Roller Convert
#1
You got Madoned!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 1,728
Bikes: 2006 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Roller Convert
Well I sold my trainer and bought some rollers. I am officially converted. The rollers are so much fun. It took a litte getting used to, but after about 15 minutes I was able to ride with no hands and all that.
/Just sharing.
/Just sharing.
#3
You got Madoned!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 1,728
Bikes: 2006 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by botto
post of the day.
#4
elitist jerk
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Blow - hio
Posts: 4,187
Bikes: CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just an FYI to anyone adding addition tension to rollers via towel, garments, etc. It needs to be non-flammable and have a high melt point. I burnt up a smallish (what I thought was cotton) blanket last week. A minute into the spin and the smell of smoke
Last edited by daytonian; 01-08-07 at 07:13 PM.
#5
semifreddo amartuerer
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 4,599
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Cool. I am a new roller guy myself. Never used trainers much but did not like them much when I did. The rollers are definitely more interesting.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 759
Bikes: Cannondale Super Six 1, Cannondale F29er 1, Cannondale XTJ, Guru Pista, Lemond Limoge
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I also love my rollers. Mag unit on the way so I'm not cauterizing family towels
#7
Duathlete
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1,156
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+1
I love mine - a more engaging workout and it really has accelerated my n00b skillz. I also like a mag resistance unit.
I love mine - a more engaging workout and it really has accelerated my n00b skillz. I also like a mag resistance unit.
#8
half man - half sheep
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Big Mineral arm - Lake Texoma (Pottsboro, Tx)
Posts: 2,469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by indygreg
+1
I also like a mag resistance unit.
I also like a mag resistance unit.
Me too, if I could figure out what to get that will work with the Performance rollers I bought.
#9
You got Madoned!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 1,728
Bikes: 2006 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Update: Here is a pic of the Madone resting on the rollers.
#11
You got Madoned!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 1,728
Bikes: 2006 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by botto
any plans on cutting down your steerer anytime soon?
#12
semifreddo amartuerer
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 4,599
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by Doggus
Me too, if I could figure out what to get that will work with the Performance rollers I bought.
But, I'm thinking it would probably be possible to use a resistance unit for nearly any roller set. Might require a little finagling to get it mounted but it can't be all that complicated.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 7,481
Bikes: Too many to list!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I really need to get some rollers. The trainer is like torture, but I know that I will need some inside riding this year. Hmmmmmm ... now I'm starting to gett excited.
#14
You got Madoned!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 1,728
Bikes: 2006 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by bac
I really need to get some rollers. The trainer is like torture, but I know that I will need some inside riding this year. Hmmmmmm ... now I'm starting to gett excited.
#15
Faster but still slow
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jersey
Posts: 5,978
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I am loving my rollers(performance) too. I actually look forward to riding inside and knowing it will improve my spin and handling skills.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 2,275
Bikes: Cervelo Soliost
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just added the Krietler Killer Headwind unit to my rollers and damn what a difference. It was a god workout and the lowest setting and the fan blowing in my face was awesome. I was sweating much less.
#17
semifreddo amartuerer
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 4,599
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by djbowen1
I just added the Krietler Killer Headwind unit to my rollers and damn what a difference. It was a god workout and the lowest setting and the fan blowing in my face was awesome. I was sweating much less.
#18
Designer
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,368
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
How easy is it to crash on your rollers?... I imagine myself getting the rear wheel to fall off the roller sending me head on into my TV set ala Rodney Dangerfield...
What also happens if you turn your front wheel while riding?
What also happens if you turn your front wheel while riding?
__________________
#19
You got Madoned!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
Posts: 1,728
Bikes: 2006 Trek Madone 5.2 SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by steppinthefunk
How easy is it to crash on your rollers?... I imagine myself getting the rear wheel to fall off the roller sending me head on into my TV set ala Rodney Dangerfield...
What also happens if you turn your front wheel while riding?
What also happens if you turn your front wheel while riding?
If you turn your front wheel... see above.
#20
half man - half sheep
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Big Mineral arm - Lake Texoma (Pottsboro, Tx)
Posts: 2,469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 'nother
If you're talking about the TravelTrac/Technique Pro Alloy folding rollers....in the manual they mention a mag resistance unit. I was interested in this as well but they don't list it on the Performance site. I contacted customer support and they said it would not be available until March.
But, I'm thinking it would probably be possible to use a resistance unit for nearly any roller set. Might require a little finagling to get it mounted but it can't be all that complicated.
But, I'm thinking it would probably be possible to use a resistance unit for nearly any roller set. Might require a little finagling to get it mounted but it can't be all that complicated.
Do you know who you talked to? I called shortly after reading your post. When I called a month ago, I got the same story I got this morning: no more resistance units for this roller. I talked with someone in Customer Service who then called someone else. I need a straight answer on this, or look for options.
#21
half man - half sheep
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Big Mineral arm - Lake Texoma (Pottsboro, Tx)
Posts: 2,469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by steppinthefunk
How easy is it to crash on your rollers?... I imagine myself getting the rear wheel to fall off the roller sending me head on into my TV set ala Rodney Dangerfield...
What also happens if you turn your front wheel while riding?
What also happens if you turn your front wheel while riding?
I've come off the rollers three times already. One time I went down like a bag of bricks on my side ( I let go with one hand not thinking). The other two I slipped my front wheel off the side and caught myself. Only one time I went forward - because my rear wheel came over the forward-rear roller and I gained momentum coming off the roller.
#22
Faster but still slow
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jersey
Posts: 5,978
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
They really aren't as difficult as you think. At least they weren't as difficult as I had imagined. I could ride normally after 15 minutes, though the first 5 minutes seemed impossible.
Because you have no forward momentum you can't crash into your TV at 20 mph. You would basically just fall over. And if you are like me, you did that plenty of times while learning clipless. It is no big deal. The fear is worse than the reality.
To prove this to yourself while off of the bike, just turn the cranks a few times in a high gear while just holding the bike off the ground. Then let the wheels touch the ground after it is going really fast. Does your bike fly off at 20 mph? No, the wheel just comes to a stop and the bike moves an inch maybe. Same deal with the rollers.
As with riding on the road you have to turn your front wheel to balance, but since the rollers create a smaller contact patch each movement is exagerated thus improving your handling skills and making the whole experience more interesting. I did fall off once last week, but somehow managed to end up with my rear tire still on the rollers and the front tire balanced on the 1/2" wide frame of the rollers. I didn't even fall over. After just 30 minutes of riding on the rollers I was able to watch TV without incident.
Because you have no forward momentum you can't crash into your TV at 20 mph. You would basically just fall over. And if you are like me, you did that plenty of times while learning clipless. It is no big deal. The fear is worse than the reality.
To prove this to yourself while off of the bike, just turn the cranks a few times in a high gear while just holding the bike off the ground. Then let the wheels touch the ground after it is going really fast. Does your bike fly off at 20 mph? No, the wheel just comes to a stop and the bike moves an inch maybe. Same deal with the rollers.
As with riding on the road you have to turn your front wheel to balance, but since the rollers create a smaller contact patch each movement is exagerated thus improving your handling skills and making the whole experience more interesting. I did fall off once last week, but somehow managed to end up with my rear tire still on the rollers and the front tire balanced on the 1/2" wide frame of the rollers. I didn't even fall over. After just 30 minutes of riding on the rollers I was able to watch TV without incident.
#23
Eternal Cat3 Rookie
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,167
Bikes: 2004 Giant TCR2 Composite & 2006 Fuji Touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I love riding my rollers, but eventually my mind just wanders and I fall off.
I don't think it's the best for ADD-type people.
I don't think it's the best for ADD-type people.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Langhorne, PA
Posts: 84
Bikes: 2005 Giant OCR C3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Doggus
The other two I slipped my front wheel off the side and caught myself.
They were a definite help when my concentration started to drift.
As a new roadie, my experience has been very positive and the fact that I can be in the saddle year-round is a big plus.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 759
Bikes: Cannondale Super Six 1, Cannondale F29er 1, Cannondale XTJ, Guru Pista, Lemond Limoge
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by munkyv22
Update: Here is a pic of the Madone resting on the rollers.