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Recently been thinking about getting a turbo trainer to beast the winter training to get better for racing. One of my aims was to keep a constant torque through my pedalling which i believe turbo trainers can help with.
This evening i saw a mate on some rollers with his track bike. Couldn't have a go unfortunately but looked alot more fun due to the balancing. Are they primaraly for fixie's or can you use a normal road bike? And can you vary the intensity of them?
So i'm kind of undecided. turbo trainer seems better for a more dedicated training scheme but rollers look more fun?
Yes you can use a road bike on rollers, even a mtb if you felt like it.
You can use any bike on rollers. And yes, you can get rollers which have variable resistance.
They're great for balance/handling/smooth pedalling/working on high cadence. Recommend them to anyone who moans that they 'just spin out' on a singlespeed 🙂
If you only get 1 for indoor training - get a turbo. If you can afford it, get both 🙂
Rollers are great for warm ups and spinning practice, you can get ones with resistance and even ones you can stand up on (they have an extra roller and the whole thing kind of "bounces" back and forth, very cool)
As AndyP says, if it's just the one then get the turbo, they're a bit more versatile for training. Rollers are fun though, the balance thing keeps them interesting. Once you get used to them you can ride them no handed and I've even seen trackies ride up alongside them, trackstand then bunnyhop sideways onto the rollers and start riding. 🙂
edit: little video of the rocking rollers.
Rollers are great balance and position training too.
I went for a turbo trainer as I can set my bike up after a service and make sure I don't fall off a roller...I've seen it happen!
I can't watch the tv when I am on rollers, it takes all of my concentration to stay on them. The Turbo sits in front of a TV and DVD player for longer sessions
HTFU. Persevere with the rollers, before long you'll be able to pedal one-legged whilst drinking tea. Or do a 30 minute piece on the tribars whilst watching The Simpsons.
Prob go for a turbo trainer then. Watch some biking dvd's sounds like a good plan.
Surely it wouldn't be that hard to make some home made rollers? There just three rollers with the front two attached by a band?
I've always found that my turbo is quite a bit more boring than rollers. I've no idea why and it's probably bo11ocks but the slightly more realistic sensation of riding on the rollers enables me to stay on them longer.
I learnt to ride mine in the kitchen doorway, stopped me from falling off. Still never managed to get on them without having something to hang on to.
A timely discussion - I've just bought (and awaiting delivery of) a set of rollers to augment my turbo. 😀
I think that the turbo is a bit more versatile as you can safely do intervals as well as longer spinning sessions but if you have an expensive carbon frame then the rollers are better as you aren't going to damage it like you would with it being in the vice of a turbo trainer.