[Closed] Rocker plate with plywood and innertube

Bookmarked. Been thinking the same thing. Starting to get butt ache after upping the Zwift mileage!

Somebody did, but I can’t remember who.

You might need a tubular rather than an inner so you can get the pressure (or a fat bike inner given the extra size).

That's basically all my realplate rocker is. Two bits of wood. A pivot and two wheelbarrow inner tubes.

I made one with inline roller skates and tennis balls.

I sometimes go back to a fixed version whilst tinkering, and its not as comfortable for me.

I guess it depends very much on the arrangement of your inner tube.

Note there is a specific rocker plate group on the facebook with various designs featured.

There is a huge thread on the TrainerRoad forum on rocker plates with lots of ideas and designs.

https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/549

As has been mentioned there’s a huge Facebook group where people post their designs and are great at answering questions. I’ve been meaning to make one for about two seasons now and then the lifeline plate on wiggle got reduced to £200 so it’s on its way to me!

Facebook group is just called 'rocker plates'. It's OK.

Made one last lock down. Partial failure using 4 small toy footballs. It was either very soft and prone to 'capsizing' or when blown up firmer rocked the wrong way when stood up. Both pretty disconcerting. Then it was summer and now I've moved I prefer to be outside in all weathers. Maybe I'll change my mind when proper winter arrives and fiddle again.

The rock the wrong way thing is a feature of most of the 'professional' ones too looking at the videos posted so I'm not hopeful I'll get mine in a state I'll want to use.

Mine is setup very soft. The rock the wrong way is technique I think.

Mine is setup very soft. The rock the wrong way is technique I think.

I'd say the not capsizing is a technique thing. I made mine with a fork mount to remove the need for a front wheel which was also an error as it makes capsizing even harder to avoid.

The rock the wrong way thing is a feature of the concept. If it was a technique thing you'd have thought most of the 'brands' (I say brands - most seem to be made by a one man and their CNC router) would have it sorted in their promo videos.

Yep, GP Llama on YT has tested a few... rocking the wrong way it's a "feature" of them all basically. Physics or something.lol

I bought one years ago - used 2 bladders (probably from footballs I'd guess)

It improved immensely when I replaced the bladders with some lengths of cut-up pool noodle but that includes it being "not all that mobile"

Might be worth a read and watch of this article https://zwiftinsider.com/rocker-plate-tightness/

then the lifeline plate on wiggle got reduced to £200 so it’s on its way to me!

Good PSA!
Must...........resist...

As has been mentioned there’s a huge Facebook group where people post their designs and are great at answering questions. I’ve been meaning to make one for about two seasons now and then the lifeline plate on wiggle got reduced to £200 so it’s on its way to me!

The chap who makes them (forget the name though) sells the rocker plates for something like £250 but the hardware, instructions and template for ply are only about £50 or something.

I quite fancy one, my knees hurt on the outside when pushing hard which never happens outside. This may help.

Did any of you rocker users notice an increase in reported power when using one? I am wondering if this could be were the 'missing' indoor watts go. I do tend to move the bike a fair bit when riding outside.

Anyone remember the name of the chap molgrips mentions above?

I think it was https://turborocks.co/products/diy-build-kit-for-rocker-plate - the kit is £115 not £50 🙁

I just use one of those cheap thick foam exercise mats with some ply wood under the feet of the turbo to spread the weight a bit. Works well for me and very cheap.

One of the big issues I've been having on the turbo recently is I can't feel my dick after about 30 min. Its sounds amusing, but I'm a bit worried I'm doing some serious damage down there, to point I've decided to avoid the turbo for the next couple of weeks.

You reckon something like a rocker plate would help as I don't get the same issue cycling outside?

Perennial/perineal issue for roadies. (see what I did there?)

30 minutes isn't bad tbh. It's about 15 for me. The issue is because you're sat motionless for such a long time. Riding on the road, you move about more and you're always getting up for a few pedal strokes here and there or standing up for something. It still happens to me somewhat but on MTB it doesn't because obviously I'm in and out of the saddle all the time.

Would a rocker plate help? I don't know. But you should be standing up periodically on the turbo anyway IMO. It keeps the blood flowing.

I have one of the Coplate rocker plates built up from their kit. You buy the components and get your own ply cut to suit the supplied diagram. Works pretty well, bounce is provided by two inflatable bladders from medium-sized dogs. If you do get a rocker plate, I'd also suggest a turntable support for front wheel:

https://www.bikeacces.com/127468127463rocker-plate.html

Do you think inner tubes will support a 60kg rider? I'm thinking a 12 inch tube each side.

For the front wheel I've always used a piece of 2x4 wood so the bars can turn.

My Realplate from the link above uses two inner tubes. I'm 75Kg and its supporting me just fine. Though I am tempted by the balls they now use.

You reckon something like a rocker plate would help as I don’t get the same issue cycling outside?

Yes, up to a point because it adds some movement into the system, I found it made a big difference to comfort for me.