Retro Bob said:Trainer or rollers ? Obviously both are ideal, but space and hassle
may limit me to one.If you had to choose one - which and why ?
I've had both, including very nice Kreitler rollers, and went with a
trainer.
Rollers definitely help with your balance, they smooth out your spin,
and are totally painless to "connect" to the bike. With a fan unit like
Kreitler's, they provide plenty of drag. (Can't speak to the drag of
the small-diameter rollers, haven't tried 'em.)
The down side to rollers for me was the need for continous
concentration. Not a problem when I was just riding the rollers, but
boredom set in, so I started watching old Tour de France tapes while I
rolled. When the camera motos started turning the corners with the
breaks, I had a dangerous tendency to try to go with them. A stationary
trainer solves that.
The fan unit on the Kreitler was also on the loud side (as are wind
trainers), making it hard to hear Phil & Paul on the telly.
Trainers don't do squat for your balance, and little if anything for
your spin smoothness, but as some famous racer once said, "I already
know how to balance."
Mark Janeba