Originally posted by lotek
Cap'n
Rollers, without an add on unit do not
offer enough resistance to build strength.
Yes, smaller diameter drums offer more resistance
as does letting air out of your tires, but is
it enough to build leg strength (as opposed to
leg speed)?
Let me ask, could you ride rollers with a resistance
unit when you first started on rollers? I know
I sure could not have.
Just my $.02 worth,
Marty
Some of the smaller diameter rollers will certainly be enough to build very good leg strength especially if you use a high enough gear. I doubt there are very many cyclist that can ride a small diameter roller in a high gear for any extended length of time. Kreitler actually warns you of this if you are going to buy their small diameter rollers! They are for very serious cyclists.
As for starting out on rollers I have used a resistance unit right from the start and had no problems whatsoever. I don't see why this makes any difference. You do not have to turn the unit up as high as it will go but I think in someways the resistance actually helps to smooth out the pedal stroke if it is not to high. Otherwise you are spinning like a fool and bouncing all over.