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I have an older mountain bike. I need to change the rear skewer so I can use an indoor trainer, but I don't think there is one. What do I do?

I have a CycleOps Mag trainer and they included a skewer to replace the one that is supposed to be on the bike.

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  • Do you mean your bike has an axle held on with nuts?
    – mikes
    Jul 16, 2015 at 20:22
  • Welcome to Bicycles @Lyndse. Can you be more specific about how your bike is meant to attach to the trainer?
    – andy256
    Jul 16, 2015 at 22:53
  • Right, there is an axle held on with nuts. I have a CycleOps Mag trainer and they included a skewer to replace the one that is supposed to be on the bike. I thought maybe my bike is just old, but I looked at some new bikes yesterday and noticed they don't have a rear skewer, either.
    – Lyndse
    Jul 17, 2015 at 13:02
  • i figured it out. can't take the axle out..too expensive to have it changed out..
    – Lyndse
    Jul 21, 2015 at 13:44
  • 2
    I have used the nut style axle to attach to a BIKEMATE indoor trainer from Aldi. It worked without any problems and is very secure. My wife loves the new piece of gym equip.
    – Dan
    Jan 27, 2019 at 1:22

1 Answer 1

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The point of the quick release skewer they give you with a trainer is generally to prevent damage to your fancy skewer already on your bike, and make sure the trainer can grip onto the axle properly. If you have a quick release system, you should use the provided skewer.

If you have a thru axle like a Maxle, you may need to buy a special adapter.

If you have a classic nutted axle (which you most likely have), you can generally use it directly in the trainer, but you may want to double check with the trainer manufacturer.

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  • The provided skewer is often heavier steel, to replace a lighter-weight alloy skewer that you'd want to keep for real riding. The trainers tend to marr the end of the skewer with clamping pressures.
    – Criggie
    Jan 27, 2019 at 18:51

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