Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Thinking of getting rollers for Christmas...

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Thinking of getting rollers for Christmas...

Old 10-20-10, 09:03 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 332
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thinking of getting rollers for Christmas...

Gotta start planning early right? What do you think about rollers? They look like fun to me. I'll go the regular stand type of indoor trainer if people hate the rollers.

https://www.treefortbikes.com/product...s-Rollers.html

Last edited by Netdewt; 10-20-10 at 09:08 PM.
Netdewt is offline  
Old 10-20-10, 09:10 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
JTGraphics's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 2,678
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like my rollers some hate them some people never get the hang of them others jump right on.
Both serve a diffrent purpose.
__________________
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
JTGraphics is offline  
Old 10-20-10, 09:19 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 332
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I generally have very good balance, so I think i'd get the hang of it. Sounds like a fun challenge.

Any specific brands/features necessary? Are the low end PVC ones okay? I seem to like the Tacx one shown above.
Netdewt is offline  
Old 10-20-10, 09:20 PM
  #4  
Roadie
 
brian416's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,461
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
I have a trainer and rollers. The trainer sits in the closet and never gets used. If you get lots of snow like we do here, rollers are the only way to go for 3+ months of indoor riding
brian416 is offline  
Old 10-20-10, 09:26 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 332
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Snow is usually on the ground 3-5 months/year.

After you get used to them, is it possible to watch movies while riding, or do you always have to stay pretty focused on the wheels?
Netdewt is offline  
Old 10-20-10, 10:08 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I can watch movies just fine on my rollers. What I can't do is watch TDF videos while the riders descend. When they lean, I lean. And leaning on rollers = pain. Don't ask me how I know this.
Psyclism is offline  
Old 10-21-10, 12:24 AM
  #7  
Go, Dog. Go!
 
learnmedia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 709

Bikes: '09 Fuji Team; '11 PedalForce QS3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I treated myself to the e-motion rollers this past Christmas. I love them. However, I cannot compare them to trainers since I don't own any. While pricey, the e-motions are really well engineered. I consider them a great indoor training tool.
learnmedia is offline  
Old 10-21-10, 05:16 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 726
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I agree that rollers are better than a regular trainer - - way less boring. But, I've had problems with my tires when I use rollers - - they developed what appear to be cracks in the sidewalls. The guy at the LBS said it's because with rollers the tires get very hot and can be damaged over time. Has anyone else experienced this? I went with rollers rather than a trainer thinking it wouldn't hurt my tires, but apparently I'm wrong.
monk is offline  
Old 10-21-10, 07:58 AM
  #9  
Roadie
 
brian416's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,461
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
My rollers (E-motions which have aluminum drums) get warm, certainly not as hot as asphalt gets on 90 degree days outside though. I haven't had any problems with tires cracking riding 100+ hours on them during the winter. I've had specialized tires crack on the sidewalls, but every single specialized tire I've used has had that problem. No cracks running Conti Gatorskins.



Originally Posted by Netdewt
Snow is usually on the ground 3-5 months/year.

After you get used to them, is it possible to watch movies while riding, or do you always have to stay pretty focused on the wheels?
I watch movies and TV while riding rollers, its easy once you get used to it. I find it best to be kinda centered in front of the TV though.
brian416 is offline  
Old 10-21-10, 09:16 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 332
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
There is no way I'm getting the E-motion... but are Aluminum rollers a good upgrade from the PVC?
Netdewt is offline  
Old 10-21-10, 09:38 AM
  #11  
I like 3.14!!!
 
(Y(L|S+'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Walled Lake, MI
Posts: 375
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have 3" aluminum rollers. I would recommend the 3" or less rollers if you want some resistance. The bigger the gear and faster you go, the more resistance there is. According to Kreitler, w/ 3" rollers going 24mph, you will be putting out 219 watts on 3" rollers and 303 on 2.25" rollers. @ 44mph, it is 433w on 3" and 626w on 2.25" rollers. Now if you just wanna work on your spin technique, get the 4+" ones. I have not experienced hot tires or rollers. They are a bit warm but not hot.

I watch TV or a movie when I use my rollers. They are quiet enough to not have to use ear buds or headphones. I also just got the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine fluid trainer but mainly for my wife (she is afraid to try rollers). Though I will use it some for more resistance type training. Also, get a big fan or 2. You'll be dripping with sweat if you don't.

When i forst got my rollers, I set it up next to my treadmill so I could use the grab-bar on it to steady myself until I got comfortable on the rollers. It took me all but 20 minutes and a couple "falls" to get good at it (YMMV). I also use the treadmill as a step to get on the bike. I set up the KK RM next to the rollers so I can ride with the wife if I want and my 50" plasma TV out in front.

EDIT:
I forgot to add that I feel rollers gives me more of a workout than on road flat or rolling terrain. Reason being is that you need to constantly pedal in order to stay balanced on them. On the road, you can stop pedalling every now an then for descents or stops lights. It's a good thing too because sometimes boredom can set in and you may not want to ride the rollers for more than a couple hours.

Last edited by (Y(L|S+; 10-21-10 at 12:15 PM.
(Y(L|S+ is offline  
Old 10-21-10, 09:46 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
alcjphil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,865
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1791 Post(s)
Liked 1,667 Times in 952 Posts
I have both a trainer and a set of rollers. I lent my trainer to my son because I never used it. My rollers have a magnetic resistance unit if I decide to ride with more resistance, but I rarely use it. Once you master them, it is possible to watch television while riding, but as was also stated, bike races featuring long descents are not a good idea, ditto car chases, you try to follow the action. When I ride rollers, I use my heaviest wheels and cheap wire bead tires. The extra weight makes the bike more stable, and the cheap tires add resistance. In fact, I tried using my road tubeless wheels once on the rollers and the effort was so much less that I couldn't really get my heart rate up to where I wanted it. As for tire durability, I have been using those same cheap tires for three winters with very little sign of wear. My rollers have large diameter aluminum drums, the small diameter drums might possibly be harder on tires. One thing to think about is that you really notice a change in effort as tire pressure is increased. I generally use about 100-105 psi in my tires. When I have allowed pressure to drop to the low 90's resistance goes up quite a bit.
alcjphil is offline  
Old 10-21-10, 11:05 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 332
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
$150, metal rollers: https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0_20000_400134

Maybe I should stay away from the conical rollers? I'd love to get a Kreitler, but they are more spendy than makes sense for me. I'm a recreational/fitness rider looking for something to do this winter.

Last edited by Netdewt; 10-21-10 at 11:10 AM.
Netdewt is offline  
Old 10-22-10, 10:25 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Bobsled's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Downey, CA.
Posts: 1,166

Bikes: Litespeed Classic (55cm), Specialized Tarmac Pro (56cm)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by Netdewt
$150, metal rollers: https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0_20000_400134

Maybe I should stay away from the conical rollers? I'd love to get a Kreitler, but they are more spendy than makes sense for me. I'm a recreational/fitness rider looking for something to do this winter.
I have some of those, and if you search around in here you'll find a thread on how to DIY motion rollers.
__________________
Litespeed, lasts a lifetime.

Specialized Tarmac, lasts a lifetime, or until it breaks.
Bobsled is offline  
Old 12-25-10, 11:37 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 332
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I got the performance bike rollers! I just tried them out for a half hour or so and they are definitely fun. I need to figure out how to tune up my rear derailleur and clean my chain... but other than that, everything is smooth!
Netdewt is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rms13
Road Cycling
27
11-23-18 04:11 PM
flats
Road Cycling
11
12-11-14 05:25 PM
hammy56
"The 33"-Road Bike Racing
25
01-02-13 01:08 PM
Caad 8
Road Cycling
51
01-22-10 08:50 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.