or How 'bout rollers?

[shadon]

I see several on Craigslist. Are they difficult to use? or to learn to use?

[lauraelmore1033]

I had a set of low end rollers last year and didn't really like them. and didn't really use them as much as I should have:o. This year I got a trainer that I like much better. It's a Travel track Millennium and is great for doing spinervals or just mindless grinding while watching tv. You could HAVE my rollers if you're in my neck of the woods any time soon...

[HillSlugger]

I've been riding a Performance fluid trainer for several years and just switched to parabolic rollers. The rollers are so much harder, but I get a much better workout on them. If I had standard rollers I would have ridden of the end dozens of times! Fluid trainer are supposed to be quieter than magnetic; the rollers are quieter than the trainer.

[shadon]

I've been riding a Performance fluid trainer for several years and just switched to parabolic rollers. The rollers are so much harder, but I get a much better workout on them. If I had standard rollers I would have ridden of the end dozens of times! Fluid trainer are supposed to be quieter than magnetic; the rollers are quieter than the trainer.

Which Performance Trainer do you have? Though I'd rather by from an LBS, some of the Performance trainers are pretty cheap, and cost is a big issue right now.

[OakLeaf]

It's been an awfully long time since I rode rollers, but I don't remember it being particularly hard to learn, and it's really great for your form.

[7rider]

I see several on Craigslist. Are they difficult to use? or to learn to use?

Rollers are a wonderful tool to teach you how to pedal circles and ride a steady, straight line with minimal body movement. It teaches you efficiency on the bike and is less "forgiving" of bad habits.

There is a good thread on learning to ride rollers here: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=20494

I ride rollers. I don't find them difficult, but they did take a bit of practice to learn. Your riding style improves for the effort, however.

[HillSlugger]

Which Performance Trainer do you have? Though I'd rather by from an LBS, some of the Performance trainers are pretty cheap, and cost is a big issue right now.
I have a 4 year old Travel Trac Century Adjustable Fluid Plus Trainer (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20982&subcategory_ID=4120). I find the resistance adjustment to be pretty worthless and you can do everything you need by shifting gears.

Riding rollers harder than riding a trainer. It is definitely not the way to do a relaxing spin on the bike while you watch TV (even though I do watch tv) but I'm sure that it is going to improve my form and ability to hold a straight line out on the road. I feel like the trainer is good for keeping up my base miles and fitness but that the rollers will do all that AND improve my riding form.

[AutumnBreez]

Hello,
You can watch and roll with this trainer:

http://www.kreitler.com/product.php?section=product&item=training_stations

Though depending where you have your sensor for your mileage, the front fork is without wheel. It is set on the trainer and tightened. It is easy to set up. Best part about this system is the fan- make sure you get the fan it keeps you cool even though it is for resistance.

Take care- AutumnBreez
I might be moving to Colorado, hope I will know soon. Where are the best places to ride in Lakewood area?

[equus123]

Hello. There should be lots of threads floating around here that are related to rollers but to answer your question....

Rollers are a wonderful thing but everybody needs several rides to get the hang of it. If you're new to riding in general then plan a couple weeks to get used to the feeling and your balance. They're great because you work on balance, you work on riding technique, you work on pedaling technique, and you work on smoothness. I'm not going to lie, they're pretty tricky at first but once you get the hang of it, you're fine. Just no sudden movements. ;) They're no louder than an indoor trainer. But rollers are really great if you are looking for something different and/or you're someone who does a lot of indoor riding during bad/cold weather months. Almost anybody would recommend getting a set.

If you have a trainer or have ever ridden a trainer, you don't necessarily notice how it affects your riding until you move onto them full time during the winter. But one ride outside (or on rollers) make you use your first 10 minutes to get used to regular riding vs. "trainer riding" again. I hate riding a trainer unless I need to do specific workouts or intervals otherwise I'm on my rollers.

When you first get them, it's generally best to set it up in a doorway so that you have something to either bang into or hold onto on each side. If, god forbid, you do swerve off of them, your wheels slowly stop spinning and 99% of the time you do a slow motion fall over. Most of the time it's accompanied by hysterical laughter from yourself or anybody else in the room. In fact just yesterday I went over but caught the wall and was able to clip out before I even started falling. (I got caught up in telling a story to my teammates about winning a road race and went right off the side. lol)

I say go for it! It WILL help.

[KnottedYet]

Logs might be more fun than rollers: http://youtube.com/watch?v=AKEHoA_xl-U

gotta love Surly Pugsley!

[HillSlugger]

I guess those are rollers for the off-road crowd. I suppose they'd have to be home made. Cool.

[gnat23]

Logs might be more fun than rollers: http://youtube.com/watch?v=AKEHoA_xl-U

gotta love Surly Pugsley!

This. Is. BRILLIANT!

My boyfriend is training for the Transrockies mountain bike race. I forsee a project in my future...

-- gnat!

[HillSlugger]

I have a wheel and tire dedicated to using on the trainer. Is it ok to use my regular tires on the rollers? Do I want to keep them inflated to typical road pressure?

[7rider]

I have a wheel and tire dedicated to using on the trainer. Is it ok to use my regular tires on the rollers? Do I want to keep them inflated to typical road pressure?

I just use my regular tires and wheels for my PVC rollers. No dedicated anything. I keep the tires at my standard pressure (105-110 psi).

My DH also uses the same wheels and tires on his AL rollers. We noted some "shining" that happened to his tires when he used his for the first time. We don't know if that's usual, or due to the fact that the rollers are brand new (he hasn't used the rollers since) and/or aluminum, but he's since done road rides on those same times. The shining's gone away and the tread appears to be fine.