Originally Posted by
agarose2000
To me at least, it seems that the smoothness is more a function of riding within your O2 limits and less a function of technique. I don't think all the technique in the world would allow me to ride smoothly if I'm going all-out on the rollers.
Smooth riders stay smooth even when they're maxed out, dead, and blind from oxygen deprivation. Riding smoothly will save you energy-- any motion that isn't propelling the bike forward isn't helping you go faster. And if you go watch a big track event you'll see quite a few people riding pretty smoothly all out on the rollers. I used to tag (not sustain) 200 rpm on the rollers without bouncing around- I haven't tried it in a while since I haven't had a cadence sensor in ages.
Will rollers help you on downhill descents? No.
Will they help you in a fast paceline? Yes.
Will they make other riders in a breakaway want to keep you there? Yes- if you're a **** and hard to ride behind you aren't helping the break and people will want to shed you.