I've been reasoning to myself for the last few months that I don't need a indoor trainer since I've been happy doing my 50-100 miles on weekends. I now would like ride 30min-1hr ~2-3 times during the week too but from out my door I can't really get to a good pace without stopping every few spins to check/wait for traffic.

So, I'm now thinking of getting indoor rollers or trainers as a christmas gift for myself

As far as I've searched on google (the BF search function needs to be fixed, I only get 10 hits of which only 1 has trainer/roller in the title), I think a set of Rollers work better for me. Here's my reasoning:
(1) my bike handling skills need to be improved, (I can't hold really hold a straight line well, at least from what I can see and especially while climbing)
(2) I can't even keep up a 90rpm cadence at my maximum speed gears while on a flat.

So I reasoned that a roller would benefit me more than a trainer for now. I'm happy to hear suggestions otherwise.

My questions:
(1) Can I get a good workout in ~30mins on rollers? (I think the answer is yes, just checking)
(2) more importantly, any recommendations of Rollers that are <$300? (Kreitlers cost an arm, I don't need the best, just durable for a few years)
(3) What size Roller drums should I start with?
(4) Are they really noisy? (I'm using this at 6am, living in a townhouse with a roommate, can't be too noisy)
(5) are these nashbar branded ones good?
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_201571
or
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_201571
or
these CycleOps Aluminum Rollers at REI
https://www.rei.com/product/680045

Thanks in advance everybody!

(btw, how do I edit my title, it's grammatically incorrect)

I have good experience with anything CycleOps. Saris owns them now and its based just a few minutes away from where I live. I don't know anyone who owns any other trainers or rollers than CycleOps, and the only bad thing I've heard about them ever is that the cheaper trainers definitely sound like a small airplane taking off if you're really going at it. The rollers are great in my experience, but most of my experience is what other people tell me. I'm just too tall to do rollers, my center of gravity is too high for me to get on them (...thats my story and I'm sticking to it).

Yes you can. Shift up once into an easier gear, while maintaining the same speed. After you get the hang of that, shift into the next easier gear, keeping the original speed.

You can also work on it while going down hill. When you start going down, resist the urge to shift into a higher gear, and keep pedaling in the same gear you were in before the downhill. Depending on the hill, you may have to shift eventually, but delay your shifts until you are spinning faster than you're used to.

Kauzman, thanks for the reply, I've read good things about the CycleOps brand too. Did you mean that the cheaper models of CycleOps are very noisy or just cheaper rollers in general?

Actually I meant the cheaper trainers are loud with their fans. The rollers and the Magneto and up level trainers are just gorgeous and don't sound ridiculous.

I would recommend getting rollers that have some sort of resistance control. You are correct in wanting rollers to help you with bike handling, they will do that for you. They are also better than trainers imo as far as boredom goes. The one thing I think a trainer is better for is doing intervals on, that way you can push yourself till you are blind and silly and won't crash. Otherwise rollers all the way.

I use both. If I had to choose one I'd pick the rollers. I can do intervals on either, but the trainer is a bit better suited for L4 workouts.

I pick the rollers because I am more inclined to spend time on them. The trainer will never feel like the road.

I think a lot of people here have the Travel Trac Technique PRO rollers from performancebike.com. Says it's out of stock right now, but can be had for under $150 including shipping when it goes on sale.

Rollers are good for short rides indoors, because they require a bit of attention and improve your handing a bit. If you are one of those freaks that can stand riding for 3 hours inside, I might suggest a trainer so you can watch a movie and zone out.

And if you're one of those freaks who can do rollers for 3-5 hours straight, no handed, and zone out, then I probably road with you at our local "Freezing for Safety" fundraiser. I can't remember who that kid was, but, its ungodly.

I can sit on the rollers for entire movies. Preferably ones without extreme camera panning.

Quite a few people on BF own these and are happy

If I were to get a set of rollers, I'd go with them because I'm poor and they seem like a good deal for what you pay.

Performance rollers work just fine. Nothing a pair of ear buds or a good movie can't drown.

Thanks, I've been looking at those too. I have a couple of questions for people that have these:
(1) Is this good roller size (85mm = 3.34") to start with?
(2) Is it modifiable (smaller rollers or increase resistance) in future?

Thanks again.

Hmm, I wonder who is the OEM in this case.
https://www.sportcrafters.com/rollers.htm

I have the SportCrafters and the drum size is a happy medium between resistance and tire wear.
Also, if you get rollers and plan to transport them in your car to races, etc. get the alloy drums.
If you let plastic drums bake in a hot car, they can warp.

I'm going to put you on rollers in an IMAX theatre and then put a row of chairs in front of you so my friends and I can watch.

I have Cycleops Aluminum rollers and they are quiet so noise is not an issue...

I ride on the Nashbar non-folding rollers. I have to do this in the basement and watch internet TV because they vibrate the flooring too much.

My wife rides her CycleOps Magneto trainer about 5-10 feet from me on the first floor while we both watch Dish Network TV together.

I dont care for riding the trainer. I kinda go nuts on the thing and to me its really freakin boring. My wife mashes away and loves it so to each their own.

I've already got a 96" projection screen about 8 feet away. That's more than enough to induce unwanted steering

I'm sold on those performance rollers as soon as they're back in stock. Looks like I'll be spending some time on the fixed gear in the computer room. I'd way rather ride while I watch all the TV I've downloaded. I'm not sure that I'm at the level where I feel comfortable using my shoes and clipless pedals on rollers yet, but I'd sure like to get there since I can ride in a harder gear to get more resistance. One of my friends has plastic rollers. They're pretty awful. I didn't realize that I could get alloy ones for that cheap.

[QUOTE=BlastRadius;10091369]Hmm, I wonder who is the OEM in this case.
https://www.sportcrafters.com/rollers.htm


SportCrafters is. They are made in Granger, IN at SpinZone Cycling. I know this because they are my LBS. Pete is the owner and a great guy. He frequently makes rollers for other companies, just puts their name on it. I know they aren't the cheapest but they do have a no BS lifetime warranty and they are made in the US by a small family business.

I just did the new 1 hour "CTS Climbing Power" workout tonight on my trainer and am exhausted. https://www.trainright.com/folders.asp?uid=19

You can't do this on rollers. This kind of a workout is worth more than several hours of mind-numbing spinning on rollers. Get a trainer and forget the rollers. You won't find any competitive cyclist that aren't doing power based workouts on trainers.

Just as an aside, to get only 18 responces to your poll today, shows how pathetic this new bike forum software is. Traffic must be way down.

I have a set of Performance - Technique and it looks like the rollers are 4.25. It has a fan with adjustable resistance. The rollers were given to me by a friend. I'm ok on them clipped in and running through the gears but no standing. In your home you will need to train on a doorway or near something you can grab. I have noticed no one in this thread talks about grabbing a remote and changing the channel! That is more of a challenge then riding with no hands! if you have about $900 I would buy the e- motion rollers, those rock. Check out the you tube vids on e motion rollers and even the home made freemotion rollers. There is a version on this forum too. I have made a version for my rollers and they are a lot more friendly allowing me to stand up and sprint.

incorrect. both gsteinb and myself do L4 intervals on the e-motion rollers (although his are at higher power than mine). The mag resistance unit can get you to 400w and beyond rather easily. L5, no problem.

Is there a Mag. or some other type of quiet resistance unit that can be fitted to Nashbar rollers?

if there is a belt guide on the free roller on the end then you could probably find a way to retrofit pretty much any belt-driven resistance unit, provided you are willing to do some modifications.