will benefit from the local press, especially if you perform well.

Norco Products is our exclusive distributor of Kinetic Products in Canada. If you are interested as to what dealers are currently distributing Kinetic Products please use the information below to contact them.

Norco Products Ltd.
1465 Kebet Way
Port Coquitlam, BC
V3C 6L3
Ph: 604-552-2940

The Kurt Kinetic PC is not compatible with any other trainer that we know of. It is specifically calibrated to fit the Kinetic Trainer and will not display accurate readings if used in conjunction with another resistance unit. Since all other trainers that we know of do not have a repeatable and measurable force curve, our Power PC will not work with any trainer besides the Kurt Kinetic.

All Kinetic Trainers are 100% compatible with any 2 wheel bikes equipped with disc brakes. If your bike has more than two wheels call and we can determined if the trainer is compatible.

No. It’s the fluid chamber alone that provides the resistance and so the resistance does not change, even with the additional 12 lb. flywheel. The extra weight of the 12 lb. flywheel is only designed to make the ride even smoother and to replicate the outdoor road ride.  Because the fluid chamber alone provides the resistance, there is no need to recalibrate the Kinetic PC when using either just the 6 lb. permanent flywheel or the additional 12 lb. flywheel.

No we are sorry but you cannot. The Pro Machine was designed specifically for use with the extra weight of the optional 12 lb. flywheel. Because of the extra weight, it requires a bigger 16mm shaft (versus the 12mm of the Road Machine) and also the Pro Machine’s 16 mm shaft is threaded to accept the attachment bolt to hold the 12 lb. flywheel in place.

Yes and no. You can use it for the basic bicycle computer functions such as speed, distance, and ride time etc. but the “Power in Watts” feature will not be accurate. The Kinetic PC is calibrated specifically to work with the resistance curve of the Kinetic Trainer and there are too many variables when riding outdoors such as wind and terrain which the Kinetic PC cannot account for and so the “Power in Watts” reading will not be accurate.

• T-725W Wired Power Computer uses a CR2032 in the head unit available online from Kinetic
• T-725WL Wireless Power Computer also uses a CR2032 in the head unit and a 12V 23AE in the speed transmitter (battery sold online with speed transmitter)
• On the original Kinetic PC T-725 (square head computer) the battery is CR1225 (available at a hardware store)

The Rock and Roll Trainer is safe for all types of bicycle frame materials. The Rock and Roll Trainer does not put any additional stress on the frame compared to regular outdoor road riding. It also puts less stress on a frame compared to a fixed position traditional trainer.