hi guys, with it raining so much around here ive decided to invest what little money i have on a set of rollers. problem is i've never even been on one before so i have little to no knowledge about what to look for. i'd preferably like to spend less thatn $100 if possible, so craigslist seems like the way to go- one thing that i know i need is a quiet belt because i live on a second story apartment. also, i heard that you can't use rollers on carpet, is that true? if so, that could be a problem because the only carpetless areas are the kitchen and bathroom...not quite conducive to training. also, one more question for all you guys that use track bikes on your rollers: have you noticed a significant change on the street after training with it for awhile? ideally, i'd like a set of rollers to both increase my endurance and improve my pedaling technique. any information on rollers as well as your thoughts on the four craigslist offers below would be very much appreciated. thanks everyone!

https://www.craigslist.org/pen/bik/59938190.html
https://www.craigslist.org/eby/bik/60237333.html
https://www.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/59644773.html
https://www.craigslist.org/nby/bik/59573387.html

i can't imagine why you couldn't use one on carpet, but i know **** about rollers...
i've always thought it would be fun to own one...
at least for when there's several riders at the house and we're drunk... i think that would be awesome times...

I brought rollers a little over a month ago for $100 at nashbar. I ride them for about 40 minutes a day about 5 days a week (more or less). So far I've already noticed an increase in my endurance when I’m riding my fix on the streets.

My rollers do make noise though, but it's bearable and I haven't gotten any complaints from the neighbors. The drums on my rollers are made of PVC; if you're really worried about noise you should look for rollers with aluminum drums, cuz from what I heard, aluminum drums are quieter, but more expensive (try to buy used). Go for it!

Of all the rollers you show I'd go for the Minoura, Alu drums.
I have an older set of Minoura, I love em. Even when I can get out
I usually do an early morning roller session.
The carpet issue is that if the carpet is thick, and padded, the weight
of you on the bike can sink the rollers into the carpet and cause lots of drag.
A semi solid surface under them (on top of carpet) will spread the load and
avoid this. I prefer to set up on solid floor (tile) on a piece of carpet (to damp
vibration etc.).
You will definately smooth out your spin on rollers. Pedal squares and you
know it. It will also vastly improve your bike handling skills, you can better
hold a line.
Marty

I've owned cheap performance brand rollers made of PVC drums with the resistance unit for 8 + years. I don't tride them much anymore, as trainers are boring. They do make some noise, but no more so than your TV or stereo. You can ride them on carput, but the 'legs' will dig into the carpet just like a dining chair, but perhaps with more pressure. If you are really worried, buy a sheet of plywood and put some type of carpet over it to soak up the sweat. Put something, e.g carpet under the rollers regardless.

Personally, I live in a winter climate (not as bad as many) and ride all winter long. It is more fun in general to ride outside and I usually run my dogs that way. Not the best workout in the world or most focused, but it is some exercise and fun. The way I see it, riding real hills in CO on a fixie is as useful as riding rollers, but in a different way.

The concept of rollers/trainers kind of makes me think about the tools that drive 3 miles to a gym and then run on a treadmill. j/k Trainers have a place in the overall training regimen: I'm just not training for anything. If you live in CO, I'll sell you mine cheap.

my opinion; forget the rollers. They are ok as a training aid, but then again so is riding outside lots. and not as Booooring. I picked some outof the garbage and used them for a winter. Gave 'em away because id rather be cold then bored silly. A FG alone will increase endurance and improve pedaling technique; its all in how you use it.

anyhoooo, if you're bent on them, you cant use them on carpet because a) the roller will drag on the carpet (not much clearance) wearing it out, and rubber dust will spew all over the carpet. Just getting a sheed of plywood the size of the rollers will resolve this.

Also, the plastic drums seem to develop channels in the center (they wear).

kreitler rollers. 6061-T6 drums, mmmm.

Whether you ride rollers or a trainer inside riding is grueling at best, better than nothing I guess. I've rode mine on carpet and solid floors alike and no problems, setting up a fan helps with the sweating but there's nothing like the real thing. Pray for warmer weather.

roscoe, did you ride a trainer or rollers on the carpet?

My performance rollers couldnt be used in carpet, nor can my buddy's kreitlers.

i always thought riding fixed on rollers could help you develop a super smooth spin... no?

riding fixed develops smooth spin. Riding rollers develops smooth spin. Riding fixed on rollers? dunno. Ive only ever ridden fixed on rollers (only one bike) but i do doubt my spin got any smoother than it ever was.

I got a set of Kreitler rollers for this winter and future winters so that I can ride indoors and work on pedaling circles and holding a line. I will reiterate that you won't be able to ride them on the carpet because they'll drag, but plywood would work for sure. Go with the aluminum drums if you can. Obviously all the vintage lugged frame brooks saddle hardcore types will tell you to get outside and ride, but if you can't then rollers will certainly do. Also, it's pretty clear that rollers are tiring as hell. I can only go for about forty minutes before I'm pretty beat. I recommend listening to music and/or attempting to watch part of a movie or something while riding on them. I'm still trying to get to the point where I feel confident enough to ride on them in an open area so I don't have to sit there spinning under my doorframe staring at the wall three feet in front of me.

hmmm, I have vintage lugged frames, am a hardcore Brooks saddle user and I think
I recommended using rollers, how bout that.

Huh

I figured you all were too busy riding around drunk in several feet of snow with mouths full of pie wearing suits made entirely of stash pockets stopping every so often to urinate on a pile of derailleurs.

Just goes to show you...

ya never know.

Depends on the type of pie

"I figured you all were too busy riding around drunk in several feet of snow with mouths full of pie wearing suits made entirely of stash pockets stopping every so often to urinate on a pile of derailleurs."

I apparently need to modify my behavior severely and buy an entire new wardrobe, plus urinate on the rear ends of several of my bikes. And maybe move somewhere that has snow more frequently. Either that, or buy some new bikes.

Nah.

Funniest post I've read in awhile, tho.

classic

Rollers rock. You can use them on carpet if the clearance is high enough, mine are. I have performance aluminum rollers. Got em for 125 bucks online.

They got lots of benefits. improved spin, holding a line, balance "try no hands", no need to stop at lights or worry about cars, can use them when its rainy/snowing/night time etc. You really notice your spin when on them, since they do get boring you pay attention to little stuff like that.

I ride 30 min to an hour during the winter about 5+- a week. mostly because I work and dont have much daylight. Granted I do ride to work but its not very far so a late night session on the rollers rocks. and if ya get rollers get a FAN!! There is no wind on rollers and you can get overheated since your sweat doesnt evaporate.

O and when you get on them for the first time, rride as fast as you can with out holdin on to anything. Going slow and laning on to sumthin will send ya off the side.

Enjoy

next step, try wheelies. for ultra trickness, try bunnyhops.

Kreitler are primo but Minoura have a slick Aluminium cylinder Nylon bearing plate unit that run true and fold up nicer than the Kreitler, used both for years no problem the bearings are easily replaced in either ones.

You can use them anywhere you can get clearance, I fitted screw down legs like on your fridge for our portable set, we've used them in carparks and paddocks all over the state no problem just have to get them level.

It will improve your technique out of sight, pedalling circles instead of thumping down, riding from the hips instead of wrestling the bars, say goodbye to hip rocking the biggest powersuck in pedalling efficiency. Also maximum cred as you impress all your mates warming up for your next crit.

Hey it was an old guy on a lugged frame and brooks saddle that told me I needed to use rollers.

WELL BIG DEAL if there were'nt any lugless frames around at the time.

Hey, nothing but love for you true blue types. I'll leave you with this though:

Do you think if Phil Wood made pie that a posenger's head would explode?