Rollers

potters1863
potters1863 Posts: 111
edited January 2013 in Road general
After spending time deciding what to use for winter training, I've finally opted for a set of rollers.

Had 2 short goes so far and getting the hang of them, certainly feels like riding on ice but I'm pleased with my progress so far.

What I am trying to sort out is where is it best to look whilst riding on rollers, I have looked at the front roller, looked a couple of yards in front at the floor and looked straight ahead at the wall. They all appear to be ok but looking into spending an hour in one go do you mix it up or look straight ahead to get the best relaxed workout?

Comments

  • mallorcajeff
    mallorcajeff Posts: 1,489
    I would think a DVD would be better! I would be asleep after 5 mins
  • jouxplan
    jouxplan Posts: 147
    I took delivery of my first ever set of rollers on Friday, and I love 'em! Wish I had got some before.

    I'm staring into the middle distance as a rule. When I tried looking down at my front wheel during the first five minutes, I nearly had the biggest crash in my life, right in front of my delighted 13 year old son (he was filming me and awaiting a good laugh :D ).

    After two sessions I seem to be up to the point where I can watch the front wheel if I want, look back at the block to see what gear I am in, and put my hands anywhere I like on the handlebar. Reaching for a towel is almost mastered, but presenting the towel to my sweaty face is not - I was like Bambi on ice :oops:

    Middle distance and out the window works best for me. And then zoning out and imagining I am on the road or overtaking Froomie on Ventoux or something.........
    Trek Project One Series 6 Madone 2010
    Trek Madone 5.9 2006
    Trek Madone 5.2 2004
    Cougar Custom 1995
    Viscount Aerospace 1982
    Some mountain bikes gathering dust
  • potters1863
    potters1863 Posts: 111
    jouxplan wrote:
    I took delivery of my first ever set of rollers on Friday, and I love 'em! Wish I had got some before.

    I'm staring into the middle distance as a rule. When I tried looking down at my front wheel during the first five minutes, I nearly had the biggest crash in my life, right in front of my delighted 13 year old son (he was filming me and awaiting a good laugh :D ).

    After two sessions I seem to be up to the point where I can watch the front wheel if I want, look back at the block to see what gear I am in, and put my hands anywhere I like on the handlebar. Reaching for a towel is almost mastered, but presenting the towel to my sweaty face is not - I was like Bambi on ice :oops:

    Middle distance and out the window works best for me. And then zoning out and imagining I am on the road or overtaking Froomie on Ventoux or something.........


    Thanks for that, I nearly went off the rollers when watching my front wheel at the beginning, bit scary watching your wheel moving near to the edge. Had 5 mins yesterday and 10 mins today. Good luck with your progress, keep working at it :D
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    Balance is MUCH easier if you stay looking at eye level in front of you. Once you have it absolutely nailed it doesnt really matter much but whilst learning I suggest you get something to look at to keep your attention ahead.

    Next thing is to try one-handed and then with no hands, but wait until you have the basics mastered first :D
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • gloomyandy
    gloomyandy Posts: 520
    Watch out for the towel... Unlike on a turbo trainer it is very easy to get it caught up in the front wheel and then bad things happen! You can probably guess how I know this!
  • rgliniany
    rgliniany Posts: 753
    i got my rollers last week as well..... bashed out about 35kms so far in 2 rides..... im in australia so ive been out in the warm practicing in front of the sliding door.... so i can keep my head up and still see my front wheel.... :) it only took 600m for me to get used to the floaty feeling.... glad i bought them.... now i just have to decide whether to download the sufferfest videos or 3LC.........
    It's a boy , It's a boy , I Shouted Running Into The Street With Tears Running Down My Face.....

    That's The Last Time I Holiday In Thailand

    URL Pinkbike
  • On_What
    On_What Posts: 516
    Youtube on, Liege-Bastogne-Liege full on, Missus on turbo, me on rollers :lol:
  • y33stu
    y33stu Posts: 376
    Got my first set for Xmas. Love them. Did the obligatory 5 minutes in between 2 doorways to start, now I've moved into the garage. Only had a little off once - got the foot down just in time! :o

    Still cant get the towel to my head, or get the water bottle out yet. I do have a race with a mate to see who is the first one of us to stand up on them without falling off. :roll:

    For me, Sufferfest, or loud music, and stare either at eye level out front, or stare at the ground just ahead of the front wheel. If I look at the wheel, it puts me off.

    I am looking for some roller training ideas though. Cant seem to get cadence over 100 or do sprints, as I lose the balance. anyone got any ideas?
    Cycling prints
    Band of Climbers
  • Rodrego Hernandez
    Rodrego Hernandez Posts: 1,436
    Stick a mirror in front of you and check out your technique. Rollers are a great way to lose bad riding style.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    gloomyandy wrote:
    Watch out for the towel... Unlike on a turbo trainer it is very easy to get it caught up in the front wheel and then bad things happen! You can probably guess how I know this!

    Something like this? - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf473QZFWN8
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • Fursty Ferret
    Fursty Ferret Posts: 189
    I got a set of rollers a week ago. Elite Arion parabolics with reistance. I wish I'd bought them months ago, great training aid especially for those days when you get back from work and it's dark and miserable. I either have Radio 5 on or, as tonight, laptop/sufferfest

    The whole balance thing is fine and didn't really see what the fuss was about to be honest. Obviously you want something adjacent that you can grab on to/hold in a hurry but by and large it's not an issue. I have to say though that sprinting is well beyond me at the moment, as is any hands-free action. But although they will never offer the same flexibility as a turbo for a training regime, the notion that you can't smash yourself into the ground on rollers (in the cardiovascular sense..) is well wide of the mark
  • jouxplan
    jouxplan Posts: 147
    Despite only having had two 30 minute sessions on them so far, I am happy with balance wherever my hands are on the bars, and I am up to the point of riding one handed comfortably. Reaching for bottles or towels is really frightening though.

    Interesting that someone says they can do all that, but have not yet graduated to cycling out the saddle. I can get out of the saddle and though it feels freaking weird, it seems to be ok once you commit and go for it. For me though, I have a huge fear that if I accelerate a little too hard, the front wheel is gonna pop over the top of the front drum, and I am going to face plant the waiting wall. It bothers me that despite the wheel to wheel distance being about 10mm shorter than the drum to drum distance, it feels terrifying close to the point where the wheels can very easily 'jump' over the drums.

    Has that ever happened to anyone? What happens? (I watched that YouTube link - very, very funny, but not quite what I have in mind!)

    Does anyone set it up so there is much more than 10mm difference ie so the front wheel is sitting further down and behind the front drum? Or am I being too scared :oops: I find I am holding back on sprints and big out of effort 'thrusts'!
    Trek Project One Series 6 Madone 2010
    Trek Madone 5.9 2006
    Trek Madone 5.2 2004
    Cougar Custom 1995
    Viscount Aerospace 1982
    Some mountain bikes gathering dust
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Even though you may be pedalling fast, you have very little kinetic energy in comparison to if you were moving at the same speed on the road - consequently, if you do come off you just topple sideways rather than be projected forwards.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    Got some for christmas - cycleops alu with resistance. Pretty much got the hang of riding on them, but not one or no hands yet!
    Actually think im overly tense and hunched over on the bike as my hands get sore after about 20 mins and I feel more comfortable on the hoods rather than top of bars. Sure I'll get there eventually!
  • potters1863
    potters1863 Posts: 111
    Fursty Ferret wrote:
    I got a set of rollers a week ago. Elite Arion parabolics with reistance. I wish I'd bought them months ago, great training aid especially for those days when you get back from work and it's dark and miserable. I either have Radio 5 on or, as tonight, laptop/sufferfest

    The whole balance thing is fine and didn't really see what the fuss was about to be honest. Obviously you want something adjacent that you can grab on to/hold in a hurry but by and large it's not an issue. I have to say though that sprinting is well beyond me at the moment, as is any hands-free action. But although they will never offer the same flexibility as a turbo for a training regime, the notion that you can't smash yourself into the ground on rollers (in the cardiovascular sense..) is well wide of the mark

    Had 3 goes now, the last being for 25 mins 2 nights ago, got the balance and things sorted now. Will try with my clip less shoes now.

    As for the workout, I find I am getting warmed up ok, getting the resistance fan next week so looking forward to a tougher workout and keeping myself a bit cooler. Impressed up to now, the right choice.
  • Broono83
    Broono83 Posts: 75
    Hi,

    Long time lurker but first post. I also got a set of Elite Arion rollers, getting used to the balance etc now and using my clipless. Only thing I have noticed is an occasional rattling sort of sound. I think this is coming from the middle to front roller cable vibrating but can't be sure as can only glance down quickly. Has anyone else experienced this before? Is it caused by my (probably poor!) riding technique as it seems to come and go?
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,698
    Danlikesbikes wrote:
    gloomyandy wrote:
    Watch out for the towel... Unlike on a turbo trainer it is very easy to get it caught up in the front wheel and then bad things happen! You can probably guess how I know this!

    Something like this? - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf473QZFWN8

    When you good you can even do this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BcHekNAfOo
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    Broono83 wrote:
    Hi,

    Long time lurker but first post. I also got a set of Elite Arion rollers, getting used to the balance etc now and using my clipless. Only thing I have noticed is an occasional rattling sort of sound. I think this is coming from the middle to front roller cable vibrating but can't be sure as can only glance down quickly. Has anyone else experienced this before? Is it caused by my (probably poor!) riding technique as it seems to come and go?

    Yes, once i get above a certain wheel speed the band rattles a little and makes a noise.
  • Dekker
    Dekker Posts: 29
    I bought a DVD of a road race - one of the tour stages, the camera is mounted on the cyclists helmet. It helps me focus and stops me getting incredibly bored!
  • dbb
    dbb Posts: 323
    sufferfest & rollers = great combination

    the intensity stops you from worrying about being on rollers :)
    regards,
    dbb

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