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.