******Update #3 08-28-07, 5:50 PM******




******Update #2 09-22-06, 10:50 PM******

I got around to taking some more pictures of my rollers as per a couple of request's.

I've added the side bumper wheels which are quite handy when watching tv. They're just cheap caster wheels mounted to some Alu Angle Stock that's 3/16" thick, held on by the nut that secures the roller shafter to the frame. My new mag unit has also been on there for a little while and using the remote is great for intervals.



Notice the black marks from my tire on the side bumper wheels.


And a couple of pictures and a diagram showing how exactly i was able to secure the wheels to the roller frame. And YES it is rock solid, the proper bolts do not bend.
You should note that the white metal feet welded to the roller frame are solid steel, thus they can carry the load and sidewary/bending forces from the wheels. I wouldn't recommend this exact setup if your roller frame is made of aluminium.
In the case that you don't have roller feet on the frame that allow for the type of attachment, you could drill holes directly into the frame it's self and have the wheels sticking out of the side, this would of course require you to build up the wooden frame the rollers sit in so that it clears the floor.



Derek.



******Update #1 05-15-06, 03:11 PM*******

Ok all done and tested, my homemade free motion rollers are up and running and i must say it's quite a odd sensation at first. I was able to ride a little smoother, ride with no hands much easier, ride out of the saddle to simulate climbing, and of course sprint out of the saddle and not once did i hit the little red roller i had positioned in front of the assembly for safety.

The skateboard wheels made of bone(very hard) with abec 3 bearings and work perfect and move the rollers perfectly, i don't think i'll have to buy any Alu to make a lighter roller frame out of.
I ended up using a 30" adjustable elastic at the 22" mark and barely stretched it out and clamped it to the rollers. Looks like the key is not have any tension on the elastics to allow for suble movements in the rollers.

Anyways, here's the video(10mb mpeg1) and a screenshot for while you wait.




*************** Original Post ****************

I received a couple of questions about these so i thought i'd start a thread. I just finished the frame for these yesterday so i'm still working thru the fitting and glitch phase.



-The rails are rock maple with a grove for the wheel instead of C shape Alu so that you can remove the rollers at will.
-End peices are just regular 2x4 with deck bolt's fastening them to the rails.
-Rubber bands, are a type of solid rubber bungie i picked up at canadian tire. In the photo their attached with quick clamps for trial only eventually i'll drill a series of hole's which will allow adjusting the rubber band's by means of a screw which is threaded into the hole's.

-Wheels are where the problem starts. I used caster wheels from Home Depot removed them from their casing, and mounted them on SS bolts that were threaded into the steel legs of the rollers. With 200lbs on the whole unit the wheels have a little resistance when starting to roll so it's a little "sluggish". I made sure the bolt's holding the wheels weren't bending under weight. Also made sure they were adjusted a best possible to made sure they could roll well. Even tried to put some metal stips under the wheel thinking maybe the maple wasn't a stiff enough surface for the wheels.
I've concluded it's the wheels them selve's . For a responsive resistance free roll i'll have to switch to some hard bone skateboard wheels which will have bearings in them.

-The rollers them selve's may also pose a small problem, this particular model of rollers has a steel tubing frame, just the white peice's of metal probably weight 10lbs each. I'm highly considering picking up some Alu square tubing and making new roller rails to reduce the weight of the rollers so they'll be more likely to move back and forth. The idea being that reducing the weight of the rollers will reduce the amount of energy needed to push the rollers in one direction or another, thus making it easier for the rollers to slide under me to stay with my bike instead of my bike rolling off the front of the rollers.

-Guard rails. I'm hoping to not have to use or make guard rails, most of the videos on the e-motion rollers website show the rollers just moving under the bike, in only one instance does one of the bikers actually touch the front bumper.

Right now the setup does move a bit under me especially if i accerate, but i can still feel the bike wanting to roll forward, especially if i stand up. With the new wheels and possibly new frame i should have a well functioning free motion set of rollers.

Feedback and comments welcome.

Side Note:
I also seemed to have dropped my mag unit so i guess i'll have to buy a new one with a remote cable
Really i was trying to remove one of the spacers on the axle to get it to line up better with my rear roller but i couldn't get either end peice off even after removing the insert screw, and oiling it well. This after having greased the whole assembly just last month made me a little angry and well... mr hammer made me feel much better.