Road Cycling - Roller questions.......

Yes, it is spring and everyone should be out riding. So I bought a set of rollers at the end of winter and want to get used to them before next winter. So I have some questions. I have been able to ride for 1/2 hour without crashing so I guess I am progressing.

1. My arms are more tired than my legs when finished? I have to do alot of steering correction while on the rollers and man are my arms/hands shot at the end of a session. Is this normal?

2. What tire pressure do you use when on rollers? I have been setting it at 95-100 psi.

3. How the heck do you get up and clipped in without the use of a wall or something? I have them positioned with something to hang on while getting started but I can not figure out how to get going without hanging on to something. Any advice. When I stop I kind of do a track stand and can get down ok. I have tired to get going in the same manner with no luck.

1) It's normal when you first start.
2) Pressure and resistance are inversely correlated. So, high pressure for low resistance, and vice versa.
3) Start in your biggest gear (53x11 for me). Stomp down, clip in, sit down.

1. Not normal.

2. I run at the same pressure as on the road.

3. Some people can but probably not many. I just make sure I am near something I can hold until I am up to speed. Since I primarily use it warming up for races, that's usually the trunk of my car.

Oh yeah, go to Youtube and search for "stupid roller tricks" :D

1. Not normal.

2. I run at the same pressure as on the road.

3. Some people can but probably not many. I just make sure I am near something I can hold until I am up to speed. Since I primarily use it warming up for races, that's usually the trunk of my car.

this sounds about right.

I agree with umd.

One of the big benefits of getting rollers was that it really helped see the unseen problems of how I fit on my bikes. I always thought some of the discomfort was "the price you pay". I was constantly fidgeting on long rides, adjusting for this or that pain. With rollers, a few wrenches, a few cheap stems and patience, I was able to get a much more comfortable set up.

i'm never comfortable on rollers.

probably because the rear wheel perpetually sits lower than the front wheel.

i'm never comfortable on rollers.

probably because the rear wheel perpetually sits lower than the front wheel.

:twitchy:

:twitchy:

think about it: you've got a front wheel that sits on one roller, and a rear wheel cradled between two rollers. The height difference isn't a big delta, but it's there.

I've also empirically confirmed this by leveling the saddle while the bike was next to the rollers, then checking the saddle once on the rollers. Sure enough, the nose was higher.

think about it: you've got a front wheel that sits on one roller, and a rear wheel cradled between two rollers. The height difference isn't a big delta, but it's there.

I've also empirically confirmed this by leveling the saddle while the bike was next to the rollers, then checking the saddle once on the rollers. Sure enough, the nose was higher.

correct.

what can I say - i have a sensitive prick.

As you get used to ride rollers and gain some confidence you will relax and all those symptoms will go away. For me after first 10-15 hours on rollers I was as comfortable as on the road.
Regarding starting - I usually put a chair with a high back next to the rollers ~10 inches from my handlebars and start with one hand on this chair to start pedaling. As soon as I start pedaling I move my hand on handlebars. But I would recommend to ride in a doorway until you get comfortable on them.
And a word of advice - no matter how comfortable you are on rollers, do not watch an action movie on a big screen during your ride :twitchy:

don't watch a bike race either.