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Indoor training...rollers anyone?

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Old 10-08.-2004, 12:36 PM   #1
rcarbs
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Default Indoor training...rollers anyone?

I am in the process of setting up an indoor training program. I have looked at the Computrainer and the Velodyne. Both seem to be good systems. I have thought about the possibility of getting a power-tap or some similar measuring device so that I could use it indoors as well as outdoors. My question revolves around the training device. Rollers or a Trainer. I have read the Kreitler rollers have a fan option that offers resistance but I can't find out how much. Does any one know how effective of a training program that I could create with a Power-Tap and a set of Rollers? If someone has some experience that would steer me away from Rollers for resistance training I would appreciate it. If not, then maybe that would be a great way to train indoors.
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Old 10-08.-2004, 03:58 PM   #2
ric_stern/RST
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Default Re: Indoor training...rollers anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcarbs
I am in the process of setting up an indoor training program. I have looked at the Computrainer and the Velodyne. Both seem to be good systems. I have thought about the possibility of getting a power-tap or some similar measuring device so that I could use it indoors as well as outdoors. My question revolves around the training device. Rollers or a Trainer. I have read the Kreitler rollers have a fan option that offers resistance but I can't find out how much. Does any one know how effective of a training program that I could create with a Power-Tap and a set of Rollers? If someone has some experience that would steer me away from Rollers for resistance training I would appreciate it. If not, then maybe that would be a great way to train indoors.



the rollers i had, didn't have a resistance unit, so i could never train very hard on them (good for recovery spin though). now, i just use a trainer and my power tap. of course, if you have or can get a resistance unit for your rollers that may be fine.

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Old 11-08.-2004, 01:50 AM   #3
jws
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Default Re: Indoor training...rollers anyone?

I use a PTap on Kreitlers with a Headwind attachment. They work great and you can get lots of resistance. The nice thing about doing power training on rollers or a trainer is that you can keep the power dialed in within 10 Watts or so by keeping constant speed.

I would highly recommend the PT, since you can train with or race it outdoors and turn your rollers into an ergometer; it's so versatile.

good luck, Jimmy
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Old 11-08.-2004, 09:40 AM   #4
rcarbs
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Default Re: Indoor training...rollers anyone?

Thanks for your reply. What is the max wattage that you have been able to generate with your rollers? I know some of the trainers will provide up to 1500watts of resistance I will never even be close to 1/3 of that for training.
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Old 11-08.-2004, 11:28 PM   #5
jws
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Default Re: Indoor training...rollers anyone?

I suppose I could generate on the rollers close to what I do on the road, though stability is an issue on any trainer. Your power output is dependent on your speed as well as the resistance setting. I set mine to where resistance seems similar to a flat road, though all trainers have different resistance curves.

The bottom line is that if you want to work harder, just use a bigger gear or pedal faster. With a PTap you will notice that with the same resistance setting, your power output will correlate closely will speed.

Jimmy



Quote:
Originally Posted by rcarbs
Thanks for your reply. What is the max wattage that you have been able to generate with your rollers? I know some of the trainers will provide up to 1500watts of resistance I will never even be close to 1/3 of that for training.

Last edited by jws : 11-08.-2004 at 11:47 PM.
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Old 12-08.-2004, 12:37 AM   #6
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Default Re: Indoor training...rollers anyone?

If you have the money go for a PT and ergometer (I have a PT & Computrainer). I can't imagine doing VO2 intervals on rollers. Who wants to worry about staying upright when going through hell? Who wants to worry about trying to maintain a certain wattage when going through such pain?Just set your ergometer and go. The PT is good for the road and uploading into software, even after an indoor ergometer session.
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Old 12-08.-2004, 07:49 PM   #7
gonzalovilaseca
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Default Re: Indoor training...rollers anyone?

This season I've been training indoors during the labour days, using an ergomo and an elite travel mag trainer. I've learned two things:
1) Indoor training is veeery boring.
2) I couldn't translate my outdoor power indoors, I had to do intervals 10-15 watts lower indoors. The cause could be 2 things:
a) Lack of ventilation (I only used 1 fan)
b) The trainer doesn't have the same inertias as when riding outdoors

I was told that velodyne (too expensive for me) and kreitler rollers gave the best road feel.
For next year I plan to use 2 fans, and maybe get a pair of kreitler rollers with fan resitance and fork stand, the downside is I can't get theese in Europe.
If I where you I would use a powermeter and rollers, this way all your measures would come from the same source and you will get more consistent data.
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