I was just relaying what I heard at specialized by all of the warranty guys, and they were all dead serious when they were telling me (and showing me the results). These guys aren’t afraid to badmouth specialized (such as saying they don’t like roval wheels, etc) but they were all in agreement that you shouldn’t ride carbon bikes in trainers. I mean, their explanation makes sense to me, as a non-engineer, but by all means do whatever you want. I don’t ride a carbon bike (yet) and I don’t really ride trainers, so I don’t really have to worry about it.
What Ben said is also on their website in the FAQ section although not in any official paperwork.
I still stick by my assessment that it is BS but I would absolutely keep the company “policy” in mind when using your bike.
I’ve just lost some respect for a company the size of spec refusing to have one of their engineers answer the question flat out instead of coming up with a mealy-mouth response.
It strikes me that something is foul when you’ve got no official paperwork or major warnings on the bike against trainer use but frames are apparently failing (who knows at what rate) as a result.
Speaking of 12 hour cycling epics… I will cook a steak for whoever on the team rides a trainer through the entire extended Lord of the Rings back to back.
sounds like a challenge
john?
Hahahah, well, i’m not doing it back to back, but incrementally 
Don’t worry, i don’t want steak.
all three?
All three.
wow, this sounds like a party in the making right here.
What will you make me if I do it on my rollers?
It’s only 11hrs and 20min…probably only 11hrs if you cut out the credits.
Full plate? Steak, roasted potato, grilled veggies?
do we get all that after completion, or some during?
All immediately after. Note: if any of you are actually serious about this let me know in advance, and it will happen. If everyone does it at once, you can all just bugger off, I’m not buying/grilling twenty steaks for trainer-loving masochists.
personally, I have NO interest in doing this, but I would love to come and watch for the “eleventh hour”, so to speak.
Yes! Trainer party at the rec. We need cheerleaders on the side to feed us every 45 min though and possibly some catheters.
Not to kick a dead horse but I emailed Jamis Friday just to see about their warranty with cracked frames due to the trainer and whatnot.
"Chris,
Thank you for your inquiry to JAMIS BICYCLES dated February 4, 2010 regarding your question about using our Xenith Series models on an indoor trainer. We must inform you that we do not void the warranty of a bicycle just because it has been used on a trainer nor do we believe that a carbon frame should not be used on one. As long as the bicycle is properly secured to the trainer without over tightening the mounts onto the dropout area, you should be able to use our carbon models on the trainer without any issues. We understand that training indoors is an important part of riding for those who are not able to enjoy beautiful weather year round. We hope that you are enjoying the performance and ride quality of our Xenith Series and if you have any other questions about this or anything else feel free to contact us again.
Yours very truly,
JAMIS SUPPORT"
What a fantastic comp.
Specialized says:
High performance carbon road bikes are a really bad idea on indoor trainers. The fixing of the rear chainstays in one place and the biting of the clamp creates all kinds of twisting forces from odd angles, that can, over time, be really bad for a lightweight frame.
Our bikes withstand some amazing torture tests in the lab. However we really can’t recommend it with a clear conscience. Have we heard of people doing it? yes. But we have also heard of people breaking their bikes, and being quite upset when their warranty claim is denied.
What I do for my own winter training is I have an old steel “winter rat” bike that does double duty as my awful weather ride, and that lives on the trainer in the winter.
good luck!
From their warranty
This limited warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, nor to be claimed defects, malfunctions or failures that result from […] or misuse. This bicycle or frameset has not been designed, engineered, distributed, manufactured, or retailed for uses in trick riding […] riding with heavy loads, commercial activities, or any similar activities; such uses may damage the bicycle, can cause serious injury to the rider, and in all cases will void this warranty.
The warranty, as Jason says, doesn’t say the word trainer once and only by asking the company could you determine that trainer use is “misuse”. I’m going to go ahead and call this “rude”.
Nybom which zenith do you have? The SL is shit hot. Yup John, that’s the conclusion I came to, you C&P’ed that blurb from their FAQ right?
Yea I have the SL with full Red groupo.
Damn…so uh where do you live again? J)
Please tell me you didn’t pay retail for it either…
God no. Sponsors fa sho.