Fluid Trainer vs Rollers
09-29-10 | 05:33 AM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 1
From: Fredericton, NB, Canada
Bikes: 2010 S1, 2011 F75X
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
09-29-10 | 06:50 AM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 2
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 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbwngNoHm0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbwngNoHm0
09-29-10 | 07:56 AM
#53
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 4
From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
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.
About your guarantee? Anyone who can hold a bike straight at 200+rpm can easily hold their bike straight during an interval. Just gotta keep your eyes open. Once you can ride a bike like they do, you aren't concentrating on keeping a line anymore. Your body pretty much does that on it's own, automatically.
But this is besides the point. I most of my post was referring to the training of smooth bike handling skills and suplesse pedaling style using rollers. You seem to deny there is anything to bike handling besides learning to corner and undertaking emergency maneuvers. In this, you are wrong.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
09-29-10 | 10:48 AM
#54
Iconoclast
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 2
From: California
Bikes: Colnago Super, Fuji Opus III, Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized Sirrus (road)
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.
09-29-10 | 11:48 AM
#55
Faster but still slow
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,978
Likes: 2
From: Jersey
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
Everyone who favors rollers posts that video.
Everyone who favors trainers posts this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2tF0...eature=related
Which is, ironically, the first link from the speedy video.
Everyone who favors trainers posts this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2tF0...eature=related
Which is, ironically, the first link from the speedy video.
What is the mattress for? Nappy time at mile 12?
How about this?
09-29-10 | 11:50 AM
#56
Faster but still slow
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,978
Likes: 2
From: Jersey
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
"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.
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.
09-29-10 | 12:03 PM
#57
pan y agua
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,810
Likes: 1,232
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
09-29-10 | 12:05 PM
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
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?
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?
09-29-10 | 03:41 PM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 4
From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
It kinda depends on what you want to do with them. If you already own a trainer, I would get the 4.5s. If you don't have a trainer, I would go with the 3.0s so I have the option of more resistance. Or, like you said, you can get the 4.5s and a resistance unit.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
