Switching to rollers

benjamess

spent a lot less time indoor training this year due to commuting to work most of the winter, probably got the turbo out 2-4 times a month on really bad days.

Considering getting rid of the turbo and getting a set of rollers for next winter but having never used them just wondering if you can do a really tough workout on them? like can you simulate the power put down climbing or are they mainly for spinning during warm up / warm down?

fenix

Horses for courses - but if you have a turbo - why pay more for rollers ?

For me turbo is more flexible and doesn't take up much space. My turbo gets a lot of use for hard intervals - ones where I'm really digging deep. If I tried that on rollers I'd be off and into the pile of paint tins that I keep 'for use one day'....

harry-s

You can do full max seated efforts on rollers if you've got the resistance type (getting out of the saddle may be a problem). I can barely turn the pedals on mine with the resistance at max (Elite Arion). I had a turbo and some rollers for a while, but got rid of the turbo in the end, as oxoman says, I think you get a better work out with rollers, and the time seems to pass more quickly.
One possible downside, but it may be a personal thing, is that you don't move around much on the bike. For me this means my max time is about 90 minutes before it starts to get uncomfortable. Mentally, 90 minutes would probably be max for me anyway, certainly on a turbo.

benjamess

Fenix wrote:

Horses for courses - but if you have a turbo - why pay more for rollers ?

For me turbo is more flexible and doesn't take up much space. My turbo gets a lot of use for hard intervals - ones where I'm really digging deep. If I tried that on rollers I'd be off and into the pile of paint tins that I keep 'for use one day'....

for the reasons above, last winter i spent a lot of time on the turbo so didn't mind putting a turbo tyre on a spare wheel and keeping it set up, now it's just a massive faf to use once a week (normally at 6am pre work) just seems a lot easier to lay the rollers down and ride!

and I want to sell and upgrade the turbo to something zwift compatible for next winter hence considering switching to rollers!

that's what i was wondering though.....is it possible to put in those sort of efforts??

benjamess

Harry-S wrote:

You can do full max seated efforts on rollers if you've got the resistance type (getting out of the saddle may be a problem). I can barely turn the pedals on mine with the resistance at max (Elite Arion). I had a turbo and some rollers for a while, but got rid of the turbo in the end, as oxoman says, I think you get a better work out with rollers, and the time seems to pass more quickly.
One possible downside, but it may be a personal thing, is that you don't move around much on the bike. For me this means my max time is about 90 minutes before it starts to get uncomfortable. Mentally, 90 minutes would probably be max for me anyway, certainly on a turbo.

well i can only spend about 45 mins on the turbo before tearing my hair out, i would only be using them for 30-40 minute sessions.....i can't imagine me being able to spend 90 mins indoor training on anything!

dannbodge

I found with the rollers you control resistance using your gears and speed (Tacx Antares)

They aren't as intense as a turbo but still a good workout, time does seem to go a bit quicker on them as you are concentrating a lot more.

Hardest issue is getting used to them.

StillGoing

Different functions. I have both and whilst I prefer the natural feel of rollers (Elite Arion) they took some getting used to and even now, I'd be wary of trying to stand for unseated efforts or even taking a water bottle without a lot of concentration. Plenty of use and no doubt you get used to it, and they are a good work out for core muscles. I can't imagine doing 90 minutes on them.

A turbo on the other hand allows you to do hard efforts without worry. I can answer the phone, read a book, look around to keep an eye on my toddler running around behind me (try looking behind on the rollers and you crash) and take a drink or wipe excess sweat away with a towel without wobbling off. I've just ditched my wheel mount turbo for a direct drive one as I too got fed up with switching wheels over.

MiddleRinger

Get a set with resistance. I have the Elite ones with three settings and mostly just leave it in the highest one. Use them with my powermeter wheel for Zwift.

You can't do all out chest pounding blurry vision spewtastic loss of consciousness intervals like on a turbo as you'll crash, but you can still go hard! They teach you to have power AND control. I can get to around 550 watts in the little ring before needing to change up (although that's plenty for the intervals I do with my little legs).

But they're not for everyone.

benjamess

thanks everyone who replied!

think i will be getting rid of the turbo and look to get a set of rollers with resistance

markhewitt1978

Note that if you're Zwifting unlike smart turbo trainers rollers don't come with power measurement (I'm not aware of any that do) so ideally you'd want to have a power meter on your bike.

bianchimoon

benjamess wrote:

thanks everyone who replied!

think i will be getting rid of the turbo and look to get a set of rollers with resistance

I did this a couple of years ago, after 6 months I sold them, sometimes i like to switch off my brain when training and with Rollers the concentration needed was just to much

dannbodge

I've used my rollers about 5 times.
If you fancy giving a set a go I would consider selling them

benjamess

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Note that if you're Zwifting unlike smart turbo trainers rollers don't come with power measurement (I'm not aware of any that do) so ideally you'd want to have a power meter on your bike.

yeah i did notice that, on zwifts website it says there are 3 models they support but I am looking to get a power meter this summer so probably will be free to buy whichever!

bianchimoon wrote:

I did this a couple of years ago, after 6 months I sold them, sometimes i like to switch off my brain when training and with Rollers the concentration needed was just to much

i'm the opposite, i just can't switch off on the turbo like i can when i'm on the roads, can't keep my mind on anything other than the boredom! i think rollers may help keep my mind distracted when training indoors!

Dannbodge wrote:

I've used my rollers about 5 times.
If you fancy giving a set a go I would consider selling them

what model? and where about are you?

redjeepǃ

I have both, and much prefer the rollers, but if I had to choose then it'd be the turbo that I'd keep for the same reasons other people have given.

It's sometimes just easier to get on the turbo and belt out a 60 minute session whilst watching a dvd or even reading a book. The rollers do demand full attention, but I found that I could easily go hands free on them.

To answer your question though, I find that I can get all the resistance that I want on the rollers, but I don't typically use them for simulated 15% climbs. Maybe the ones with resistance will give you that.

I think the new generation of smart rollers must be the ultimate training tool in terms of realism, simulation and stimulation.

Matthewfalle

I considered rollers but as I like to switch off mentally when indoor training the thought of having to concentrate while staring at a garage wall for an hour or so just put me off.

I also know that I'd impale myself on something when falling off repeatedly during that "getting to know how to use them" phase.