Wkend_Warrior

Since the winter is around the corner, I want to look for a roller to assist my exercise.
I have been told that a roller is a better tool to train form and endurance than a trainer.
Does anyone have suggestion?
Used or new I dont have a clue.
Many thanks.

Scootcore

id say just keep riding.....we live in so cal!!!!

Wkend_Warrior

I want to but I'm afraid due to the weather changes and my work hours, that I might not get a chance to ride much.
I'm also afriad of running in wet road or during rain, just dont want to have any accident that would take me out from work.

Perhaps, if anyone can tell me their experience between trainer vs. roller? What is your recommendation?

thanks.

roadfix

To answer your question, my experiences with both were boring. My recommendation is running. I don't understand why running under wet weather is so dangerous.

DaveSANYYZ

I have both. A Kreitler polylite roller and a Tacx magnetic trainer. Bear in mind that while I have fancy gadgets, my skills suck so my views are highly n00b-ish.

Rollers - ok for easier spins and it did improve my line somewhat. I can't really try to apply much power since as soon as I do that my stokes will be too uneven and I'll wobble all over the place.

Trainer - I get bored after 15-30mins; but I got some cycling DVD's (haven't tried it yet) that will hopefully make it more interesting. At least it'll give me a short term goal (i.e. to complete the dvd session).

bitingduck

Rollers are ok if you live someplace with truly bad weather, but I've only used them a few times in 10 years in SoCal.

I kind of like the old plastic Tacx ones with the big rollers-- I don't like little high resistance ones. Right now I have both some old plastic ones and some of the Performance folding aluminum ones with slightly smaller (but still largeish) drums.

Wkend_Warrior

thanks for all the inputs... it sound like neither roller or trainer can substitute for the real thing- gett'n out to the open.
It also sound like here in Socal , one might not find it all that necessary to use one. Bad weather is just only last few months or so.
Thanks again ...that make my decision so much easiler.

efficiency

Wow Dave, all blingy with the Kreitlers.

The best value rollers are the ones from Performance or Nashbar (currently $119 and $100 respectively).
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4121
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...0and%20Rollers

The Performance ones fold and have large alloy drums, the Nashbar ones do not fold, and have smaller alloy drums. The smaller drums means more resistance. You really want alloy drums because the plastic ones tend to go out of round.

I think the thing that rollers are actually good at are improving your form. You'll really notice if you're pedal strokes are not smooth, and little deflections from a straight line will also be very noticeable. Even if you only ride them for 10 minutes at a time, I think they're good to have for these reasons alone.

markw

The 1up trainer rocks. https://www.1upusa.com

DaveSANYYZ

I have a bad habit of reading online reviews and going with a better reviewed ones (which normally means more $).

While I have never used any other rollers, I have to say i was a bit disappointed with the frame design of the Kreitler. It's not as rigid as I imagined it would be; but the actual rollers are nicely machined though.

Wkend_Warrier, while SoCal don't have "real winters", it does get dark early in winter (5/5:30pm). If you don't like riding at night and you have the motivation to "ride at home" (unlike me), a roller or trainer can be useful.

Wkend_Warrior

looks like a nice piece of equip. but too steep for me. mucho $$$ for my use. Thanks though

Wkend_Warrior

Efficiency ( or any other BFers)
I need help.
I just brought a used Minoura Mag rollers...thinking I can train myself on improving my spin and etc. Well, I have never use one before but when I tried it out this morning it was very noisy. It makes a very noticable screeching noise. Is that normal from a rollers? I set the rollers on a tiles floor, would that make any difference than on carpets?
I would think, though it maybe old rollers and has an adjustable mag. dials attached, wouldn't it still be okay to use because it supposedly sealed bearing?
Appreciate anyone to share about what to "expected" noise level for such rollers?

DaveSANYYZ

Hi. Rollers don't normally have magnets. Did you get rollers or trainer?

On my rollers, the sound is a low hum; higher pitch at high speeds my lack of balancing skills prevented me from doing that. On my mag trainer, it is pretty much high pitched like a turbine if the speed is high. I have carpet flooring + trainer mat, and to me that's how they sound like.

ray

They are both way over rated. I have Kinetic Road Fluid trainer, only used it for a few times since I bought it few years ago. It is loud and effects everybody in the house while doing it. Just get an elliptical or a stationary bike and they are just as good if not better.

1955

I have "rollers" that I've had for about 15 years, that I bought from Performance, and they're still round and true. I bought lights last year so I can ride year round and if you want to buy the rollers from me I won't really miss them.

bitingduck

they usually rumble (especially on a non-concrete floor). If you put them on a carpet you need to put a board underneath so the rubber band doesn't scrape up the carpet.

DaveSANYYZ re: mag units-- there are mag units that you can get to put on rollers to increase the resistance. I always prefer to spin so I've rarely used them, but used to have one.

Wkend_Warrior

Thanks for all the great inputs.
but the sound I heard was lound and high pitch.
I also not use to the rollers, so I was test it out while I place one hand on the bar and the other on a chair next to the roller. Does that add more weight (body weight) on the rollers to cause that noise?

Since, I was told they are sealed bearing...Is there any place I need to lube it? on the belt of the mag?
or should I take the mag off ?


Again, many thanks.

efficiency

Rollers can be a bit noisy, but if it's really a screeching noise perhaps the nuts that attach the drums to the frame are too tight. I had to loosen and re-torque all of them on my rollers. Loosen all of the nuts, then tighten them until there is no side to side play in the drum on the frame, then a little bit tighter.

Wkend_Warrior

Efficiency,
Thanks for your suggestion. I will give that a try.
so, when you say a bit noisy...are you agreeing with other BF that it sound more like a low pitching sound?
or how it supposedly sound?

Jeff262

Sure we live in SoCal, but some of us have to burn up the daylight hours with work!

Here is what has worked for me the last 3 years. I use the 1up trainer and find it very good. They have since licensed it to Blackburn so you can get a similar one under that name too. Its built solid and is quite. As far as killing the boredom I have found that what really makes the difference is having a structured plan as to what every workout is going to be and a step by step plan to follow within that workout. Just riding along doesn't work for the trainer. I am a big proponent of Arnie Baker's HIT programs. I have printed the workouts out and put them in plastic sleeves. I am so busy paying attention as to what I have to do next that I don't get too bored. On top of that I crank up the iPod with the right tempo podrunner music (I hunt for tracks at the right tempo) and I am ready to roll. The trainer has the advantage of being able to go to the absolute limit on intervals. If I did some of those workouts on the road I would be falling over and running into things from pure exhaustion.

I usually start on the trainer in December. I have gotten to the point that I look forward to the workouts every season. If you make them hard you really feel like you accomplished something after you are done and the results show on the road.