Fixed Up North

Those Performance Rollers linked above are one sale for $119.99 until 10/26. Granted they are out of stock until the 29th. But if you can order them for the sale price now it's probably worth the wait. Even in Minneapolis we should be able to ride outside until then. I wish I had $120, I'd give the roller a shot.

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4121

MMPC

Wow, great thread! I purchased Performance's "parabolic" rollers about a week ago and still haven't had a chance to set them up. Anyway, now that I read all of this, I'm both looking forward to and dreading it! The one question I keep having is - how do you get started and how do you stop without going down and bruising a butt cheek? Both important points, if I do say so myself...

lotek 

I set up with a single step stool next to the roller that I can use for stepping
down without having to balance on the frame of the roller. Works well for stopping also.
I usually ride next to a counter that I use for water, towel etc. use that to support
while I clip in or out.

Marty

MMPC

Okay, thanks lotek. As for clipping in vs. not - Speedplay pedals and sneakers don't sound like a good mix - what's your recommendation for that? I really don't want to change pedals out...

Grasschopper

Not that I do it a lot but come on it only takes a couple of min.

MMPC

Are you calling me lazy, Grasschopper???

Guilty...

Don Cook

I like to hear from others regards this statement. Yesterday I unpacked new rollers and read the set up instructions. The instructions are to set it up with the front wheel axle behind the axle of the front roller by 15mm.

Don Cook

"Make sure your front axle is directly above the front roller. The front roller can be a little bit forward of the axle, but NOT BEHIND."
Someone posted this and I'd like to hear other thoughts. Last night I unpacked new rollers that I had ordered. They're the Minoura Mag Rollers with alluminum drums. The instructions specifically call for setting them up with the front wheel axle 15mm behind the fron roller axle.

MMPC

Hey Don - confusing as it may be, both of those quotes are actually saying the same thing. The front roller axle should be slightly AHEAD of the bike's axle. Make sense? Look at the picture earlier in this thread - there's a good visual example.

lotek 

MMPC,

Speedplay makes a platform that converts your X series pedals to, well,
platforms (see below). I actually used sneakers on the the X series just
to start (took about a day before I clipped in). you won't get the full effect,
nor the smooth spin, but it can work.

Don Cook

Yes, all responses caught my reading comprehesion problem. So sorry for the waste of space and words.

MMPC

lotek - you're my new favorite person! Those platforms for Speedplays are awesome! Don't worry, you're a bit too far away for stalking...


Don, just move along like nothing happened - we all have those days...

qmsdc15

Clip into the speedplays. It makes it easier to ride the rollers. You won't ride off the parabolic rollers if you are careful.

MMPC

It's snowing as I type this so I decided today would be my first ride on the rollers. While challenging, it was also a lot more fun than I expected! Setting up in a doorway felt secure and prevented me from toppling over which, without it, I would've done at least a half-dozen times. As for the parabolic rollers I have - they almost seem like cheating as I found it would take quite an effort to ride off the sides! I'd highly recommend them for anyone new to rollers and nervous about the bike going off the sides.

Otherwise, I tried many of the suggestions here - not looking at the front drum, putting something straight on the floor in front of you (yardstick, etc.) to aim for, keeping cadence higher. I also ended up clipping in instead of going with platforms as was my original plan. I chose this route after reading many threads that suggested it's better. I'd have to agree it does help and - for me - it was better to start out riding the way I plan to later instead of switching to clipless later on. As for my pedal stroke, I'd always suspected it was rough, this morning only confirmed that and other bad habits I have! I rode for about 20 minutes total and had a few minutes here and there when I was pretty smooth. Otherwise it was a lot of wobbling, stopping/starting and grabbing the doorframe.

The motivation to improve on these is really there, however, which will help when time is ticking away slowly. They're so much more fun than a sationary trainer - it really does feel more like you're out on the road. I'm looking forward to my next ride...

lotek 

MMPC,

KEWL. . . .

I used running shoes on regular speedplays for my first time. after that clipped in.
After using rollers I don't use my trainer very much.

Marty

MelloBoy

i got on my rollers this morning for a few minutes...very low resistance so it wasn't hard on my knees...i guess it works out pretty decently for minor rehab and keeping my mind off things.

melloboy

teamawe

Just got off the phone with my LBS, Kreitler Challenger Rollers are ordered. /flex

Guest

Congrats.

I'm really working up the strength (mentally, I guess) to put my rollers together. I am just not mechanically inclined. *sigh* I will probably do it after I "rock the vote" tomorrow...

Koffee

Essy

Hey all -

Since this seems to be the roller thread - does anyone have an opinion/experience with Elite rollers? I have the opportunity to pick up a used pair for ~$95 and wanted to know if they were worth it or if I was better off getting the Perfomance set new. Alloy drums, 4" diameter.

Thanks!

-Essy

rwg

Koffee, there isn't a whole lot of mechanical in this. You will be fine. Just make sure that the rubber band is around the right spots before you tighten stuff. After that, it should be like 6 bolts. I would offer to help if I still lived in Chicago . . .

Guest

Let's hope. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I don't have any directions for them, since I bought a floor model, so I will just look at a picture of the rollers online and see if I can figure it out.

Koffee

teamawe

Rollers arrived and are set up. Took me 3 minutes (clipped in, speedplays) to let go of the wall, then rode for 2 minutes, touched wall once, then rode for 15 minutes non stop. Boy are they more fun then a trainer.

Going to do an hour in the morning. I'll wait two days before I take my hands off the bars. =)

Koffee you get yours set up yet?

MMPC

teamawe - they are cool, aren't they? I've now ridden mine a half-dozen times and continue to improve. I have to say parabolics are really easy too - it's nice not having to worry about riding off the sides. Anyway, I rarely touch the wall now but haven't graduated to hands-free yet either.

The only issue I'm having is one of a bit of numbness in the crotch. Since I don't/can't stand up using the rollers to relieve the pressure, it's a half-hour straight of pedaling without any off-the-saddle time. I may have to look a bit closer at my saddle position to see if I can aleviate this issue. Otherwise, I'm still really enjoying my time on the rollers and WOW do they make a difference when you go back out on the road! I was skeptical, but they really do improve your pedal stroke and general balance/smoothness on the bike...

Guest

I'm ashamed to say I haven't. I just open the box, see the metal just sitting in there, sigh, and close the box back. I'm going to attempt to get beyond that tomorrow and get them set up. Seriously. I tried to take a spin class at my fitness club, and it was so bad I almost threw up. That was enough motivation for me to get these bad boys set up and ready to roll.

Koffee

cpk0

does anyone else get a headache after they use their rollers? i'm only on day 2, so maybe they take some getting used to in that sense.