Trainer or Rollers?

[Hell and High Water]

Which do you use?

Which is better in your opinion?


What are the main differences, with regards to the results you achieve?


TIA,

-Bob

 

[[email protected]]

On Dec 14, 5:01 pm, Hell and High Water <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Which do you use?
>
> Which is better in your opinion?
>
> What are the main differences, with regards to the results you achieve?
>
> TIA,
>
> -Bob

I use rollers. I like having to concentrate on not crashing. I am
heavy enough that rollers give enough resistance for as good a workout
as I need. I used to have some plastic Tacx rollers, but last year I
splurged on some expensive TruTrainer ones. The extra inertia allows
me to do standing sprints if I want. I amuse myself by riding as close
to the edge as I dare, riding no hands, and with my eyes closed.

For me the main difference is that I use them, while I would not use a
stationary trainer. Too boring and you have to mount it (not that hard
but a good excuse when you are lazy) while with rollers you just throw
on the bike and go.

Joseph

 

[SlowRider]

On Dec 14, 9:01 am, Hell and High Water <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Which do you use?

Cyclops trainer

> Which is better in your opinion?

I've never tried rollers, though I want to someday. I like doing
video workouts or just cruising along watching old TdF videos or
movies. Generally I don't get bored.

If you get a trainer, I recommend hooking up a cheap computer to
monitor speed/mileage. I find it's easier to gage a workout using
average speed or total mileage rather than time.

As to which is better, I'd say whatever gets you on the bike. If you
get a chance to try both before you buy, by all means do it.


- JR

 

[Hell and High Water]

In article <2ee24e40-dccb-4760-b0f9-
[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
> On Dec 14, 9:01 am, Hell and High Water <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> > Which do you use?
>
> Cyclops trainer
>
> > Which is better in your opinion?
>
> I've never tried rollers, though I want to someday. I like doing
> video workouts or just cruising along watching old TdF videos or
> movies. Generally I don't get bored.
>
> If you get a trainer, I recommend hooking up a cheap computer to
> monitor speed/mileage. I find it's easier to gage a workout using
> average speed or total mileage rather than time.
>
> As to which is better, I'd say whatever gets you on the bike. If you
> get a chance to try both before you buy, by all means do it.


Thanks so much for the thoughts!


-Bob

 

[Hell and High Water]

In article <d994a977-6757-48e1-b81a-4baaa1f3b1b5
@b1g2000pra.googlegroups.com>, [email protected] says...
> On Dec 14, 5:01 pm, Hell and High Water <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> > Which do you use?
> >
> > Which is better in your opinion?
> >
> > What are the main differences, with regards to the results you achieve?
> >
> > TIA,
> >
> > -Bob
>
> I use rollers. I like having to concentrate on not crashing. I am
> heavy enough that rollers give enough resistance for as good a workout
> as I need. I used to have some plastic Tacx rollers, but last year I
> splurged on some expensive TruTrainer ones. The extra inertia allows
> me to do standing sprints if I want. I amuse myself by riding as close
> to the edge as I dare, riding no hands, and with my eyes closed.
>
> For me the main difference is that I use them, while I would not use a
> stationary trainer. Too boring and you have to mount it (not that hard
> but a good excuse when you are lazy) while with rollers you just throw
> on the bike and go.

Thanks for your thoughts!


-Bob

 

[Jym Dyer]

Hell and High Water writes:

> Which do you use?
>
> Which is better in your opinion?

=v= High Water. So much better than Hell.

http://www.things.org/~jym/bicycles/pix/flooded-in-graveson.jpg

<_Jym_>

 

[Mike A Schwab]

On Dec 14, 10:01 am, Hell and High Water <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Which do you use?
>
> Which is better in your opinion?
>
> What are the main differences, with regards to the results you achieve?
>
> TIA,
>
> -Bob

A trainer is better for building strength without worrying about
bicycle handling skills. Gets pretty boring. You can use a phone
book under the front tire to level the bicycle.

A roller requires you to learn how to ride in a straight line and keep
your balance. Even once you are good at staying on, all the handling
skills keeps the ride more interesting.

Both can transmit a lot of noise, so a rubber mat underneath is highly
recommended. You will be producing a lot of body heat, so a cool
location, fan, towel over the top tube are recommended. TV with
interesting content, especially bicycle races DVDs (like the TDF one)
will reduce the boredom, but DO NOT LEAN with the riders. You will
either get off the rollers or fall off the bicycle on the trainer.

 

[[email protected]]

On Dec 15, 7:24 am, Mike A Schwab <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Dec 14, 10:01 am, Hell and High Water <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> > Which do you use?
>
> > Which is better in your opinion?
>
> > What are the main differences, with regards to the results you achieve?
>
> > TIA,
>
> > -Bob
>
> A trainer is better for building strength without worrying about
> bicycle handling skills. Gets pretty boring. You can use a phone
> book under the front tire to level the bicycle.
>
> A roller requires you to learn how to ride in a straight line and keep
> your balance. Even once you are good at staying on, all the handling
> skills keeps the ride more interesting.
>
> Both can transmit a lot of noise, so a rubber mat underneath is highly
> recommended. You will be producing a lot of body heat, so a cool
> location, fan, towel over the top tube are recommended. TV with
> interesting content, especially bicycle races DVDs (like the TDF one)
> will reduce the boredom, but DO NOT LEAN with the riders. You will
> either get off the rollers or fall off the bicycle on the trainer.

Ah yes! I forgot the famous "don't lean with the riders!" And with the
lights off so all you can see is the screen showing video taken from a
motorcycle on an alpine descent, this can be quite difficult!

Joseph

 

[Tom Sherman]

Jym Dyer wrote:
> Hell and High Water writes:
>
>> Which do you use?
>>
>> Which is better in your opinion?
>
> =v= High Water. So much better than Hell.
>
> http://www.things.org/~jym/bicycles/pix/flooded-in-graveson.jpg

What do you have against
<http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=hell,+mi&ie=UTF8&ll=42.435066,-83.985822&spn=0.007744,0.014462&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1>?

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

 

[Tim McTeague]

"Hell and High Water" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Which do you use?
>
> Which is better in your opinion?
>
>
> What are the main differences, with regards to the results you achieve?
>
>
> TIA,
>
> -Bob

I have had various trainers over the years and hated them all. I now use
Kreitler rollers, the 3" drum model, and, while I still hate indoor riding,
feel I am adding to my bike handling skills while maintaining a certain
degree of fitness. Hardcore indoor riders say you can increase you fitness
on trainers as you can do full on sprints, something tough to do on rollers.
With the 3" diameter rollers I find that I can really work up a sweat, while
using a fan on my face, just by changing gears. Because you have to keep
your balance the sensation of actually riding a bike is greater than
trainers. Rollers are a little tricky to learn but it only takes 2-3
attempts for most folks.

Tim McTeague

 

[Hell and High Water]

"Tim McTeague" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Hell and High Water" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Which do you use?
> >
> > Which is better in your opinion?
> >
> >
> > What are the main differences, with regards to the results you achieve?
> >
> >
> > TIA,
> >
> > -Bob
>
> I have had various trainers over the years and hated them all. I now use
> Kreitler rollers, the 3" drum model, and, while I still hate indoor
riding,
> feel I am adding to my bike handling skills while maintaining a certain
> degree of fitness. Hardcore indoor riders say you can increase you
fitness
> on trainers as you can do full on sprints, something tough to do on
rollers.
> With the 3" diameter rollers I find that I can really work up a sweat,
while
> using a fan on my face, just by changing gears. Because you have to keep
> your balance the sensation of actually riding a bike is greater than
> trainers. Rollers are a little tricky to learn but it only takes 2-3
> attempts for most folks.
>
> Tim McTeague


Thanks to all for their input!


-Bob