J-Dawg said:
Just getting back into riding after a few years hiadus, and picked up a indoor roller trainer for those rainy days or late nites
it doesn't currently have the front front stand, and I've yet to get it from UPS yet
but how easy is it to start out riding on it, and what should I becareful with and is it easy to keep balance? should I use my clips and shoes? I don't wanna keep swapping pedals from day to day
thanks for the help
Jim
Hello J,
I have to pipe in simply because I am the self appointed "rollers" person in the cycling circles I travel in (no pun intended)
Nothing will perfect your spin better than a set of rollers, and keep in mind that Rollers and Trainers are two different tools for two different aspects of cycling. Rollers work on balance, smoothness, spin, and even bike handling skills. Trainers are for building strength as rollers typically don't have enough resistance to generate a good strength workout.
Be careful about the fork stand for the rollers, If you're simply going to spin along I think they are alright, but if you're a heavier rider and are going to really hammer out of the saddle using it, they are a bit harder on the frame and fork than trainers are. Front forks are just not made for that kind of stress.
Best way to start with rollers is to set them up in a doorway in such a way that if you stick your hand out, you can comfortablly brace against either doorjamb. As you get more confident, then setting them up next to a counter or workbench on one side or the other will be good enough, and even after that you should be able to build enough confidence to put them in the middle of a room stamping down with on leg to get the spin going and then clipping in with the other foot without missing a beat. That's what I do as I usually watch old TdF coverage from OLN while on the rollers. A positive spinoff of this is that you now have no "out" as in something to break your fall if you fall so if you feel confident in riding rollers this way, its because you really do have some decent skills. This translates to the real road as well as you will find it far easier to ride close to the curb without being twitchy (even at high speed) and you will feel more like a part of the bike's balance rather than simply something "on" it since rollers also train your concentration whereas trainers often induce mindless daydreaming.
Some safety tips:
1. cleated shoes of any type have NO traction on the rollers frame (typically a nice shiny, slippery metal) so first thing to do after you get yours is to get some traction tape of some kind and put it all along the top of the roller frame where you would normally step on and off.
2. When starting out, faster is easier as the faster you go on the rollers, the more stable you are and smaller inputs cause gradual direction changes as opposed to going slow where your inputs will always lag and cause that oscillation which always dumps people new to rollers right on the ground.
3. Easier said than done, but DO NOT PANIC if you are getting close to one side of the rollers or the other... Panic is what dumps you more often than mistakes... as you get close to one side of the rollers, lean slightly in the opposite direction rather than trying to "turn" away. Once you get confident on the rollers, you'll realize that actually, no turning of the bars is ever necessary, just a small "lean" in the direction you want to go is enough.
4. Staring at the front roller is the best way to freak yourself out. It will seem VERY surprising to you later on, but its easier to ride, dead straight in the middle of the rollers if you pick a point on the far wall, stare at it and simply ride at a steady pace. Its also very good practice for form as you rarely ride on the road staring down at the ground for an hour straight
5. If you do ride off the end of the rollers (away from the counter for example) again, do not freak out and wildly try to unclip. That will get you laying on the ground every time. Instead, let the front wheel drop off the side, stand up in the saddle lurch forward slightly to pull the rear off the rear rollers and then while riding forward slowly hop the rear wheel over the frame (like you would hop the rear wheel up onto the curb) and ride clear while then unclipping a foot. Sounds wildly hard, but the first time you do it you'll say "easy" Its the panic that's uncomfortable
and if you're going to fall, why not fall while trying the elegant way out instead of simply flailing to the ground?
6. You'll get numb hands, sore arms and sore bum faster and to a much greater degree on rollers than if you were out on the road because the smoothness of the rollers allows you to spin along in the same exact position bsically, forever. So make sure you shift hand positions often and try to learn soon how to ride out of the saddle every now and again on the rollers to give your private bits a break
Being on the rollers is tougher on the hands and arms because the lack of resistance (that you get while under load on the real road) does not allow your legs to "press" under load thus bearing some of the weight momentarily off your upperbody and thus your arms...
In no time at all, maybe 20 or 30 hours total riding time, you'll be able to sprint out of the saddle, ride no hands, use your water bottle, all kinds of things that seem impossible now. And when you're on the real road EVERYTHING will seem easier!
Do things one step at a time, stay calm, and it will all come naturally... The coolest thing about the rollers is that you get that "Hey! Look at me! I can ride a bike!" feeling all over again like when you were 4 LoL!
Sorry to be so long winded...
Feanor
