Originally Posted by
bruce19
Smoothness is attained by learning to pedal efficiently. It reduces wasted energy and enhances your ability to engage fast twitch muscles. If you have ever seen a strong, undisciplined rider schooled by a less strong but trained and experienced rider, you know what I mean. There are other factors involved of course. When I first started cycling, about 40 years ago, I bought a book by Greg LeMond. In it he said, "If you can't afford a coach, buy rollers." I took that to heart and have never regretted it. I also have a childhood friend who was a cyclist. We met when we were 7 and went through school together up through our first year of college. We talk all the time. Back in the day he was always trying to get me on a bike but I was a football/baseball guy. Ended up going through college on a football scholarship. But, I digress. When he was 15 he was the youngest ever National Jr. Champion in his cycling event. He also went on to be in the '64 Olympics in Tokyo. A serious crash ended his career. In any event, he is constantly telling me that leg speed is the foundation of cycling and that rollers did that for him. So, I am going to stand by what I have experienced to be true. Perhaps we will just have to agree to disagree.
Right.
That's the old school lore.
Now it's been shown that that's not the most effective way to pedal.
And leg speed really has nothing to do with any type of foundation. Cycling is an aerobic sport. Getting oxygen to your muscles so they can continue to work effectively is the foundation of it and any other endurance sport.
Rollers simply make you good at riding rollers, but I'd argue even that's a bit of a waste if you're trying to improve fitness indoors. If that's the case, a trainer will allow you to do proper workouts a bit more easily (though with resistance, I've done up to threshold workouts on rollers).