How long did it take you to balance on rollers?

Tried rollers for the first time today. Oh my... Now I know why I've never been able to ride "no hands." My balance is terrible, my stroke is jerky, and my right leg is much stronger than my left. It will take weeks to redevelop muscle strength/balance & to strengthen all the little micromuscles necessary to stay upright. Perhaps if I dropped some weight too. It can't help to have an extra 20 pounds bouncing around.

Did anybody else need a couple of months to learn how to balance on rollers? :confused:

Feeling like a klutz in Connecticut

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Originally Posted by awm03

Did anybody else need a couple of months to learn how to balance on rollers? :confused:

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What kind of cadence do you maintain on the road? High cadence and smooth pedaling go hand in hand. Maybe try some downhill intervals, or motorpacing if you can find a driver you trust. It's really not about balance, except the first couple of pedal strokes getting on. After that, the gyroscopic forces keep you upright, and it's all about smoothness.

I have no idea what kind of road cadence. We bike in hilly terrain, and I'm always trying to grind up the next hill. Very few flats around here. Maybe that's why my stroke is so uneven.

Believe me, I try to spin as fast as I can. But I can't let go of the doorway for a second even without starting to tip. Maybe it will take a long time before I smooth out my pedal stroke. I guess in the back of my mind I worry that I may never be able to ride the rollers. Was hoping to hear ,"Oh yeah -- it took me two months, but I got it."

You will get it! You might also want and try a chain next to you. Also try to look forward rather than down. Good Luck!

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Originally Posted by awm03

I have no idea what kind of road cadence. We bike in hilly terrain, and I'm always trying to grind up the next hill. Very few flats around here. Maybe that's why my stroke is so uneven.

Believe me, I try to spin as fast as I can. But I can't let go of the doorway for a second even without starting to tip. Maybe it will take a long time before I smooth out my pedal stroke. I guess in the back of my mind I worry that I may never be able to ride the rollers. Was hoping to hear ,"Oh yeah -- it took me two months, but I got it."

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Maybe you're spinning TOO fast, and bouncing is giving you the problems.
Try increasing the gearing, slow down your cadence (on the rollers), and focus on a smooth circle pedal stroke.

A few other tips my DH gave me:
1. Look at a point about 10 feet in front (and centered) of you and try to "ride" to that point. Do NOT look down at the bike or rollers.
2. Speed is your friend. It's easier - especially initially - to ride fast on rollers than to ride slowly.
3. Relax your upper body. No "death grip" on the handlebars! ;)

It took me a while to get comfortable on rollers. I STILL can't drink while I'm riding (DH can) and have to stop and grab a railing to drink. And...I have "cheater" rollers - parabolic rollers which are just about impossible to ride off! Good luck, keep at it. Rollers are a great way to improve your efficiency and pedalling style. And...because you have to pedal all the time - no coasting! - it's a GREAT workout.

Yeah, it took me a while to get the hang of it, too. It's so freaking nerve racking the first dozen time you get on them. Why does it feel like you've never ridden a bike before?!

But I assure you, take the time to ride them often until you get the hang of it. Once you build that, you don't lose it - only if you ride a trainer a lot. By riding outside your balance will totally translate to the rollers and vice versa. In time you'll feel super smooth with your riding and it's definitely because of the rollers.

I'm at the point where I can do anything out of the saddle, drink from my bottle, have a conversation with somebody next to me, and get off without any help. I think because of my Look pedals, I'll never be able to start without holding onto anything (or anybody). As soon as I start pedaling, my unclipped pedal spins around and makes it almost impossible to clip in while continuously pedaling. lol Sometimes I really wish I had Speedplays! :p

But don't worry. Feeling like you've never ridden before is totally normal. Also - think of this as a good thing. It's the best reason ever for getting rollers! You need to work on smoothness and balance. You'll be smooth as butter in no time. ;)

Oh! Spinning too fast & bouncing -- now that's a good point. Will try a higher gear.

As for the tense upper body & death grip, that's part of my problem too, I'm sure. Tried rolling this a.m. next to the washing machine instead of in the doorway. I was less upright, so that helped too.

And yes, I'm surprised how good a workout rollers provide.

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Originally Posted by equus123

I'll never be able to start without holding onto anything (or anybody).

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There's a wonderful Youtube video of Eddy Merckx riding his rollers (type "Merckx rollers" in Google search). And even HE has to hold on to something when he first starts.

Of course, he's instantly balanced even when pedalling slowly & he can look down with no problem. The evenness and concision of his riding is amazing. No wasted motion.

Thanks so much, everybody, for the encouragement.

This is a great thread. After concentrating last year on just getting in my miles and climbing, I have a pretty "mashy" style. I'm planning on doing lots of 1-leg pedaling and spinning higher rpms on the trainer for the next 3 months or so, but I secretly wonder if I should be on rollers instead.

Along with the cost of buying them, I'm nervous, because I am NOT a naturally coordinated person.

Yike, I just checked out that YouTube video. Rollers look SCARY!! I can just see myself flying right off of there to the side.:eek:

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Originally Posted by Starfish

I can just see myself flying right off of there to the side.:eek:

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Even that's not a big deal - trust me, I've done it. It's not like falling on the road, because you have no forward momentum. It's more like tipping over from a FTU, except you'll burn your tire or the carpet a little bit.

I've fallen off my DH's rollers, too, and was surprised at how "no big deal" it was. I don't think I'd want to do it on purpose...but it's not the end of the world!

Someone on another site posted a link to e-motion rollers - truely a do-it-all trainer. Incredibly expensiver, but cool.
Check out the videos for riding here:
http://www.insideride.com/index.php?...d=64&Itemid=50
I think an interesting one is the last one, labelled "Mounting/Dismounting".
I don't know if it's something I'd try on "regular" or even parabolic rollers, but it's something to aspire to! :p

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Originally Posted by Regina

I think an interesting one is the last one, labelled "Mounting/Dismounting".

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:eek: Now THAT is balance!

I've ridden rollers at exhibitions in the past... I had to keep going until someone was free to give me their shoulder so I could get off!

Yeah, those e-motion rollers look great. For $735, they'd better be! I bought the Minoura rollers for $140 with the wheel guides & the dismount step.

So how long did it take you all to ride on rollers? 2 weeks? 2 days?

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Originally Posted by awm03

So how long did it take you all to ride on rollers? 2 weeks? 2 days?

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Probably the latter. Maybe 3. But "attempts" ... not days. I don't ride them every day.

My first attempt was for only a few minutes...on hand on the handlebars, one hand on the railing, my DH standing in front of me, saying "Look at me, don't look at the bike. You can do it!" I'd let go of the railing -- keeping it hovering right next to it, in case I felt I needed to grab it.

I think my second attempt lasted about 7 minutes, and then my butt was killing me! Since I can't stand on the bike, I couldn't really shift positions, so all my tense pressure was concentrated on my butt. I was gradually increasing the amount of time my hand stayed off the railing.

By the third attempt, I made a grab with my second hand for the handlebar. And then I had a revelation. It was actually easier to keep the bike steady with 2 hands on the handlebars and NONE on the railing. Go figure! :p

By then, it was just a matter of getting comfortable on the bike while rolling. I'm still no expert on it, yet I move the bike around while rolling to explore the edges of the rollers and I'm working on riding one-handed so I can get that water bottle while riding! Smoothness and confidence comes with frequent use, I think.

I have the emotion--which I love & believe is worth every penny. It probably took me about 2 weeks to feel comfortable. At first I could only ride without holding on for 10 min at a time. And if I had to scratch my nose, I had to stop & grab on. It's all mental. And the part about relaxing is so important. But don't relax so much that you don't pay attention to what you're doing! The rollers are a tremendous work-out. I still stop to drink, as my bottles fit rather tightly in my cages. And definitely get a fan to blow on you. Good luck!

1. It helps to make sure your front brake isn't sticking. Otherwise, it makes for very jerky pedal strokes. :o

2. 20-year-old son technique works great! I was hanging onto the washing machine & the bike for dear life. This makes for an unnatural riding position & too much upper body stiffness, which becomes worse when I try to move both hands to the handlebars. Disastrous wobbling! Better technique: have 20-year-old son grab you by the shoulders while you get in normal, comfy, relaxed biking position. When he lets go, he's there to spot for you. I was able to go a whole 10 seconds using the 20-year-old son technique! Unfortunately, 20-year-old son had to go to a Christmas party and couldn't spot for dear old Mom after a few minutes.

Substituted DH for 20-year-old son. I was able to ride for several minutes this time. He walked away to catch some scores on TV, I stopped to catch my breath. Started up *all by myself* & rode for a few minutes more!!!

1. Aint Doody is right: it IS mostly mental and upper body relaxation is the key. The trick is getting over the fear so you can relax (or learn to relax while you're scared to death :D ). I focused on getting my elbows in close & low, & keeping my forearms very loose. Lamaze breathing helps too (also good for needle phobias; useless for childbirth though).

2. Once you've ridden unaided, lightbullbs start clicking on in your head. You realize the bike can still wobble quite a bit but you won't fall. You see that the bike can travel on the rollers, but you won't ride off. You see that you can slow your pace a little or look down, & you won't crash. All of a sudden you go from zero confidence to 70% confidence.

3. I was so fired up after riding. This will open whole new worlds. It's a great workout & it really will improve one's technique. I think after I really get the hang of it, I'm going to switch from cages to clipless pedals (finally). Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

4. I'm almost 53. At this age, the comfort of safe routines & old habits beckons. So when you push yourself & take a gamble on something new & difficult, it's exhilerating.

Once again, thanks to all for your encouragement. Your posts really helped a lot.

Good for you! Here's to lots of exhilaration :D You're a braver mom than I am.