Trainer Rocker Boards?

I disappeared down an internet rabbit hole last night looking at the various contraptions people have made so their bike can lean a bit side to side while zwifting (other forms of pretend cycling are available).

I think this might be something that would benefit me on the trainer, and I sort of fancy lashing my own together, not too bothered about linear (fore/aft) motion but I like the idea of building a basic side to side rocker with tennis or gym balls for resistance.

Anyone made their own?
And If so got any suggestions for bits and pieces to use or indeed things to avoid when making my own?

I have these (not exactly these, this is just a link I found for something similar on eBay). There are five under my trainer (one under each of the three feet and two under the main body/flywheel bit) and one under my front wheel, works well. You’d probably have to be careful if you were doing massive megawatt sprinting, but for sitting and spinning it’s fine

Hedgehog Balance Pods Spiky Half Balls Training Equipment Dome Exercise Set 2pcs | eBay

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

Somewhat comprehensive thread there…

There’s a whole group on FB dedicated to DIY rocker boards. I was tempted for a while but then bought a Lifeline/CRC one when it was reduced to a price that made it a no-brainer. It’s side to side only, I really like it though. I see there’s one on eBay at the moment for £70 if it’s anywhere near you!

Cheers all, I had found that trainer road thread last night, not sure if I really want to dust off my FB login though.

Those hedgehog half ball jobbies are a good tip, cheers.

I fancy making my own more than just buying one, but that used one in Oxford is tempting, probably £20 in fuel so if making my own costs out under ~£80-90 then it’s about the same difference plus I get to tinker…

I thought about having/making one; to see if I liked wobble, I cut up a cheap closed cell foam sleeping mat and put 4 or 5 layers under the main unit, and rolled some more up under the end of each of the trainer’s legs. I did like it and the time I could comfortably ride for went from an hour to two overnight. (Front wheel on an appropriate riser.)

In fact, I liked it so much, it’s still there about 3 years later. Total cost £7.99 plus a bit of gaffa to hold it together 🙂

So I now have a Monster (2440×1200) sheet of 12mm ply, I’m planning to double up material for the top deck so it’s a nice stiff 24mm thick.

Bit left-field (but it seems I’m not the first to try this) but I’ve ordered 4 cheap cruiser board trucks for the pivot points, rather than Anti-vibration mounts, they were marginally cheaper.

I will need to think a bit about how I do the base board(s) or feet with trucks as they twist a little when pivoting (as intended)…

I plan to order gym balls or balance pods and make sure I fit them so the inflation holes are accessible from the top-side just for pressure adjustments.

On the lifeline rocker board (which is quite basic – but I got it cheap in the sale – and a new bike and a rocker board were way cheaper than a Wattbike – man maths!) they have little inflatable balls that poke up through holes in the top board. So you can inflate them from the top. It came with a little spirit level so you could pump them up so the board is perfectly level.

they have little inflatable balls that poke up through holes in the top board. So you can inflate them from the top. It came with a little spirit level so you could pump them up so the board is perfectly level.

Yep, seems to be the refined DIY method too, using a phone level app or a spirit level as suits…

Mine is made from a bit of MDF and 6 tennis balls. Took a 1 inch hole cutter to the tennis balls then bolted them to the under side of the MDF (hole to the floor), then plonked the turbo on top. Front wheel is on a riser.

Seems to do the job – bike moves side to side and a little bit forwards/backwards.

Zwifing is still the dullest thing a human being can do on a bike – but now at least it’s a bit wobblier.

I got the lifeline rocker during the clearance sale too.  Nothing special but made longer sessions more comfortable.  The top board does “bounce” a little during sprints.  I bodged a front axle stand (bolted to top board) to make the front end more rigid.  The main problem is that it increase the footprint area on the floor (I’m short of space).  Also, during races I have the nagging feeling it is stealing a few Watts 🙂

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Is the thru-axle on your axle stand just resting on the wood? If so, and in case helpful, I bought one of these to make that interface a bit more robust on my wheel stand:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125833820812

(Not this exact one, I dunno if this eBay seller is reliable or anything)

@finbar, yes it is just resting on the wood (with a screw on top for safety :))- pretty stable but that’s a great idea thanks

Edit: ordered