Rollers
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rollers
I have a question regarding rollers. I have had my rollers for two weeks and can ride/balance pretty good. However, when i go to do one legged pedaling drills on the
rollers the bike tends to surge back and forth. What part of my pedal stroke is messed up? And what kind of drills can i do to improve the stroke?
When i do spin ups on the rollers i get up to 110 and i start to bounce. However, on my
stationary trainer i spin up to 125-130 before i start to bounce. What accounts for the difference? BTW i use a cycleops fluid trainer and cycleops aluminum rollers.
Thanks.
rollers the bike tends to surge back and forth. What part of my pedal stroke is messed up? And what kind of drills can i do to improve the stroke?
When i do spin ups on the rollers i get up to 110 and i start to bounce. However, on my
stationary trainer i spin up to 125-130 before i start to bounce. What accounts for the difference? BTW i use a cycleops fluid trainer and cycleops aluminum rollers.
Thanks.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Norcal
Posts: 201
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The surging is from applying more force on the downstroke and not maintaining it though the bottom and back around to the top. Letting up on the upstroke and not continuing "over the top" of the stroke is what causes surges. You can also try one legged pedaling on the road or on the trainer where it's easier.
To some extent the trainer locks you in so you don't notice your uneven pedaling. Some trainers have flywheels. On the rollers any unevenness is amplified.
You can also try riding a fixed gear, either on the road or the trainer/rollers to improve your smoothness.
If you're really adventurous, try riding the rollers with power cranks.
That said, having a smooth stroke only really matters on the track. On the road you won't really notice one way or another.....as you you've already shown.
To some extent the trainer locks you in so you don't notice your uneven pedaling. Some trainers have flywheels. On the rollers any unevenness is amplified.
You can also try riding a fixed gear, either on the road or the trainer/rollers to improve your smoothness.
If you're really adventurous, try riding the rollers with power cranks.
That said, having a smooth stroke only really matters on the track. On the road you won't really notice one way or another.....as you you've already shown.
Last edited by ibis_ti; 02-13-11 at 01:38 AM.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would hate to see how bad i would be on power cranks. But i'm going to do my one legged pedaling on my trainer until i get better. Kinda funny,
i actually thought when i was doing spin ups and one legged pedaling on the trainer that i had a smooth pedal stroke! The rollers showed i
needed a LOT of work. Thanks for your reponse it was ver helpful.
i actually thought when i was doing spin ups and one legged pedaling on the trainer that i had a smooth pedal stroke! The rollers showed i
needed a LOT of work. Thanks for your reponse it was ver helpful.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 419
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would hate to see how bad i would be on power cranks. But i'm going to do my one legged pedaling on my trainer until i get better. Kinda funny,
i actually thought when i was doing spin ups and one legged pedaling on the trainer that i had a smooth pedal stroke! The rollers showed i
needed a LOT of work. Thanks for your reponse it was ver helpful.
i actually thought when i was doing spin ups and one legged pedaling on the trainer that i had a smooth pedal stroke! The rollers showed i
needed a LOT of work. Thanks for your reponse it was ver helpful.
Continuing to do them on the trainer will do nothing for you.
#5
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,038
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22583 Post(s)
Liked 8,923 Times
in
4,156 Posts
I agree that in general trainers reinforce "bad" pedaling habits while rollers force/reinforce good technique.
That said I know nothing about one legged drills, I always ride with two.
That said I know nothing about one legged drills, I always ride with two.
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm taking your advice and continue to work on spin ups and one legged pedaling on the rollers. The rollers are forcing me to pedal
better which is what i need. Thanks.
better which is what i need. Thanks.