researching rollers
 

i've been looking through old threads about rollers. i'm pretty sure that i'd rather have rollers than a trainer. whenever i've ridden trainers at lbs' it felt "stale" (for lack of a better word). i just don't think i can stay motivated to regularly use a trainer this winter.

i don't know if rollers will be much better. if riding on them is a "chore," then i'd rather just ride outside in the ice and snow.

right now, performance has the travel trac technique PRO alloy rollers on sale for $110. i'm leaning towards them over the minoura (for $160). from what i've read here, some complained about the noise of the minoura rollers. also, the travel tracs are a larger diameter.

i haven't seen it on the performance site, but do travel trac rollers have a resistance unit you can buy?

my hesitation goes back to whether i'll use them or not. i bought a recumbent stationary bike a couple of years ago for winter. i have to force myself to even get on it, and then, it's too boring to ride much more than 30 minutes or so. will rollers be much different than that? if it's just as boring on rollers, i may as well stick with the exercise bike.

I have a $4000 recumbent Lifecycle and I never use it. Big waste of money, but the Nashbar roller trainer I do use. Roller trainers are pretty fracken tricky to learn, but once you get used to them, they are great.

However, I have to but a bike computer 'cause my GPS says I'm not moving. I am using platform pedals right now because I'm not sure I'm ready for my SPDs on the rollers yet. Put a TV in front of them and pop in a tape of the TdF or something, they sell tapes and DVDs of scenery so you can pretend your riding through the countryside.

I get a better workout on the rollers because they don't let you coast for prolonged periods.

On rollers at least you have to pay attention. It isn't the same as actually riding though. It's hard to say how boring they will be for you.

FWIW: I never found that I wanted or needed additional resistance.

Rollers do give you the possibility of crashing in your own living room...

When I was using my stationary trainer, I used structured workouts to maintain interest. Lots of changes of gearing and pacing. Still damned boring.....
Some recommend setting up in front of the TV; sprinting through the commercials, things like that.