Rollers.... what's the worst that can happen?

carl_p

I've got this idea in my head that I would like some rollers to train on during the winter. I'm figuring that spring/summer will be the the best time for the better deals so will start looking now. However, I am still concerned about doing myself an injury. Can you really fly off the front or side at 20 mph say?

There are a few models out there which have parabolic cylinders, presumably to help prevent slipping off the side. Is this design effective at doing that? Do they kind of nudge you back into the middle?

One final question, silly but I'll ask it anyway, how do you actually reallign the bike if you need to, by steering, or by leaning?

andy_wrx

You won't fly off at 20mph - yes, the wheels are going round at that speed, but the bike isn't, so you just get a stink of burnt rubber as the wheel stops dead : just don't do it on your best carpet !

At worst, you'd just get the sort of injuries you'd expect from simply toppling over on a stationary bike : clipless moment, etc !
I'd recommend initially doing it in a doorframe or similar until you get the hang of it, then you can push yourself back upright with your elbows or shoulders if you start to topple.

Parabolic rollers are supposed to push you back into the middle if you start steering off to one side - I've never used them, manage fine on plain, simple Tacx ones.

You don't have time to think about steering, you just do it !

blackrockracer

Elite Ghilibi rollers are virtually idiot proof. ( RRP is £179) Give them a try , who knows...u might even enjoy it.

hopper1

andy_wrx wrote:

At worst, you'd just get the sort of injuries you'd expect from simply toppling over on a stationary bike : clipless moment, etc !

I'd recommend initially doing it in a doorframe or similar until you get the hang of it, then you can push yourself back upright with your elbows or shoulders if you start to topple.

True, but you're about 8" off the ground, too!

You can realign yourself by slight movement of the bars.

Biggest tip is, don't look at your wheel... Fatal!
Look as far ahead as possible, it really does make it easier.

carl_p

blackrockracer wrote:

Elite Ghilibi rollers are virtually idiot proof. ( RRP is £179) Give them a try , who knows...u might even enjoy it.

Cheers blackrockracer - looks a decent piece of kit and good reviews also.

Hopper1 looking ahead will take practice. I have this habit of looking down at my feet or the cogs, so rollers will cure that!

Can you free wheel on rollers? Presumabl only for a very short period?

FitzM

andy_wrx wrote:

You don't have time to think about steering, you just do it !

Bruno Senna making it look easy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIcrppPD ... r_embedded

HonestAl

I've got some parabolic rollers, suspect they help a bit keeping you centred but it's not like night and day compared to others. In terms of freewheeling, not really. The reason you freewheel when you're riding normally is that your momentum is enough to keep you moving for a while till gravity and friction have done their thing. On rollers you aren't moving, so you and the bulk of the bike has no momentum. So you stop pedalling, you stop rolling (and stop staying upright unless you're awesome at track stands!)

One other thing I find. Once I'm in the saddle and pedalling I don't feel comfortable moving about a lot on the saddle - so it's pretty important to get your "tackle" in the right place when you sit down. Of course it might be that it's just me being cr*p at balancing the bike, but I suspect I'm not alone!!!

Get some, they're ace!

Spender45

I got some second hand and was a bit wary at first. Now I can bang out an hour session watching the telly. i still use my turbo for high intensity work but for longer lower level sessions the turbo feels better and is less boring. I still do it near my garage bench though so I have something to grab onto when I lose concentration. :roll:

My 12 year old son got going first time and wondered what all the fuss was about.

plankton_brain

Had TACX roller a couple of months now and really quite like them. Did 25 minutes no handed the other day reading Cycling Plus :shock: sent my nuts completely numb so wont be doing that again, will stick to the TV.

Still in a doorway, just in case

mroli

I've got a front wheel attachment for my rollers. Am using it until the wife is happy enough with me using them inside and then she won't notice when I take the attachment off.... :twisted:

nferrar

Didn't a UK pro rider (ages ago) come off whilst giving a roller demo and land with his ass on a roller which gave him a nasty burn?