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Advice for rollers?
After two winters on a basic trainer, I am thinking of trying rollers both to add variety to my training, and to improve my form. Does anyone have any advice on rollers, both on whether or not I should get them, and which ones would be suitable?
Thanks,
Karl
This winter I decided to buy some rollers. If you want the best, get Kreitler rollers. I purchased the Kreitler Challenger rollers and the head wind resistance unit. If you want to improve your balance and pedaling style, ride on rollers. I don’t own a trainer, I know I’d be bored to death riding a trainer.
http://www.kreitler.com/
http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='2934-00'
Regarding riding rollers… below is a copy of some suggestions that helped me.
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Since the rollers raise the bike off the floor there's no way you can put your foot/feet on the floor if the bike is the proper size. To do that you'd have to lower your seat by the height of the rollers which would wreck your ability to pedal. Set something sturdy next to the bike so you can get on and off by yourself and leave the seat height at the proper setting. I use a little step stool but a milk crate, piece of 4x4, etc would work as well.
Doorway or something to lean on.
Something solid to step on to get on and off the bike since it'll be raised off the floor.
Cadence of at least 80 and speed of at least 14 mph. If it feels "squirrely" increase cadence.
Look ahead, not down.
Spin don't mash.
Relax your upper body.
Don't relax your concentration. You have to continually be aware of what you're doing.
Small shifts in body position or on seat will create a quick response that'll be larger than on the road.
Set up a fan at max speed to blow right in your face.
Don't forget to hydrate.
Until you've had lots of practice, don't try to stand to give your butt a rest without leaning on something.
Protect your bike from sweat with a towel but make sure it won’t fall into the wheels.
Make sure the distance between the front and rear rollers is correct or you'll immediately ride right off the front.
Periodically check that the rollers are properly tightened.
Take the belt off when not is use so it doesn't stretch.
Stick with it! It shouldn't take too long to be comfortable. You can get a great workout and improve your technique at the same time.
After two winters on a basic trainer, I am thinking of trying rollers both to add variety to my training, and to improve my form. Does anyone have any advice on rollers, both on whether or not I should get them, and which ones would be suitable?
Thanks,
Karl
:cool: Rollers are the best, great for balance I have mine set up in the workshop at home with a bench so I can rest on or grab it I wander a bit. I usually ride for an hour or so with a Walkman on. Always keep an eye on what you are doing or you will be off the rollers. I just use my road bike on the 'cycle ops' there are only 80mm rollers so it's not a big issue getting on and off. :)
K i want to purchase rollers, but are Kreitler rollers really worth the extra price, agains the cycle ops rollers? A hundred or two dollars is alot of extra cash if they perform the same, please can anyone tell me if they have used both which roller is the best for the price?
only rule is you MUST video tape yourself the first time you try to ride it. IF you fall you have to post it :D
Rollers really are the best way to go man, a trainer is better than nothing but a roller gives you the real motion of riding on the road.
Actually that kinda scares me, clipping in, and then going off the side of the rollers and falling OUCH. But im game, just want to get a good set, cause i am a big big cyclist, I can bench 405 hehe and im 5'11" and 280! so I need a good set, but again is Kreitler really that much better?
Holly Heysus!!!!!!! 280 on a bicycle!? hope you have a wide saddle and some GOOD padding! :D 405lbs, is that a 1 rep max?
Yes Bianchi, and I have a trek Pilot 5.2 with a Selle SMP, im not fat, im just very muscled and yes i can work out with 315 about 12-19-8 series
While how much someone can lift is as interesting and impressive as using only 5 squares of toilet paper instead of 6, both Kreitler and Elite make great rollers that will be up to the task. In fact, Elite has been marketed by a big, fat actor in bike kit. I think that were intended to imply their stuff holds up to abuse.
Yes Bianchi, and I have a trek Pilot 5.2 with a Selle SMP, im not fat, im just very muscled and yes i can work out with 315 about 12-19-8 series
where were you 3 weeks ago!! I was looking for someone with a selle smp for opinions! sorry to thread jack here but are you happy with the SMP saddle? which model do you have?
Rollers are great just as long as you don't accentally ride off the side and into the 50" Plasma TV that you were watching in the rec. room, or should that be wreck room. Damn Charley's Angels reruns.
I ride on a Selle SMP Pro, it is the only seat that I have found that is so comfortable I dont even mind my ass hurting! I love the huge center channel so my nerve wont get smashed and then the beak bends down so my family jewels hover instead of getting smushed on the seat, I would recommend this seat to anyone, and oh yea i have wide sitbones (surprising) and it comes in wide widths!
I ride on a Selle SMP Pro, it is the only seat that I have found that is so comfortable I dont even mind my ass hurting! I love the huge center channel so my nerve wont get smashed and then the beak bends down so my family jewels hover instead of getting smushed on the seat, I would recommend this seat to anyone, and oh yea i have wide sitbones (surprising) and it comes in wide widths!
yeah that's the one I was looking at also. I ended up with a selle italia max flite and it has the same "love channel" and is really comfy
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