Exercise Rollers - Good or Bad?
 

Newbie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTfVVPwRJ_k

Experts:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbwngNoHm0

I am considering a roller for winter exercise. It looks like it's a helluva lot more challenging, as well as more fun and engaging, than stationary bikes.

::winter:

But they also look very tricky, especially for a rickety 50 year old like me. I am looking for educated opinions on this. Should I go the stationary route or do I dare try this at home?

:twitchy:

put some platforms on the side to put your foot down on,
and maybe set up in a doorway till you get the drift of it.

smaller rollers are a higher effort level..

there are some with rollers with a bit of a flare on the ends to keep
you on them .

and a fork support to replace the front wheel .. wouldn't use a CF fork in those..
half way between trainer stand and roller then,

+1 to putting them in a doorframe and using some kind of platform. 2x10" lumber is cheap and makes for a nice base, stack it at least twice though.

I had a set of RollTrac (sp?) rollers 30+ years ago. They were made with a structure that acted as built-in platforms. I used them in a doorway and had no misadventures while riding them.

Doorway idea makes sense. And so does make a simple platform.

Will have to see. I guess my main concern is whether or not it is better than a dedicated spinner. The less expensive rollers seem to offer no resistance - which may not be a bad thing overall, but not really sure.

I've heard you can put a towel underneath one or more of the roller drums to create a source of friction. I have the performance bike rollers and they have grooves for the rubber band on both sides of the drums. You could install a second band that would couple a homebuilt resistance unit. Or you can deflate your tires a bit.

The doorway is most effective when you can stick out your elbow to push yourself back in line, instead of taking your hands off the bars.

I bought a set of rollers a couple of years ago with the same intention of training during the winter months. I used mine a few times, then decided I could no longer take the boredom of riding inside.

That was the first year I rode outside all winter. Turned out to be loads of fun and a heck of a workout. The most intense workout I've ever had was a 7 mile ride that took nearly 2 hours because I was trudging through 5" of unplowed snow. I was in my lowest gear, standing on the pedals and barely breaking 4 mph. I had to keep stopping to let my heart rate come down from the stratosphere. After riding outside that whole winter, come spring I was the strongest I've ever been on the bike.

Just saw my rollers this morning sitting in the corner with 2 years worth of dust on them. I should probably throw them on Craigslist as hopefully I'll never use them again.

Throw enough money at the project, and there are computer game like
bike race simulators.

Tacx has Some..

Funny. I live in VT and cannot ride during winter outdoors. Not only is it usually hovering around zero for a good part of the time, but the roads are all snow, ice or salt (and extra narrow due to snow build up).

I used to use a treadmill (which I really liked using until I busted my ankle) and the boredom was mitigated by watching TV during exercise and I am thinking of doing the same on the rollers (if I get them that is).

You could build a frame from black pipe and bring it up to the front and rear wheel and use it as a bumper for your triangle/fork. I would wrap it in pipe foam before I got mounted though.

I live in South Dakota. Below zero a good chunk of the winter with 30+ mph winds and plenty of snow. I'll put our winters up against anyone's. It's really not as difficult as it sounds. Deciding to ride outside is actually tougher than riding outside. Plenty of days where I wake up at 5 AM and everything inside me is telling me to stay inside where it's warm and go back to bed. Once I'm a couple of miles down the road and have a good sweat going I always think, "meh, this really isn't too bad."

I did dedicate one of my old bikes to "winter only" because of the toll the salt takes on it. I bought studded tires and just leave it set up that way. With studs, ice is not a factor as long as I don't get really crazy. Cruising across areas of sheet ice I enjoy locking up my rear wheel and watching the grooves my studs dig in the ice.

I don't watch much TV. I ran on the treadmill some this winter due a few weeks where we had heavy ice (I don't have studded running shoes, lol). I would watch TV but still felt it mind numbing. As soon as I could I got back outdoors. I guess I just prefer being outside.

Well, I guess anything is possible - but I know that even if possible, I prolly won't be cycling outside during winter. :)

But I can believe S.D. is easily just as bad as VT if not worse, so much props to ya!

Aww crap...I gotta ride outside in the winter? :eek: in NC? :D

I used rollers years ago to work on my spinning technique for racing as well as for staying in shape. We also used to have roller races at the local mall and some bars. We didn't do the sissy stuff with the fork mounts, we rode free and wild.

Doorways are good thing for rollers.

Aaron :)

I use rollers during the winter. I can leave my bike set up and if there's a nice day it's easy to ride outside. I'm not strong enough to spin out in the larger gears so I still get a good workout and it helps my technique. Mine are set up between the wall and the end of a fooseball table a door would be better but I don't have to do much to get ready and go riding. I watch Spinervals and other videos for entertainment.
50 is the new start of middle age!

Thanks wahoonc + fusilierdan. Your comments are making me think this may not be such a half-baked idea after all. It does look a lot more engaging than treadmills and spinners.

I used one of these for a few years. Not exactly the same, but they will still give you the workout. There is a cheap plastic triangle thing that goes in the front for the front tire.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...8_20000_400133

Thanks Jimi - I am also considering one of those as well - but the rollers look much more challenging and so I expect I might stay with it more. Who doesn't love a challenge? :)

They are, they teach you to ride smoother or you end up on the floor ;)

We have one of the rear wheel resistance trainers that my wife uses in the colder months (cold being a relative term) I ride year round. I have thought about getting a set of rollers again just for the helluva it. Might come in handy for checking out a bike I have repaired without having to leave my warm shop :P

Aaron:)

I'm 68 and used rollers for first last winter. Used hallway walls for first week, then no wall at all. I use footstool to get on and off.

:thumb:

Kudos to you - I can only hope I can do rollers at 68.

While rollers won't give you the same level of workout that a trainer will, they are far more enjoyable and require your complete concentration (no watching TV unless you have some damn fine skillz). Once you get the hang of it, you will notice you are able to hold a much straighter line and ride with more confidence when you get back out on the road.

If you are still can't decide between rollers and a trainer, remember, Eddy Merckx used rollers. That is enough for me.

I haven't made a purchase yet, but I appreciate your input. What you said only confirms what I've been thinking. Thanks, so far I am leaning towards rollers.