Training Rollers

on2wheels

Now Winter is just around the corner, I'm thinking of buying some Training Rollers.

Got a turbo given to me last year, but thought that rollers would improve my balance and general skills on the bike.

Anybody on the forum had any experiences, positive or negative would be welcome?

Also, anyone recommend a good model and any good web offers on at the moment?

Thanks in advance

whyamihere

I love my rollers. Far more interesting than a static bike or a turbo, as you have to keep concentrating in order to ride them. They're not as good as a turbo for intervals unless you get a model with adjustable resistance, but they are cheaper, and won't wear your tyres out as much.

Gav2000

I got rid of a little used turbo trainer and got rollers last winter. They are much quieter and give you slightly more interest due to the need to balance. I got rollers made by Minoura (many silver alumiunium with some yellow on them), they have been very good and will start getting more use again soon. However, they are still boring so I still ride outside whenever I can.

Gav.

schlepcycling

I use these -> http://www.inmotionproducts.com/productDesc.asp?session_id=211cb12c5e1ef30ed1832725e7db8724&text_product_id=FTR and find they're very good.

bahzob

Got turbo first, rollers second. Much prefer rollers and use them in preference most of time (just use turbo on winter club turbo nights when we all sweat together)

Have Tacx ones and had to get an add on resistance unit so as to be able to do intervals.

Also over summer, prompted by this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAvVcNxGlR0

I knocked myself up a frame out of old timber to simulate the great (but expensive) Emotion rollers. Still tinkering with it but works fine. Best thing are stoppers at end of front rollers, this much reduces chance of coming off, so I have been able to do max effort intervals in (comparative) safety.

Bronzie

+1 for the Minoura Action Advance rollers - fold up small, metal drums will last, no probs with mine so far (2 years+).

Generally I prefer turbo for hard workouts and rollers for spinning (recovery rides) and warming up for races.

When you start on them, set them up in a doorway so you have something to grab onto, but take care not to mark the flooring if you do come off (put some old carpet down).

Eddy S

I’ve been using Tacx SportTrack rollers with a T1350 resistance unit for the last 3 or 4 years and they have been a great winter training tool with the rollers also doubling up for warm-up duties at key track events.

However, 2 weeks ago I finally got around to buying a set of E-Motion rollers. What an amazing difference. It’s actually going to be a pleasure to train indoors through this winter. 8)

And the full-bore standing sprints/intervals are a reality in complete safety.

The only thing missing is a remote adjuster for the resistance - I do all of my roller sessions on a track bike so it’s a quite a useful feature for me but otherwise I can’t fault them.

If your budget will stretch, they are seriously worth looking at.

BeaconRuth

Do these not require any extra balancing skills of any kind, Eddy? They are just like riding on the road? Doesn't that negate some of the advantage of rollers - ie the additional balance and requirement to pedal smoothly etc?

Ruth

John C.

Rollers are a great winter training aid, slow riding is hard too, and no hands slowley will really improve your balance. Just beware of the cat ? I swerved to miss ours :oops:

Eddy S

BeaconRuth wrote:

Do these not require any extra balancing skills of any kind, Eddy? They are just like riding on the road? Doesn't that negate some of the advantage of rollers - ie the additional balance and requirement to pedal smoothly etc?

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

The same level of skill is required although someone starting out on E-Motions may not learn that smoothness as quickly because they give you that bit of latitude and have that degree of inbuilt tolerance.

Is it like riding on the road? No. The E-motions may try to replicate the feelings but it’s still not the same. You still require balance and smoothness to get the most out of them. An untidy riding style will not be rewarded and it will just be uncomfortable for the user. But what they do is allow you to relax a bit more.

Because I train on my track bike, I have to stay smooth anyway so it’s not like I’m suddenly going to get a load of bad habits or lose the smoothness or style I’ve already developed. My track riding demands it anyway. And I’ll need to keep that style as I’ll still be using my Tacx rollers at races.

The main thing for me is about being able to push the boundaries. What the E-Motion rollers are enabling me to do is train some exercises much harder. Sprint intervals really have taken on a different dimension. This week I was able to ride an extended session with my TT bars and use the extensions which I’d have never contemplated on the Tacx rollers (well, not without the aid of a safety net and several catchers!!! 8) ) - I always felt that I was holding a little bit back on my normal rollers to give me that margin for error.

And if anybody wants to question my sanity for spending that much on a set of rollers, you’re welcome to but you need to consider this - I had a choice: buy a winter bike or buy the E-Motion rollers – they are of comparable price. Some will regard this as heresy but I take absolutely no pleasure in riding when it’s raining, wet, dark and freezing cold (been there, done that, not interested) and it was an easy decision for me based on what is going to get the most use and provide me with the biggest benefit this and subsequent winters.

Eddy.

on2wheels

thanks to everyone who answered, definately going to get some now, will read and have a look on the internet for best prices

thanks again

sloboy

Eddy S wrote:

However, 2 weeks ago I finally got around to buying a set of E-Motion rollers. What an amazing difference. It’s actually going to be a pleasure to train indoors through this winter. 8)

...

If your budget will stretch, they are seriously worth looking at.

Damn - I wish you hadn't said that - I'd just about convinced myself that this year's price took them beyond the pale. Back to wondering then ...

bahzob

sloboy wrote:

Eddy S wrote:

However, 2 weeks ago I finally got around to buying a set of E-Motion rollers. What an amazing difference. It’s actually going to be a pleasure to train indoors through this winter. 8)

...

If your budget will stretch, they are seriously worth looking at.

Damn - I wish you hadn't said that - I'd just about convinced myself that this year's price took them beyond the pale. Back to wondering then ...

If you already have some rollers, as mentioned above I would check out this video,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAvVcNxGlR0

I bodged up similar for my rollers similar to it out of some old timber and it makes a real difference. I can ride in the aero position and do 600W+ intervals in safety (from falling off at least). There are two parts to it:
- a frame holding the rollers that can move backwards/forwards within a larger frame.
- bumpers either side of the front roller that stop the front wheel coming off.

Admittedly I have not yet done any full on out of saddle sprints yet but then I am pretty likely to come a cropper doing these on the road as well....

bahzob

Similar thread over on training:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14992211#14992211

Includes this link on how to upgrade rollers to be "Emotion" like.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=2537426&postcount=1