Originally Posted by Cactuskid (Post 11540394)

I bought a fluid trainer, if you shift to highest gear It feels like a 2% upgrade at most, which is fine for an hour and spinning etc. But I am not really caring for it BECAUSE It sucks if you try standing. I feel I could break the frame of the bike and you cannot go side to side at all...standing at times is regular for me on the road

Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff (Post 11540803)

Also, to follow up, I'm sure these guys aren't going hard at all. Nope. Nosirree. Terrible carnage, bodies flying all over the place :rolleyes:

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

Originally Posted by agarose2000 (Post 11540596)

...
I've got both rollers and a CycleOps Fluid2 trainer, and I've ridden both fairly hard, although admittedly, the rollers get way too sktechy on those 110% interval sets for me to be comfortable using them.
...

Originally Posted by agarose2000 (Post 11541237)

And despite this video, I GUARANTEE that these guys can put out more power if they went all-out on a fixed trainer vs rolllers. That's my point - I never said rollers couldn't give you a hard workout (they do for me if I go fast enough!) but the effort to stay upright will eventually limit you at your topmost 1-2% effort no matter how good you are on rollers.

Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff (Post 11540819)

I weigh about 180lbs. I can get up to about 300W in a 53/12 using 3.25 inch diameter rollers (cycleops aluminum rollers). I ride high endurance/low tempo (about 250-270W for me) in the 53/14 or 15 (depends how cold it is in the garage and what tires I am riding). 4.5 inch diameter is traditional and mostly for training form (suplesse); 3 inch might be a bit small; 3.25 to 3.5 is good balance between traditional and fitness oriented rollers.

Originally Posted by simonaway427 (Post 11541037)

Everyone who favors rollers posts that video.

Everyone who favors trainers posts this one :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2tF0...eature=related

Which is, ironically, the first link from the speedy video.

Originally Posted by jrobe (Post 11536592)

"Trainers IMO are good for fitting sessions or adjusting the derailleurs under load. Otherwise it's a waste time. get rollers."


If you asked this question to pro cyclists, I bet there would be a 100% responce to getting a trainer. I doubt pro cyclist waste any time at all spinning on rollers except for maybe their easy, rest days. You will certrainly never see one preparing and warming up for a race on rollers.

There is no better cycling workout than a hard interval workout on a trainer. There is no wasted time, no stop sign, no downhills, no coasting. no wind, etc..

In fact, there are now lots of DVD workouts (Spinervals, CTS, etc.) for interval workouts on the trainer. I was recently invited to a new Spinervals taping session and they specifically warned in bold letter - don't come here with rollers. I am aware of no formal DVD workouts for rollers.

If you want to improve your power output and fitness in the winter, get a trainer and prepare to work hard. If you want to spin your legs out a little in front of a TV, get rollers. If you want to stay interested and motivated on the trainer, get some Spinervals and/or CTS DVD's.

Originally Posted by rat fink (Post 11531658)

I. What do I need to look for in a nice set of rollers?

Originally Posted by rat fink (Post 11540325)

I'm thinking I might get a set of Kreitler Hot Dogs. For me, I think it would do more good to keep my form up over the winter, than my fitness. I could always ride them harder and longer, (and in a harder gear) for the fitness aspect. I don't do intervals, anyway.

Does anyone have some experience they can share using the 3.0's as opposed to the 4.5's? I'm a strong rider, but I doubt that even the 4.5s would be too easy with max gear of 53-11. Experience?

Originally Posted by slowandsteady (Post 11542576)

What is the mattress for? Nappy time at mile 12?

How about this?

Originally Posted by rat fink (Post 11542272)

In that case, would 4.5 be the better option? Kreitler seems to only make 4.5, 3.0, and 2.5 drums. I know that with the 4.5 option, I could always use the mag or fan add-on.