slowandsteady

Okay so for anyone out there too chicken to buy a set of rollers I am here to tell you that they really aren't that hard to master. I got a set of rollers (performance aluminum) for Christmas and got around to using them yesterday. I set them up next to a counter top at about saddle height and close enough that my knee would brush the cabinets it if I should stray off to the right, but not enough to actually fall off the rollers. Crashing off to the left however, was a real possibility that fortunately never materialized. I also set up a small step stool on the left to help me get on and off the bike.

How I got on: I placed the bike in a middle gear onto the rollers and then mounted using the step stool and one hand on the counter top.

Equipment: My Fuji Road bike with 700x 23 Conti GP 4000

At first I tried to wear regular sneakers but found that clipping in was actually much more stable. After 10 minutes I felt comfortable enough to ride with both hands on the bars. At first I could only do 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time. After 15 minutes I could watch TV quite easily and was able to do 5-10 minute intervals without using the counter for support.

Some things I noticed:

Keeping a relaxed grip on the bars make the bike track straight with little need for correction. Death grip is a bad thing and forces overcorrection.

I was in a middle gear 36 x 13t to start.

Plenty of resistance at least for me.....

Don't think too much! Just relaxed my mind and upper body and rode as if I were on the street.

Looked ahead about 5 feet to avoid over correction. But after 15 minutes on the rollers I could look down at the wheel or computer with no ill effects.

No need to use the brake, just stop pedaling and I would stop within seconds.

12 mph was the lower limit for stability with 14 mph + being quite stable.

No mashing! Not that I am a masher, but a cadence of ~80 seemed to be the lower limit for stability.

Immediate and obvious feedback on pedal stroke. I already began to improve the fluidity of the stroke by the end of 20 minutes.

Must get a fan!

Fun. Yes, they were actually fun. The added challenge of having to maintain my line made them exponentially more fun than riding a stationary bike and almost as fun as actually riding on the road. Plus the added satisfaction that I am not only working aerobically, but improving my handling skills. Being able to watch TV or listen to music was another added benefit as well as not being far from family.

I am definitely not ready for no handed one leg drills, but I feel confident that after a total of just 35 minutes on the rollers that I can ride them without crashing. Though, as with clipless, I am sure I will crash at least once due to a lack of concentration or a stray cat or something. All in all, it was much, much easier to "master" than I had anticipated. That said, the first 5 minutes felt as though it would take me a good week or two before I could go without the counter top, but after just a couple minutes more, I was fine.

VosBike

I had a similar expierence with my first time on rollers.

First 5 minutes you're saying to yourself "I will never be able to ride these, no one can seriously train on these"

and within 20 minutes it becomes second nature

'nother

Ditto here, I just posted a similar thread yesterday along these same lines. Though a lot of people summed that up saying a lot of it depends on whether you have good balance to begin with. I have ridden a stationary trainer a few times and I find the rollers a lot more engaging...you do need to concentrate on what you're doing a bit more.

tubescreamerx

Rollers are pretty fun in the beginning, but after a while of using them for indoor training, you'll realize that there's only so much fun you can have indoors when you're not actually going anywhere. I prefer rollers to a trainer, but at the end of a rollers workout, I still feel like I've cheated by not riding outside. Don't worry though, I've only ridden rollers for about 15 hours and I can ride no-hands for about 30 seconds.

kk4df

Rollers are a lot of fun to ride initially. But outside is still a lot more fun, even on the very cold mornings. At first, I used the rollers because they were "new" and "fun", at least until I got used to riding them. But after a few weeks, I realized that I enjoy the outdoor rides more. I ride outside, even on the very cold mornings, and use the rollers on the wet and rainy mornings.

But honestly, the rollers are an excellent workout, and they really do smooth out your pedal stroke. I have a Spinervals DVD that I use when riding rollers now, and that really gives me a great workout and helps me ride longer without getting bored.

'nother

Yeah, I think this effect is inherent to pretty much any kind of indoor training. Sometimes you don't have much choice, though...and I'd rather ride inside than not ride at all.

Chad4yew

Takes a while to master rollers like this guy has:

https://teamchainreaction.com/video/h...ands_1_leg.wmv



One foot = Okay
No hands = Crash
(for me)

Can anyone do these? And if so, how long did it take you to get your balance?

jamiewilson3

I can do 1 handed no problem and no hands for a few seconds. The best thing for me on rollers is to use my tri/TT bike. Down in the aerobars, if you move around, the bike sways. It is the best way that I have found to get a smooth spin. Far more sensitive than just the road bike. Try it!

'nother

Yeah, that's cool! I don't doubt that it takes a long time to master rollers. But my point, and I think slowandsteady's point is, everyone makes out like it's hard just to get *started* with rollers...and I don't think that's necessarily true for everyone. I would love to work my way up to no hands/one leg. A buddy of mine does outdoor one hand/one leg (opposite sides) drills, that would also be a good challenge for the rollers.

slowandsteady

And that was my point. They weren't as hard as I thought they would be and I was able to be reasonably steady after just a few minutes. So if anyone was too chicken to buy a set, don't be. They aren't really that hard. Though I used the word master, I certainly don't claim to be able to do anything more than just ride and not crash, which doesn't really mean master. I have seen the videos of people riding no handed doing one leg drills. I am definitely no where near being able to do that.....but I will definitely try.

Bolo Grubb

very similar for me. I just got my rollers on Tuesday and rode them for the very first time that same evening.

Had to adjust them to get the front wheel lined up according to the instructions. Took maybe 5 minutes to do that.

after a troubled start, I made 2 miles on the rollers without falling or reaching for the wall. I feel pretty good about that.

Average heart rate for that 2 miles was 151 and took about 7 minutes.

I think I am going to like roller workouts. Even though the weather is good enough here to ride outside most days, I think I will use the rollers on a regular basis so I can improve my form and get better at riding rollers.

steaktaco

I hate it. I will never try it.

steaktaco

ok maybe with a mattress on each side.

cbaronzzi

I have been riding rollers for two winters now. I have the big (I think 3 inch) pvc rollers. I love them. However, I would be SHOCKED if everyone who has much time on rollers has not fallen off them...at least twice. Even if you are careful at first and manage not to fall for the first few rides, you will get comfortable on them and then one day, someone will walk into the room and you will look over to the side...or you will be watching tv and someone on TV will walk to the edge of the screen and BANG, you are on the floor. But, that just makes rollers more interesting.

I just bought my first trainer (a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine) yesterday and thought it would be good for adding resistance to my usual regimine of roller riding. My opinion may be premature but after two rides on the KK I think I wasted my money. It is a GREAT piece of equipment but it doesn't seem to do anything the rollers don't do....except that I guess I can do some sprints out of the saddle and maybe push my intervals a little harder. I never realized how much resistance my rollers really provided. If I had to choose to give one up, I would keep the rollers I think. That trainer is efn boring.

VegaVixen

I've been too scared to try rollers!

But with all this great input, I'm startin' to rethink that position.

Thanks for posting this thread, S&S, and thanks for all the great posts, guys! I may just work up the courage to get rollers, too. Then at least I'd have the choice of trainer or rollers when riding indoors.

Slice2

Rollers are great. You might find the big ring better/easier, plus avoids the 36x13 X-chaining. I normally warm up in 50x19, and then up through the gearset after 15 mins. Also keep an eye out for fast tread wear on the rear Conti - I returned my Performance rollers due to extreme tire wear on my rear Conti from the 'ring'-type machining on the drum. It wore a flat spot around the tire after just one session.