Originally Posted by
Sir_Name
Interesting thread. Ive been considering getting a set of rollers as the winter months set in for some 'quick' exercise and to keep my lungs and legs since the prep and cleaning associated with winter (MTB) rides takes an amount of devoted time that I don't always have. I recently built a fendered single speed road bike that should see a good amount of use this and future winters when schedule allows. Again, added time suiting up and then wiping the bike down post-ride.
I'd imagine rollers are good for a quick spin at night when bundling up, burning the lungs, then cleaning the bike and self can be difficult to initiate. They should help for practicing balance, smoothness and pedal technique as well I'd assume (better than with a trainer).
Hopefully to add to rather than derail this thread (only my best intentions,
embankmentlb) I, and I'm sure others, would be interested in hearing/reading how those who use rollers to supplement regular riding (perhaps more often in the winter months) use them. Get on and spin? Intervals? Sufferfest or similar? (never used this series but assume it may apply) Catch up on your favorite soap operas?
Honestly I do not ride them as consistently as I did when I still cared, but I really like to be able to jump on them for an hour on those days when you just run out of day before you could sneak in a ride.
I keep them in my basement shop, which also has a good hi-fi with a record changer. I stack up 4 Lp's which will run about an hour. I usually ride a fixed gear with about a 48x16 gear. Spin for 1 side of an Lp. Then pick a couple of short songs on the next platter to do a couple of intervals, spinning easy in between. The next side I will ride tempo and do a song each one legged. Then maybe one more interval on the first song on the last side and spin out the rest of the side to cool down. Helps if you pick the right records and make it loud!