Road Cycling - rollers advice

I am planning to buy rollers. Anyone have suggestions about size of drums, aluminum vs PVC drums (are the PVC drums durable?), brand, usefullness of the magnetic resistance units (e.g. nashbar), used vs new? Any other advice wellcome. Thanks.

If money is no object, buy Kreitler rollers. They are the Rolls-Royce of rollers. My understanding is that you can purchase resistance units to go with Kreitlers.

until you ride rollers, and decide that you like
them I'd go with used. e-bay usually has
them for good price. I'd stick to Minoura, Tacx,
Nashbar or other well known brand. Of course
I agree with SteveE (hey he rides Serotta!) that
Kreitler are the best, albeit pricey.
One person (very knowledgable) told me the
only reason to have al drums is if you want
something that can dent. Alot of folks state that
PVC actually give more road feel.
Smaller drums = more resistance.
as for resistance units, I wouldn't touch em,
its hard enough to ride rollers without the
added pain of resistance. The only one I would
remotely consider is the Kreitler Killer headwind.
FWIW I generally ride 4 hour rollers a week, more
when the weather is bad (including 100+ degrees
and ozone ).
Marty

I own a set of the Performance brand rollers with their spun aluminum drums. I wouldn't recommend them. On the first set a bearing went bad on one of the drums after only a few months of use. To their credit, Performance gave me a new set without any hassle, but I now think that the replacement set has a bearing going as well.

I would recommend aluminum over PVC, they simply ride nicer.

Originally posted by lotek
I agree with SteveE (hey he rides Serotta!)

Well, same to you pal! :) How's the build coming along?

I am having a blast.
Have most of it finished, just doing final wheel
build and then have to glue tires. . .

Now if I can just convince the wife that
i NEED an Ottrot, no wait a CSI or Hors,
or Legend would be fine
dbrk has me interested in Pegoretti
like I say "Indecision . . ."

Marty

I been around the world on rollers. 24,000 plus miles in the last five years. I've used four different brands.

A couple of things to take note:

Rollers with bigger bearings last longer, I should know I've changed a lot of 'em.

You don't really need resistance doo-dads, just let the air out of your tires. I use front 50, rear 80 for resistance. (old tires)

Cheaps fans, a stereo and headphones will keep you rolling along.

I use Kreitler rollers with the Killer Headwind Fan (so aptly named) and love them. They have done wonders for my riding skills and fitness level. They are rock solid and very quiet and you won't have to worry about them falling apart or warping like the PVC rollers.

The headwind fan is a must, as the resistance is needed on rollers and the fan helps you to stay cool at the same time.

If you want to know more email me and I'll tell you anything you want to know about them.

Check out my saying under my name!!! (No, I am not affiliated in anyway with Kreitler, I just love 'em!)

Hey, I must be a total ****...I bought some PVC rollers from Nashbar, they seem like pretty good quality...

But...

I am having a real hard time balancing. I thought it would be just like riding down the street. It's more like trying to ride a unicycle!

I have to hold on to the wall, pedal like a lunitic and try to keep from crashing...

Was it like this for you guys?

.....Richard

:beer:

Do you know hot to setup the rollers for your bike?

No.

Originally posted by Richard_Rides

I am having a real hard time balancing. I thought it would be just like riding down the street. It's more like trying to ride a unicycle!

I have to hold on to the wall, pedal like a lunitic and try to keep from crashing...
Richard,

Riding Rollers isn't that difficult a task but you
have to set up correct.
From the Kreitler site

. In setting them up, be sure to properly adjust the front roller drum to fit your bike. The axle of the front roller should be just forward of the axel of the front wheel of your bicycle (not to exceed 3/4").
If you don't get this right your steering will be really
squirrely. I have mine adjusted so front axel is about
1/4 inch behind center of axel.
Check out Kreitler Roller Tips (http://www.kreitler.com/rolltips.htm) for more tips.
The big thing is RELAX. the more I put a death grip
on the bars the easier it is to lose control, let the bike
find its track. and Yes it is easier as speed increases
(centrifical force?), below say 10 mph is kinda unstable.
Hope this helps,
Marty

Whoop! Whoop!

OK, I did what you said and now I am the ROLLER KING! My front roller was originally 1.5 inches behind my front axel, so this morning I adjusted it about 3/4 to 1 inch in front of my front axel and it made all the difference in the world.

I put the rollers in the doorway and rode for 30 minutes, only had to put an elbow against the door frame twice. Once I relaxed my grip and fixed my gaze about 12 feet in front, I was able to really enjoy it.

Now I'm happy, but I know what you guys mean when you say "learning rollers", I see there is much room for improvement, but thanks to Lotek and Mr. Cranium I am on my way...

Whoop! Whoop!

...........Richard


:) :D

Richard,

Congratulations!
I found riding in doorway a bit too restrictive and
claustrophobic, I figured if I was gonna go over I
didn't want the walls there to get in the way.
I'm set up next to a Kitchen bar height counter,
makes it easy to reach water, towels etc. I use a
stool to assist initial mounting of bike.
I still can't ride em without hands more than a
second or two, I get too tense and start
wobbling. I can drink, or towel off, and thats
fine with me.
I've got to say they are some of the best
$50 I spent.

Marty

I am now the forum's newest member of the "rollers club"....

I have no problem at all riding with the rollers set up in a doorway, but I have no idea how I'm going to be able to start using em with no support whatsoever. When I slow down to get off, I HAVE to use the wall to support me before I unclip. I can't just unclip and put my feet down, because the drums suspend the bike 3-4 more inches off the ground, so I have no standover clearance.

What do you guys do to get onto and off of the rollers without using support?

I am always next to a wall when I use my rollers. I keep mine in the basement so I have always had a wall to rely on.

I have used rollers for a long time. I broke my first collar bone while strapped in trying to learn (before clippless pedals). I have tacx rollers and I they work great. They have lasted forever (maybe 12 years).

Everyone who races should ride rollers in the winter because it teaches you to ride a very smooth straight line.

My favorite setup was my fixed gear and a magnetic resistance unit. I blew out the mag unit last winter so I have to try and fix it now.

Fixed gear on rollers really develops your spin!!!

I hate rollers because of the boredom but they are a necessary evil.

Originally posted by deliriou5
I can't just unclip and put my feet down, because the drums suspend the bike 3-4 more inches off the ground, so I have no standover clearance.

What do you guys do to get onto and off of the rollers without using support?

I have been riding Kreitler rollers now for about 7 years, what I usually do for mount/dismount is set an old folding chair (or a 5 gal. bucket with a little weight in it so it doesn't slide around) next to them, place my left foot on the seat of the chair, mount the bike and clip in with my right foot, pedal and go. When I want to get off, I just release my left foot from the pedal and slide it over on the the chair. ;)

I use one of those plastic milk crates the grocery store uses. You know the ones that everyone was using for LP's before CD's took over the world. They are the perfect height and fairly sturdy. Most stores will sell you one for $1 or $2.

I use a single step stool next to the roller,
and yeah I have no standover while on the rollers.
its a stretch to even stand on the frame when the bikes
on the rollers.
As I've said I ride where I have a handhold (counter)
next to me on one side, stool on the other.
works really well for me, but is a bit cramped if I start to
go over. I found out I can unclip my Speedplays REALLY fast
when going over on rollers.
Single speed on rollers, now that sounds like fun

Marty

ok... so even roller "veterans" use something for support...

looks like i'll be a "veteran" in about a week or so....

haha just kidding ;)

I may be a veteran, but I ain't stoopid :D

Marty