Talk to me about rollers...

[ACiveE]

I've just recently joined the cycling way of life and I'm interesting in purchasing a set of rollers.

Background story: I'm a recent road cyclist. My boyfriend is an avid cyclist and I've puttered around on a few rides by borrowing his friends bikes but this year I took the jump and got my own. Now I think I'm biking more than him! Anyways, I go to the gym each day but since I've moved and transferred gyms, I'm finding difficulty in snagging a spin bike during the off times. I began spinning a while back but as things in life have changed over the years I simply wasn't able to fit the classes into my schedule. Solution: an MP3 player and a lone spin bike at the gym. I'm having problems doing this now and so with my recent acquistion of a road bike I'm thinking of transferring my ride and workout indoors into my home. I've looked into a fluid trainer but I've read the 'it gets dull' complaint many times whereas I haven't found that many negatives to the rollers. I need to improve overall stability, I don't want to read while I spin, and think it looks way more fun than being locked in.

So I've looked at Kreitler and the E-Motion rollers. Are there others I should consider? While I am not yet an experienced cyclist, I am a somewhat experienced and dedicated gym-goer. So if things work out and they're effective, I can see them getting quite a bit of use.

I plan to purchase one of the stabilizing devices that attaches to the fork until I get the hang of things... does anyone know if these will work with the E-Motion rollers?

Has anyone used both brands? Any comments? Favorite?

I don't really have a means of trying both out as I've asked around and no one seems to have either brand of rollers. No LBS seem to stock either. So it's kind of a gamble but I think both seem to be reputable companies.

Thanks!

I'm also considering a spin bike but if I have a perfectly fit road bike and rollers cost less than a full spin bike... why wouldn't I use what I already have??? Seems like I should try.

[Aint Doody]

I have the E-Motion rollers. I've had them for 3 or 4 years. I cannot say enough good things about them. But I can't see how you could attach anything to the front fork, as both wheels have to turn. Just start off in a doorway or next to a sturdy piece of furniture. You'll soon get the hang of it. It's scary at first. It took months before I could take one hand off long enough to scratch my nose. It's a wonderful workout. And I like the fact that it feels like I'm on the road.

[ACiveE]

I have the E-Motion rollers. I've had them for 3 or 4 years. I cannot say enough good things about them.

In my searching, I've come across many of your posts. You seem to be quite happy with the rollers. Had you tried other rollers previously? OR trainers?



Are there the same wear and tear issue that you have on trainers on rollers? The bike isn't attached to anything so there shouldn't be any abnormal frame stresses... right?

My real hesitation is that I'm going to want more resistance than what I see most of the rollers have that some trainers can offer. Also the Kurt Kinetic/1ups/Cycleops run about $400-500 cheaper... so I'm trying to decide if the balance/natural of rollers outweighs the resistance/climbing aspect of trainers.

Has anyone used the KK Rock & Roll trainer? Supposedly imitates the feel of riding/rollers more accurately.

Thanks!

[Aint Doody]

I had a trainer. I like this so much better. The tires get black from what was told to me to be aluminum dust and nothing to worry about. It comes off the tires when you ride. But it'll make black marks on your floor. I carry my bike outside to avoid that.

If you want resistance, you'll get it in spades. It has a lever that changes the resistance. I can only do it on the lightest resistance and still shift gears for intervals.

E-Motion is the only one I've ever tried. They were at Bike Expo for a couple of years. They're a great company to work with--all family.

[ilima]

I have cheap $99 aluminum rollers form Nashbar. No issues.

I don't have any sort of stabilizer thing. Just ride in a door way.

[Possegal]

This thread prompted me to go look and see what you all were talking about. First, WAY COOL. Second, don't think I am nearly coordinated enough for this. Third, found lots of youtube and the like videos out there of regular folks using these and entertained myself for quite some time.