mattdaga

What would you ride in the offseason and why?

AtlAllez

Roller: Because it is much more similer to riding a bike and it helps with sability and balance

Jose R

Both.

Different tools for different skill development.

Rollers are good for (as mentioned above) technique and recovery or warming up.

Trainers are good for heavy interval work.

I try to combine both during my weekday training sessions.

SpongeDad

You should ride whatever you can bring yourself to ride. Both stink compared to the real thing.

I ride rollers to maintain pedal efficiency, and I'll add a resistance unit to the rollers to add a little strength training. I road about 3 hrs a week on roller over last winter and it really helped me start the spring in decent form.

That said, I have friends with Power trainers that like them a lot because that can do power based training.

I'm considering getting a cyclocross bike and riding in the frikkin snow. Really, rollers and trainers both bite.

late

I'm not a serious cyclist. But i do ride a lot and I like to go into spring ready to ride. My Kurt Kinetics trainer does the trick.
They have added a watts computer now, and that will allow me to track my progress. Actually, if I can minimise the decline, that would be great.

I am going to get the computer for Xmas. They weren't making it when I got mine a couple years ago. I am buying a few Spinervals dvds, and hopefully come spring I will be ready to rock.

DannoXYZ 

Both, I do rollers for form and pedaling efficieny. Then trainers with intervals for aerobic workouts. I'm still trying to figure out a way to do high intensity workouts like anaerobic intervals and sprints. Thinking about building a rolling-road treadmill then tying the bike to a big bungy-cord to hold it in place...

daytonian

Rollers w/ magnetic resistance. I use spinervals as well but things do get boring so you gotta be creative. Your mind can't wander too far w/ rollers or you find the floor fast.

lotek 

I have both a fluid and rollers.
Rollers build a nice even cadence and smooth pedal stroke.
One thing no one has mentioned is that rollers really help
one maintain a line when your on the road.
Last winter I focused on riding no hands on rollers, it
helped tremendously in bike handling skills too.
Rollers without some kind of resistance unit do not
do very much for strength, and only help aerobic capacity,
if you want to build strength for hills, sprints etc. you
need a stationary trainer like the fluid2, kirk kinetic etc.

marty

Crapplejax

Rollers: better balance, and like a bunch of people have said improves your pedaling, and its an aerobic type workout

AtlAllez

that was deep man

Jose R

I like to practice one handed, no handed riding. Also, getting out of the saddle and accelerating while keeping a straight line. Bike handling skills are paramount on the road and track. And by spring I want to be a smooth safe rider.

RC2

Skis

HomoRoadie

I did rollers for a while and it is a better "full body" workout but I recently added a crossbar because I was never able to attain the ballance needed for standing, one foot or hands free pedaling. I came off the rollers so many times it was not funny. Thats funny because I have no particular problem with handling skills in real world situations.

Rollers are a challenge but I was never able to stay on them for more than an hour or so at a time, for endurance training I plan to stick with the trainer.

pinkrobe

A snowboard and a barstool.

I also ride a fluid trainer, mostly because I know too many guys who have scorch marks on their floors from riding off of their rollers at 40 km/h, but also because they freak me out.

DocRay

Not to mention the skidmarks. Pedal technique can be learned using one sided pedaling on a trainer...kinda.

HWS

I use both. I put in a Spinervals DVD and do half on the trainer and half on the rollers.

Breaks up the monotony.

pogoman

rollers for me.

Eyeseeu

Trainer....for hours and hours and hours...

lws

Much more than twenty minutes on the rollers and my hands and nuts are numb. So I ride twenty minutes, go get a drink of water, and then get back on for another twenty. Repeat until bored.

zacster

I just bought a fluid trainer, so I guess I vote trainer. But I've never used rollers so I don't know. The fluid trainer gives a pretty good workout. I've actually gotten myself up to 50 minutes with a spinervals DVD.

But biking outdoors is what its about.

garysol1 

Kreitler Roller's with a fork stand and a Headwind resistance unit. I can ride them as rollers for balance and form or just use the fork stand to watch TV and spin a bit. The headfan is a extremely smooth way to add resistance.

Fox Farm

I ride Kritler Rollers (no fork mount) and killer head wind. No, you can't read a book while riding on them (or at least I can't) but the workout is good and you develop good skills in balance and fluid motion. They are not cheap but will last a life time. As Krietler says, "buy the best and cry once."

DannoXYZ 

What really helps is to get a big fan and aim it at you when you're on the trainer or rollers. Helps cool you off so you can work harder and it feels more like riding outside..

Duke of Kent

Assuming you mean this thread to be about winter riding...

1) Ride outside until extremities go numb.
2) Come inside, warm up, and hit the rollers (with resistance unit) until I'm about to pass out.
3) Eat.

If lots of snow on the ground or currently snowing:

1) Rollers until I'm about to pass out.
2) Eat and drink, and then 30 minute rest.
3) Shower and put on WARM, WINDPROOF clothing.
4) Strap on the XC skis, and hit the fields.

garysol1 

The Krietler head fan unit blows enough air to push you back and makes you want to wear glasses. Sure feels good on the sweaty head