General Cycling Discussion - Rollers VS. Trainer....(again)

OK, before everyone breaks out the wet noodle, i have searched and read dozens of posts on rollers versus trainers. However, I have still have some questions. First of all i didn't post this in the training and nutrition forum because i don't really feel like i am training for anything and i certainly don't plan on eating my trainer/rollers. :D

I just like to ride every day and have ridden nearly every day for over 1 year. (6000+ miles on my Mountain Bikes. Yeah!!!) I am not really training for anything like i said, but i do have a goal of riding or at least being on my bike every day, if possible, at least for a period of time. I know i will lose some saddle time because of the weather and am only interested in finding something that will most accurately replicate an actual ride when i can't actually ride.

I plan to ride through the winter again this year. Last year i probably missed 10 days the entire winter. Those days there was simply too much snow/ice on the road. So obviously i am not afraid of the cold, acutally i kind of enjoy it. (sometimes) I plan to set up a trainer or rollers in my garage where it will also be cold and ride the rollers/trainer when the road is not conducive to me riding.

I don't want to spend much in terms of money. I consider my budget for this item to be less than $150 inculding buying some inexpensive MTB slicks. For those of you that are well versed in trainers/rollers and have suffered through this post, what can you offer to help me choose??? Any help would be appreciated.

Trainers are more popular. Do you need to know what I like? Rollers! I never tried a trainer though and I don't plan to because I'm not in a quandry about trainers. You need to try both because you don't know what you prefer and nobody else knows what you prefer.

I have both rollers and trainers. I like them both for different reasons.

I’m not going to get into them here though, because for $150 you won’t be able to buy a decent set of rollers—whatever plastic-drum rollers you might be able to find out there at this price are going to be such a POS that it’s not worth your time. I think there are some decent wind trainers near this price point, though I’m not really sure as I spent a little more than this on mine.

Supergo has rollers for $129. They don't look plastic in the photo. I never tried plastic rollers, I hear they suck.

I could be wrong. It’s been a long time since I actually priced rollers out. Back then it seemed like all the metal rollers were $300 and up.

I don't know either, I found mine at the curb on trash day. they are metal and a fun way to work out, what's wrong w plastic rollers? Nashbar has pvc rollers for $125. The supergo ones look shiney in the catalog, check before buying to make sure they are metal.

Pssh I got my performance fluid trainer for 99 bucks. I still think they are on sale as well. Tag that along with a coupon from them and you can get out for around 95 or so. Just shop around

I've read (not direct experience) that the Nashbar/performace $150 non pvc rollers
are not worth it, bad bearings etc.
Tacx has metal rollers for less than $200 and I've ridden them, they are ok.
Cyclops has rollers, about the same price, given the history I've had with
cyclops I would not hesitate to recommend them (the company). I've only been
on their rollers for about 1/2 hour (maybe), they're ok, nothing special.
I have Minoura 4 1/2 inch Alu drum rollers, paid a whopping $50 for them
(e-bay) and they are easy to use, and mostly smooth.
I've been on PVC rollers and they just don't feel right, noisier than Alu too.
Got money to burn? buy Kreitler they are the best available. However,
given the little time you plan on spending on them (10 times per year) I would
go for a cheaper model. If you think you are going to use them more often (I'm on
mine daily at 4am regardless of what road riding I do later in the day) go with
the kreitlers.

I did a quick check of e-bay, Minoura Action rollers are going for about $150 (most have
buy it now of 145). Kreitler challenger (4 1/2 inch) about $200, and the dynomite, dynolytes
etc. going for upwards of $300.
Given the onslaught of winter (snowed in Utah last night) they are gonna get more
expensive. I'd act quick before everyone and their dog wants rollers/trainer.


Marty

Lotek, I've been riding an indoor Performance fluid resistance trainer for a couple of years. I'm considering adding a set of rollers. I'm confused as to whether or not to get a set of rollers that have a resistance unit or not. Is there sufficient resistance created from the rollers themselves? What's your thoughts? Or any one who has some experience on this I'd like some advice.

Another thought, this one away from cost -- think about the time it is going to take you to get used to riding rollers. I bought rollers (Kreitler on Ebay -- $175) last February and I have yet to put a full workout in on them. They take some getting used to. After 10-15 minutes I usually switch over to my resistance trainer. The good thing about rollers, once you get used to riding them, is that you can add a resistance unit or fan to the rollers.

I wouldn't put the thought of "cheap" rollers out of your mind yet. If they are inexpensive enough, then the money you spend on them might be worth finding out if you are going to like rollers. Down the line, you could spend the extra money on a nice set of Kreitlers.

Another thought, this one away from cost -- think about the time it is going to take you to get used to riding rollers. I bought rollers (Kreitler on Ebay -- $175) last February and I have yet to put a full workout in on them. They take some getting used to. After 10-15 minutes I usually switch over to my resistance trainer. The good thing about rollers, once you get used to riding them, is that you can add a resistance unit or fan to the rollers.

I wouldn't put the thought of "cheap" rollers out of your mind yet. If they are inexpensive enough, then the money you spend on them might be worth finding out if you are going to like rollers. Down the line, you could spend the extra money on a nice set of Kreitlers.

If you switch over to the resistance trainer after 10-15 minutes, it would seem like you would recommend a resistance trainer over the rollers although you don't. I am confused. :o

If you switch over to the resistance trainer after 10-15 minutes, it would seem like you would recommend a resistance trainer over the rollers although you don't. I am confused. :o

I am confused as to why you are confused :rolleyes: I switch over to the resistance trainer after 10-15 minutes because I am so bad on the rollers that I am not getting a good workout. However, if you read my post it doesn't seem like I am recommending a resistance trainer over rollers -- actually, I would think the opposite. I do recommend adding a resistance unit (Kreitler has a fan that can be added to their rollers) to rollers, but only after you get used to the rollers. Most people I know that ride rollers make the same recommendation.

I hope that solves your confusion. If that doesn't help, try riding rollers and falling off the rollers. That may shake you up enough to clear the clouds.