What is 'dog tracking'?

'dog tracking'?

Rear end out of line from the front end. Dogs kinda walk that way hence the 'dog tracking'. Although I just folded them up and noticed that the front drum was not lined up. It was one space further forward on the right side.

suppose it might happen a little bit. can't recall the last time i rode on rollers in front of a mirror.

Some good thoughts here. On rollers at some point there is a leap of faith, it's really no harder than riding down the road.

well, there's your problem

To answer the question though, no. my wheels don't skew.

I'd like to know how you people stand up on these things

gingerly. and never on my 5th story balcony.

how did you start riding a bike?

Before you try standing, be certain the front axle of your front wheel is not in front of the center of the axle of the front roller. Use a plumb bob to check this. When you stand, you will rock the bike some,and it is quite easy to launch yourself over the front if your front wheel axle is in front of the center of the front roller axle.

one you get used to these things are they any less torturous then a standard trainer?

less torturous? like boring? not here .... it does keep you focused on the task at hand.

That was my initial impression also, I may change my mind once I'm really comfortable. It seems to me that unlike the trainer you really have to focus a bit more and that in itself should help cut down on the boredom. Also the feel of riding on the rollers was more authentic than a trainer which helps as well.

That's the best part about them IMO

That "authentic" feel can get a little bumpier then a trainner, but you have some good rollers so they shouldn't warp. My 2yr old tacx have really gotten bumpy the past month or so, i'm sure the free motion thing didn't help that much though.

You do have to focus a bit more on balance but eventualy it just becomes part of your riding (a very very very very very very good thing). As of late, i've been reading entire chapters of text books for midterms test's while riding my rollers no handed. After a while you just get a feel for the rollers and where they are, that's not to say i don't hit my bumper wheels every now and then, i do, but only because i'm holding a book up to my face, once i feel the bumper wheel i just make a minor correction with my hips (which is how you steer a bike, especially on rollers) and keep riding.

Getting started is always fun though, i've gotten brave the past couple of days and tried mounting rollers without any walls or bench's, it's a little tricky, straddle the bike, clip one foot in with the other standing on the roller frame, slide my butt on the seat, start pedaling with on leg, then lift up my supporting leg from the roller frame and clip in.

Before I started this thread I tried to ride them and thought man this way harder than it looks. I had a death grip on the bars and was looking straight down at my front wheel. I was surprised that once I found the balance sweet spot how easy it was to get into the drops, get my water bottle etc etc. The Kreitler Alloy's have the big 4'' drums so the bike is kinda high off the ground, mounting is a bit tricky without something to balance on. I did an hour on the trainer before moving to the rollers. It's amazing how much more 'life like' the rollers are.

Next step: No Hands. Just come all the way upright. It helps if you are in a big gear and a lower cadence.

Recommended technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wME5NTriTco

Show off Okay I have goal...no wait I have a strong self preservation gene that is going to override that goal....

Like everything else on rollers standing should be done smoothly.
Big jumps like during a sprint seems to upset the balance (for me).

Riding no handed came gradually, first with arms hanging by my side to
equalize balance. Later I was able to ride no handed and reach for things
on counter next to me, drink etc.

I saw one guy at a demo ride up on a BMX type bike, bunny hop (sideways?)
onto the rollers and continue pedaling. I'd have been sprawled out on the floor.

marty

I just got my Nashbar Rollers last night. My first time ever on rollers. All the tips here and other posts helped. After a few rocky starts and 1 dropping the front wheel off the side,I managed a total of 6 minutes without needing to grab the wall.

So not impressive but a confidence boost for me.

Managed 1 hour today ave speed 27.6mph only had to 'dab' the counter once when my water bottle opened up on me. Man I wish I could TT at that speed, I'd be kill'n them at the monthly 15k TT series

You are insane.

You guys are hulks. I get anywhere near 20mph and I'm dying. My 1:40 average is down near 12mph....

those descents are krazy!