Rollers vs Trainer

[ASammy1]

What do you think? I am asking for one of these for Christmas and was looking for your opinions.

Thanks!

Andrea

[Aint Doody]

I love my rollers. There is another thread here from last year that discusses this ad infinitum. There's a definite learning curve to using rollers. It's a great workout.

[equus123]

You can look at it either way....

ROLLERS
Pros - mimics riding on the road, works on your balance, works on coordination, smoothing out pedal strokes

Cons - Balance!!!!!, can't really take your attention away, can't really sit up or look around too much, some cheaper ones don't have much resistance


TRAINER
Pros - you can do pretty much anything in terms of training on a trainer, you can sit up and move around, you can't fall over, you don't have to keep a sharp focus on your balance

Cons - you're stuck in one place, some extra torsion on your frame, doesn't equate to road riding

[short cut sally]

I had this same discussion with one of the cycling guru docs at work yesterday, as I'm debating the whole trainer-roller thing. He said make sure you start off in a hallway or doorway, have a step stool, and don't brake to stop or you will catapault yourself off the rollers and he said go with a name brand...Rollers mimic the road but he said once you get the hang of balancing, it's just about as boring as the trainers are. I've never tried either so I can't say one way or the other but I am heading towards the rollers.

[ridebikeme]

There's definitely some great information here! The other thing that hasn't been mentioned is that if you were wanting to do a program with Spinervals, CTS Training right, then it would be VERY difficult to do on rollers! I know there are some people that can ride rollers and incorporate these into their programs. although as someone who has used these for many years, I can't believe that most people would be able to. Just another thought....

[OakLeaf]

It's been a very long time for me, but I'm seriously considering a new set of rollers.

I think the question comes down to whether you want to work on form (rollers), or strength (trainer). Keeping in mind that road riding will always throw strength workouts at you in the form of hills or headwinds - while form work must always be intentional - and you can also work on strength by doing other exercises in the gym - it's rollers for me.

[7rider]

You can look at it either way....

ROLLERS
Pros - mimics riding on the road, works on your balance, works on coordination, smoothing out pedal strokes

Cons - Balance!!!!!, can't really take your attention away, can't really sit up or look around too much, some cheaper ones don't have much resistance




I would say your con (balance) for rollers is actually a plus (as you already mentioned). Nothing works to keep you still and efficient on your bike as rollers. They are unforgiving of bad technique, but once you get it down, they improve your riding as no trainer can. And what's the point of riding indoors if not to have some positive benefit, eh? Cardio benes being equal (for added resistance, just shift up), the rollers will make you a better rider. And, FWIW, my DH can ride no-hands, take his shirt off, wipe down, and take a drink of water while spinning away on his rollers. I am no-where near that...but some day...maybe I'll be able to drink without stopping! ;)
By the way...I do my Spinerval DVDs all the time while riding rollers. I don't stand up when they stand (DH does), but shift up an do everything else just fine....

[Velobambina]

7, you amaze me! Spinervals on ROLLERS? You must have incredible balance. More power to you.

I, for one, am too timid to try rollers. I've had one too many broken bones from my athletic endeavors to risk wiping out. I'd have to wear a helmet, for crying out loud.

[Becky]

I tried rollers today for the first time. Hey, it was a slow morning at work- why not? ;) Omigosh, I almost killed myself- much to the amusement of the boys! Never did manage to let go of the doorway, but it was a great workout and I discovered how un-smooth my pedaling is. I can see how rollers would really refine your technique! I'm seriously considering a set.....

[redrhodie]

I tried rollers today for the first time. Hey, it was a slow morning at work- why not? ;) Omigosh, I almost killed myself- much to the amusement of the boys! Never did manage to let go of the doorway, but it was a great workout and I discovered how un-smooth my pedaling is. I can see how rollers would really refine your technique! I'm seriously considering a set.....

Wait, was this you :D? Nice job!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UFwHWSnGM&feature=related

[gingerale]

Wait, was this you :D? Nice job!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UFwHWSnGM&feature=related

:eek: No rollers for me in this lifetime!

[bike4ever]

The you tube video was awesome. His biggest mistake was looking down and not focusing out front of his wheel.

I've done spinervals on my rollers. Like 7, I'm not able to stand; however, I am able to do everything else.

Since I don't have a road bike right now, I've been using my new 29er on the rollers. Sounds like a freight train, but fun with balance. My height getting onto the saddle is different, so I haven't been confident enough yet to hop up on the rollers without holding a chair. I do plan on using them all winter to see how slow I can pedal - an important, challenging skill for mountain bike riding.

[OakLeaf]

The you tube video was awesome. His biggest mistake was looking down and not focusing out front of his wheel.

And trying to get on without using the stepstool that came attached to his freakin rollers :p

[yellow]

As a convert to rollers, I have to say that I like them. A lot. The whole balance thing has been very good for me to focus on. I have a ways to go before I approach graceful technique (I can stand, but can't ride no-handed yet). I suspect the trainer will collect dust this winter.

I've never ridden off the edge, or flown off anything. It took me a while to get a clue about using a stepstool, though. :rolleyes: You think I would have caught on earlier given that my rollers have 4" drums.

To me, the rollers do not have "road feel". My personal experience is that the only thing that feels like riding on the road is...riding on the road.

[Becky]

Wait, was this you :D? Nice job!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UFwHWSnGM&feature=related

Nope, but it may as well have been ;)

[7rider]

I've never ridden off the edge, or flown off anything.

I have.
And I lived to tell you all about it! :D
It was actually no big deal (although I don't exactly recommend trying it for the experience!). The rollers are set up on some boards in a carpeted room (next to the stair railing so I can hold on while getting started or stopping to drink), and the bike slid off my DH's rollers and on to the carpet. And stopped dead. And upright. BTW, my rollers are parabolic, so it's just about darned near impossible to ride off the edge of mine.

[ridebikeme]

WOW! that's great that you are able to do the Spinervals DVD's on your rollers! Are you able to get the same intensity and do the one leg intervals? A group of us has been doing Spinervals for a few years, and the people that generally ride rollers tend to ride their trainers while doing the DVD'S. They are very good riders,(both men & women) but don't feel as though they can put in the same effort, stand or do the one leg intervals as well on the rollers. I agree, with you that the rollers have many benefits, and definitely help once you are back out on the road. But certainly a bit more adjustment when doing the DVD'S.

[arielmoon]

I rode on rollers for the second time today and even with the balance issues, I like it waay better than the trainer. I used a chair to lean on until I was brave enough to get both hands on the bars. I found it really helps to use the core muscles to balance and pedal faster when I get wobbly. :D