rollers question...
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Hi, I have a rear mounted turbo trainer but am looking to get a set of rollers for some
spinning exercise.
I usually use the turbo in the lowest resistance setting, is there much point to getting rollers
with a "fan" or magnetic resistance unit?
what do you use?
If I want a bit more resistance, can I just stick an old towel or something under the drums?
cheers
Depending on make, some rollers have resistance or you can purchase a fan or mag for use on rollers.
I have used rollers for over 20 years and wouldn't use anything else, you do, however, get what you
pay for. I think the best ones are the Krietlers. When I have the head wind attached it is all I can
do to turn the pedals, with no load I can spin a 53#12 for an hour. It does help balance and a
smooth pedal stroke. The first time on them make sure you are in a doorway or have a chair next to
you to keep you upright.
Bob
"Me" <no@nohotmail.com> wrote in message news:3ff5595c@news.greennet.net...
> Hi, I have a rear mounted turbo trainer but am looking to get a set of rollers for some spinning
> exercise.
>
> I usually use the turbo in the lowest resistance setting, is there much point to getting rollers
> with a "fan" or magnetic resistance unit?
>
> what do you use?
>
> If I want a bit more resistance, can I just stick an old towel or
something
> under the drums?
>
> cheers
"Me" <no@nohotmail.com> wrote in message news:3ff5595c@news.greennet.net...
> Hi, I have a rear mounted turbo trainer but am looking to get a set of rollers for some spinning
> exercise.
>
> I usually use the turbo in the lowest resistance setting, is there much point to getting rollers
> with a "fan" or magnetic resistance unit?
>
> what do you use?
>
> If I want a bit more resistance, can I just stick an old towel or
something
> under the drums?
>
> cheers
>
If you're used to the turbo on the easiest setting, you'll probably find plenty of resistance on
the rollers simply by shifting through the gears. In the 53/12, you can get a very good workout. In
the lower gears you can to ... but it's more a workout where you're building aerobic capacity by
spinning at high cadence. And the rollers are good at working on your form 'cuz if your form sucks,
you don't stay upright on the rollers very long. That's not to say they're hard to ride. They're
really not. They're like learning to ride a bike. It takes a minute, but when you get the feel,
it's easy.
Kreitlers are pretty much the best way to go. Get a basic set of Kreitler Challenger rollers. You
can add a "Headwind" resistance unit to these later if you find you need it. Kreitlers are built to
last and they're VERY smooth and pleasant to ride.
The drawback to rollers ... you pretty much have to keep your butt planted in the saddle. Few people
are able to control out-of-saddle efforts on the rollers. After an hour with your butt in the saddle
spinning, you'll know just how well your saddle fits you. I never went for all the "anatomy
friendly" saddles until I started doing long roller workouts.
And another poster suggested you set up in a doorway initially. That't a great suggestion. Set up so
that, when you're in riding position, your shoulder is even with the door jam. If you feel yourself
starting to lose balance, the slightest lean of your shoulder into that door jam will steady you
completely. You can set up right next to a wall and accomplish the same thing.
Bob C.
"Me" <no@nohotmail.com> wrote in message news:<3ff5595c@news.greennet.net>...
> Hi, I have a rear mounted turbo trainer but am looking to get a set of rollers for some spinning
> exercise.
>
> I usually use the turbo in the lowest resistance setting, is there much point to getting rollers
> with a "fan" or magnetic resistance unit?
>
> what do you use?
>
> If I want a bit more resistance, can I just stick an old towel or something under the drums?
>
Yes, an old towel or even a puppy will work just fine. You can also prop the front end of the
rollers on some shoeboxes, so that you are perpetually riding uphill. Consider putting a playing
card in your spokes, too, for a little extra resistance - with the added benefit of making you sound
like a motorcycle.
Good luck, and don't forget to keep a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit handy.
-RJ - loves roller riding, honest.
"Me" <no@nohotmail.com> wrote in message news:3ff5595c@news.greennet.net...
> Hi, I have a rear mounted turbo trainer but am looking to get a set of rollers for some spinning
> exercise.
>
> I usually use the turbo in the lowest resistance setting, is there much point to getting rollers
> with a "fan" or magnetic resistance unit?
>
> what do you use?
>
> If I want a bit more resistance, can I just stick an old towel or
something
> under the drums?
>
> cheers
>
If you're used to the turbo on the easiest setting, you'll probably find plenty of resistance on
the rollers simply by shifting through the gears. In the 53/12, you can get a very good workout. In
the lower gears you can to ... but it's more a workout where you're building aerobic capacity by
spinning at high cadence. And the rollers are good at working on your form 'cuz if your form sucks,
you don't stay upright on the rollers very long. That's not to say they're hard to ride. They're
really not. They're like learning to ride a bike. It takes a minute, but when you get the feel,
it's easy.
Kreitlers are pretty much the best way to go. Get a basic set of Kreitler Challenger rollers. You
can add a "Headwind" resistance unit to these later if you find you need it. Kreitlers are built to
last and they're VERY smooth and pleasant to ride.
The drawback to rollers ... you pretty much have to keep your butt planted in the saddle. Few people
are able to control out-of-saddle efforts on the rollers. After an hour with your butt in the saddle
spinning, you'll know just how well your saddle fits you. I never went for all the "anatomy
friendly" saddles until I started doing long roller workouts.
And another poster suggested you set up in a doorway initially. That't a great suggestion. Set up so
that, when you're in riding position, your shoulder is even with the door jam. If you feel yourself
starting to lose balance, the slightest lean of your shoulder into that door jam will steady you
completely. You can set up right next to a wall and accomplish the same thing.
Bob C.
"Me" <no@nohotmail.com> wrote in message news:3ff5595c@news.greennet.net...
> Hi, I have a rear mounted turbo trainer but am looking to get a set of rollers for some spinning
> exercise.
>
> I usually use the turbo in the lowest resistance setting, is there much point to getting rollers
> with a "fan" or magnetic resistance unit?
>
> what do you use?
>
> If I want a bit more resistance, can I just stick an old towel or
something
> under the drums?
>
> cheers
>
I would use something heavier than a towel (although I've never used resistance), maybe a piece of
carpet. You don't want the rollers to pick up the towel and whip it around the drum. A few other
suggestions:
1) Starting off next to a doorway or wall is a good idea, but I wouldn't recommend leaning a
shoulder into it - The bike will shoot out from under you. Start by riding with one hand on the
wall, and one hand on the handlebar.
2) It's awkward to shift gears when you're first starting out. Make sure you're in your biggest gear
before you get on the rollers (53x12 ?) I've found that the faster you spin the drums, the easier
it is to balance.
3) It's very easy to overcorrect and come off the rollers. If you find yourself drifting, make slow,
small adjustments. This is another reason I recommend against leaning - You want to keep your
body over the center of the bike, once you lean you're lost. If you take a hand off and put it on
the wall, you can still recover.
4) Try to set up in a place that will allow you to "ride it out" if you come off the rollers.
5) REMEMBER that you are clipped in! At the end of the workout, grab the wall before you try to clip
out (or do it while your still spinning the drums fast.) My only crash on the rollers happened
when I got on them after a long layoff. At the end of the workout I started to slow down without
clipping out, by the time I realized my mistake, the act of clipping out was enough to unbalance
me and sent me down in a heap.
6) Set up in a place where you can watch TV (after you get comfortable ridding) or listen to music.
It can get boring real fast
Have fun!
-T
Funny roller story - I had some Tacx rollers with PVC drums. Worked great on tile or hardwood, but when I moved to a place where I could only ride them on carpet the drums rubbed a bit and a static charge came right up through my body and I felt like lightning bolts were going to come out of my head.
I had fans with those rollers but never used them beyond just trying them out - the big gear was work enough, and I wasn't looking for a strength workout.
>> Hi, I have a rear mounted turbo trainer but am looking to get a set of rollers for some spinning
>> exercise.
>>
>> I usually use the turbo in the lowest resistance setting, is there much point to getting rollers
>> with a "fan" or magnetic resistance unit?
>>
>> what do you use?
>>
>> If I want a bit more resistance, can I just stick an old towel or
>something
>> under the drums?
>>
>> cheers
>>
Good advice from all, not sure you need to experiment with the towel, a
53/12-11 should provide ample resistance especially if you are going to improve/workout at a higher
cadence (one of the best reasons for roller). Also, take care on where you set up... Not sure if
this is just urban myth but, I read once where someone fell off their rollers into a window, the
glass shattered and the person bled to death. Good luck - Fred B.
Hi
I recently bought rollers, and they have been great. I have been using them for 1 month now, and this is what I have learned. I bought the Kreitlers, but the 3 inch instead of the 4.5 inch. This saved money, and gives more resistance at less cost. (Use a cheap fan to cool you). Begin riding without being clipped in, (I used sneakers) in a narrow hallway, and build from there. I rode in a hallway 3 times, before moving to my garage. When I first started riding, it was all I could do to stay on. Now I ride clipped in, stand for a period of 60 pedal revolutions every 5 minutes, and can ride with no hands. I also always start in the easiest gear- although the wheels aren't spinning as fast, you are also moving slower so you can get your balance. You can learn a tremendous amount rinding rollers, and get a good workout. Although you can stand, it is difficult to do an all out sprint, and this is where a trainer might be useful. But, as my technique gets better, I'm getting closer. Good luck!
Standing on rollers...my hat is off to you. I have been trying that move
for years!
"carrdc" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
news:8yVNb.192358$%.15316@fe09.usenetserver.com...
> Hi I recently bought rollers, and they have been great. I have been using them for 1 month now,
> and this is what I have learned. I bought the Kreitlers, but the 3 inch instead of the 4.5 inch.
> This saved money, and gives more resistance at less cost. (Use a cheap fan to cool you). Begin
> riding without being clipped in, (I used sneakers) in a narrow hallway, and build from there. I
> rode in a hallway 3 times, before moving to my garage. When I first started riding, it was all I
> could do to stay on. Now I ride clipped in, stand for a period of 60 pedal revolutions every 5
> minutes, and can ride with no hands. I also always start in the easiest gear- although the wheels
> aren't spinning as fast, you are also moving slower so you can get your balance. You can learn a
> tremendous amount rinding rollers, and get a good workout. Although you can stand, it is difficult
> to do an all out sprint, and this is where a trainer might be useful. But, as my technique gets
> better, I'm getting closer. Good luck!
>
>
>
> --
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