New here ... been interested in some rollers.. nashbar has a set for around $85 and I think there's a coupon around here somewhere (though they don't fold ) ...

Used to ride a whole lot, been away from it for about 8 years (got married, got job, had 3 kids.. been a little busy) ... Wanting to get back on the bike, but don't want to have to leave the house... I've been thinking that a set of rollers would be a good way to get back on the bike after the kids go to bed... I've also read that rollers are more real and overall a better "experience" than trainers..

I'm looking for the "feels like I'm road riding" and wanting to ride nice-and-steady for a long duration, rather than resistance "climb training" or anything like that. Looking into it for general "getting-back-in-shape"ness and increased lung capacity (long time asthma sufferer, cycling helped tremendously) ...

What do you guys think / recommend? Should I get some rollers? Trainers? something else?

I'm open to suggestions..

thanks,
..dane

Man, you want to ride indoors instead of outside if/when you have a choice. I'd say get the rollers, but get outside too!

Well I guess that answers my question...

I should rephrase that it's not that I don't WANT to get out and ride... I do. But all my kids are young (3.5, 1.5, 5mo) and I'm not ABLE to go ride while it's light outside 'cause I'm in full-time-dad-mode until they go to bed.. And especially in the winter, that's AFTER it's dark out. (and it's getting cold out now too) Furthermore, after they ARE in bed, I'd still like to be able to at least be in the same area of the house as my wife to have some time to talk to her too...

Anyhoo, I have heard the rollers require a lot more concentration, but provide a more realistic experience than trainers... though I've ridden so much before in my "previous life," I imagine that I could get used to them fairly quickly and then still be able to watch TV with her or something else while I ride .. yes? no?

thanks,
..dane

Yep. If you have interest in them, I don't think they will disappoint you, especially if you can get a set for that price.

two of the best investments i made when i got into the sport were a week at the Walden School of Cycling, and buying rollers.

Yes, rollers are probably your best option (at least better than a trainer) if you can't get outside. Also, getting some music or video/ movie entertainment to listen to/ watch while you're on them seems to help w/ the boredom factor.

wouldn't getting a bike be the best investment?

there's no point in having a tool if you don't know how to use it.

I bought a set of rollers at a 2nd hand sports equipment store. I have found them very difficult to use. In addition to trying to stay upright on them, I find they give my tires a lot of rolling resistance and ten minutes on rollers is quite a strenuous workout. I have a welder and have considered making a bolt-on jig to support the fork in place of the front wheel. That would get around the balancing problem. I understand your need to stay indoors, but I have decided I would rather wear whatever is needed to stay warm in the winter and hit the open road. I have given some serious thought to selling my rollers.

It does take a little bit getting used to, but as long as there's nothing structurally wrong with the rollers, then the staying upright thing is actually a good thing because staying upright on rollers, requires at least fairly even pedal stroke -- which is a good thing to have and work on.

I do OK on them, but still set them up between a door frame so that I literally have something to fall on (besides the ground) on either side of me.

I have used them in a door frame, too. It helps.

I have an exerciser attachment that goes under my back wheel with a small roller and a fan cage. There is an adjustable post to support the bottom bracket. Another post attaches to the fork. It was a pain to take the front wheel out and hook the exerciser up to the bike, and then reverse everything if I wanted to ride. I thought rollers would be the perfect solution. But, I have found the rollers difficult.

For what's it's worth, I've been riding rollers for years and when I do get the $$$ to buy a new pair I will definitely buy ones that are NOT folding! I think folding rollers are not as rigid and smooth and if you get ones with smaller diameter, aluminum drums they're flat enough to store under a bed or sofa or stand up in a closet. Look for small diameter aluminum drums and blast away.......it's a great workout and excellent for balance and technique.

Do they still teach you to lean your body instead of the bike going thru turns? I always thought that was odd.

that's what they taught in february of 1991.

Get these

https://www.insideride.com/index.php?...d=15&Itemid=36

i got some a couple years ago, used them about once a week for two months, and they've set in my closet since. if i can't ride outside i just go the the gym instead.

If you get the rollers, be careful not to let your mind wander. Three days on my "new" rollers and I was doing intervals this morning. At 115 RPM in my hardest gear, heartrate at 183 bpm for a minute, I was doing fine. However during the one minute cool down I let my mind wander for a few seconds, thinking about summertime, and next thing I know I am on my a**, bike sprawled across the floor, brifter bent over. They are fun as heck, but they are work. Honestly they are not as much work as a fixed trainer, from a fitness perspective. But they are more work mentally. Honestly if I could I would have two trainers - a fixed magnetic/fluid type for strength/intervals at typical cadences (80 - 90 rpm) and rollers for the off-days to work on spinning/aerobics/high-cadence work. My rollers have 4" drums and roll very smoothly. I think I would also consider getting the 3" drums for increased rolling resistance.

Do it, they are so much fun. There's that "fear of death" feeling you just don't get on a trainer.

FYI, they're called lollers.

Interesting suggestion ... We do have room in the garage to keep it, and the non-folding pair is on sale at nashbar right now for like $85....

Whoa... those are awesome! Too bad they're $800!! Tell ya' what .. you buy and ship to me, I'll be sure to tell you how much I like them...



Seriously, thank you all for your feedback. When I get back in town tomorrow I'm going to go by the local bike shop and ask them as well, and see if they have a "loaner" set of rollers I could try (or at least ask their return policy) ... I'm REALLY interested ... but it's a lot of money, no matter how you look at it...

..dane

Been looking at a few youtube videos of some DIY free motion rollers... Looks like if I *DO* enjoy rollers even slightly, making a DIY free-motion base will make it that much easier and more enjoyable...

cooooool....

..dane

Rollers are great, I have never been able to stand trainers, I can't even get through my warm up at a race without hating them but I roll along on my rollers no problem. For me the feel makes all the difference in the world and its a great way to watch a cross race in the winter.

I have a cycleops fluid 2 trainer and a cycleops Rollers ,their are a great tool to imtrouving your training .

Snow and freezing rain are not exatly ideal winter training condition for a 3hrs to 4hrs ride,the " Rollers" are a great alternative

Fluid Trainer are great for intervals ,TEMPO(L3),TH L4,.... and strengh.

All type of Trainer:www.bicyclebuys.com/HTML/indoortrainers.htm

E-Motion Rollers:www.insideride.com

Ride hard,Musher