Thanks to the sorry a$$ weather we're having in the southeast, I'm missing several days of training. I'm looking for something that will allow me to continue training indoors, even if it's just some easy miles. From what I understand, rollers work more on technique and form (pedaling in a circle and balance, riding straight) but doesn't have the resistance that a trainer does. Then there's the resistance of a trainer but won't help out with technique and form. I'm fairly new to the sport so my technique and form still needs some work, but I would like to have the resistance of a trainer.

If I only have money for one or the other, which would you recommend? Which do YOU benefit more from using?

These are the rollers I recommend:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...cfm?SKU=19548#

I tried out a fluid trainer recently and just didn't like it because it wasn't smooth. Having used rollers I will have trouble using a trainer again since the trainer is not near as smooth as the rollers.

The smaller the drum of the roller, the more resistance provided, and there is usually an add on to provide more resistance if desired (sold separately). Personally I own the Kreitler dyno-myte which I got like 10 years ago, but I have tried these and if I was in the market, this is what I would buy.

I use rollers and have yet to reach the point where I'm strong enough to max them out (i.e., pedaling in my toughest gear for an extended amount of time). I prefer them to trainers, but they do require more concentration. I find it hard to do rollers for more than 45 minutes.

I have both Rollers and fluid trainer.
Rollers are great for cadence, pedal stroke, balance and aerobic training,
they don't do too much for strength unless you get a resistance unit (killer headwind).
Trainer is BORING, mindnumbing for sure, but it does build strength.
I find I ride the rollers much more than the trainer.

do a search on rollers, the topic's been done to death.

Marty

Trainers have a noise to them which is caused by the tires. Can I assume rollers will have the same noise?

rollers are quiet, much more quiet than the trainer. The only
noise I get is the Conti Sprinters humming on the drums.
one more thing, rollers don't wear out your tire any more
than riding on the road does, probably less.

i preffer rollers, keeps you awake, and doesn't kill your "feel" (balance) for the road during the winter..., haven't tried the resistance thingy yet either, if you can ride 53-12 on rollers with 90-100 cadence for more then 1/2 hour your doing pretty damn good.

My vote is for rollers. Like the man said, they take a little practice and you have to concentrate, but it must be good for technique.

Kreitler rollers.

Get rollers.

I have a trainer now and really want rollers. If you're doing solo training, then rollers are the best. If you are group training (like my team in the winter with spinervals) get a trainer.

Trainers eat up your tires so be sure to swap out with an old tire if you do go the trainer route.

Hi,
you said you were new. A trainer is a good choice to fill in gaps in base training. I have the Kurt Kinetics, and he makes a computer for it that measures watts. In terms of bang for buck, it is intensely cool.

I watch old Star trek shows when I use it. But then I just want to keep the legs moving. Check out Spinervals and Train Right videos. If you get the Spinervals, put a tarp under the trainer.

https://www.kurtkinetic.com/reviews_l...327c4efa2da734

when we trained in the winter with spinervals, the whole room would get humid and there would be puddles of sweat on the floor. And this was in a pretty decent size rec room, not a small living room

In my opinion, this is the most informative thread I've found regarding rollers: https://www.cyclingforums.com/t167438-.html (My apologies if it's considered bad forum etiquette to post a link to another forum... I don't know ) The long & detailed posts in there by Feanor are just great (plus his avatar is pretty cool, too ).

Currently, I don't own either rollers or a trainer, but had planned to get one or the other by this coming winter. After reading the thread linked above, I've now decided that rollers will be the direction I go. Maybe I won't become as strong as I might have if using a trainer, but for sure, I won't be as mind-wandering bored on the rollers, like I think I might be on a trainer. Plus, I really like the thought of my computer (front wheel sensor) still displaying ride data as if I was on the road (mileage, speed, etc).

I'd like to thank Lotek for his posts above, as I too had wondered about the noise comparison between a trainer & rollers. I'm glad to hear that rollers are quieter.

Burke

I have an old pair of minora rollers with the magnet. In a 53x12 and with the resistnace maxed I can simulate a monster grinder hill. A couple of long intervals like that and you'll have trouble walking.

I would love something with data though. In another lifetime I had a computrainer, which was great if you were going hard, but utterly painful for less intense workouts. I'd love to be able to monitor power output. Are there any trainers with a power meter? I see the kinetics has one (sort of?) but does it really work? ANd can you do hard and easy workouts on a fluid trainer? I'm so used to adjustable resistance I'm not sure how one does specific types of workouts on something that gets progressively harder.

rollers with magnetic resistance

Rollers Rock! If you need resistance, fold an old hand towel a few times and stick it under the rear roller. It works great and you get resistance and form training.

I have a question.. I have just been told no riding for an undetermined amount of time, due to a spine injury. I can however take spin classes and I guess I will put my bike on a trainer or roller. But I don't know which. I admit, the roller sounds scarey... and I prob. should not stress my neck. What do you guys think.....

My vote is also for rollers. As with said above, they focus on being smooth and consistent in your pedal stroke and teach you to be well balanced. They do not have the resistance of a stationary trainer - however I have yet to finish a roller session and not be tired or covered in sweat.

After being on rollers long enough, you will notice how much faster you are on the road simply because you are smooth and balanced.

I've never used rollers. But I have the Performance Travel Trac Century Fluid Trainer. I chose a trainer over rollers because:

1. Takes up less space
2. I don't rely on the trainer to take care of my riding needs (weather isn't really much of a problem where I live)
3. Cheaper
4. Don't have to worry about "mastering" rollers
5. I find mine to be fairly quiet

Plus, I don't think it's that mindnumbing, I just start to think about stuff, maybe read, listen to music, or close my eyes and pretend I'm in a race.

Those went up. They used to be $99.00?!? Raise the price of rollers in the spring?

Trainner, you want as little stress on your back as possible, and trying to maintain your balance on rollers isn' the most relaxing thing on your back. Ride it with next to no resistance on the wheel either, just get on the bike and spin the pedals for 20-30mins as you feel able, this also gives you the option to sit right up and take your hands off the handle bars to straighten your back if hunching over isn't recommened.

dig deep and get a lemond revmaster or star trac v-bike

Roadgirl,
rollers are just plain out. Use a trainer or a spinner. If you get a trainer
put a phone book under the front wheel chock so you aren't bent over as much.

You can't do anything without a healthy back.

can't speak to your injuries but i went out and got some Travel Tac rollers at performance today. the learning curve is very steep and the initial first few minutes seem impossible. after getting them in the perfect position in the bathroom doorway(narrow) it took about 10 minutes of riding with my elbows bumping the doorframe and then... it clicked and i was rolling. another 10 minutes and i was able to relax and look around, watch t.v., change hand positions. about 10 more minutes and i could reach down and grab my bottle and drink.
what i'm psyched on is the obvious benefit it's going to give to my technique and the increase in aerobic training volume it offers. less wasted road time on recovery rides and warm ups/cool downs, stuff like that.
The travel tac's seem very well made and fold up pretty small. for 120$ it seems like a must have kinda thing now. ideally a trainer and rollers would be the way, but my first impression is that rollers have a lot to offer.

I've done both and rollers are the way to go. There is an extra benefit in that they teach you technique that a trainer can't.