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Slowtwitch Forums
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Triathlon Forum
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Trainer vs Rollers
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dytri
Nov 5, 09 17:12
Post #1 of 27 (775 views)
Trainer vs Rollers
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I am planning on getting one for the winter. I have more of a running background and really want to improve on the bike this offseason. I want to work on riding more efficiently and being able to sustain a higher power output for longer. I also want something that I'll be able to use occasionally in season for intervals and such. With these goals in mind, what do you recommend? Also, any specific workouts that you recommend or enjoy? Thanks!
bmanners
Nov 5, 09 17:19
Post #2 of 27 (765 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [dytri]
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If you find your mind wandering alot I would go with the trainer.
(This post was
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1406racer
Nov 5, 09 17:21
Post #3 of 27 (762 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [dytri]
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In Reply To:
I am planning on getting one for the winter. I have more of a running background and really want to improve on the bike this offseason. I want to work on riding more efficiently and being able to sustain a higher power output for longer. I also want something that I'll be able to use occasionally in season for intervals and such. With these goals in mind, what do you recommend? Also, any specific workouts that you recommend or enjoy? Thanks!
I prefer the all around benefits that rollers offer. They teach you the finer points of balance and if a model like Kreitler Dyno Myte are used a great workout is assured. They cannot provide as much resistance as a trainer but I can get off after a hard interval session and be light headed. Ideally both would be ideal but if I have to choose then it is rollers.
RebeccaCreekKid
Nov 5, 09 19:26
Post #4 of 27 (706 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [dytri]
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Go to performancebike.com
Add the rollers with resistance to your cart
Find the generic bike tight fork mount, add that to your cart, buy, and have it sent to the nearest store so you get free shipping.
Learn to ride rollers.
Use resistance setting for tempo rides.
Build a fork stand using 2x4s and the bike tight. Use this for max efforts.
Presto chango you've got rollers, resistance, and the ability to do max efforts.
"Rock it old school and embrace the suck."
skavoovie
Nov 5, 09 19:35
Post #5 of 27 (701 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [RebeccaCreekKid]
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If I completely hate using my trainer, will riding on rollers be any better? Is it possible that one is unbearable and the other is fun?
xcsnail
Nov 5, 09 19:55
Post #6 of 27 (691 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [RebeccaCreekKid]
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Rebecca,
You use a fork mount with rollers? Now I know why you are a dude with a girl's name.
I will now quote Show Pony
the Womens forum is that way --->
RebeccaCreekKid
Nov 5, 09 20:19
Post #7 of 27 (675 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [xcsnail]
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That's MISTER dude with a girls name WHO HATES FAT PEOPLE, STUPID PEOPLE, AND AMERICA, to you, XCSNAIL!
I very rarely use it. But sometimes it's nice to do MAX efforts. 50mph on rollers scares the crap out of me every time. Maybe you are just a bigger man than me?
brikins13
Nov 6, 09 5:58
Post #8 of 27 (615 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [RebeccaCreekKid]
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dude- you know you've just been asking to be called rebecca since the day you joined this site. Just change your name to "KidFromRebeccaCreek" and stop freaking out- you know people will keep doing it, just like if some other jerk took the name "SallyIsAPrettyNameForAGirl" and was offended cause he was an oh so serious male.
its not gonna stop till you change it- so get over it
edit: I bought a Kurt Road Machine a couple years ago- Love the thing- and I can zone out all I want. I may not have the smoothest stroke, but it does everything else I ask of it- and I can screw around and do one leg intervals- which would probably be death on rollers (at least for a big oaf like myself)
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Six five, two hundred plus...
61 P2C
62 AllezComp
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RebeccaCreekKid
Nov 6, 09 6:25
Post #9 of 27 (603 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [brikins13]
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Guess I should have used pink font.
Besides, what do you care if I care?
brikins13
Nov 6, 09 6:31
Post #10 of 27 (597 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [RebeccaCreekKid]
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just seems like a waste of your breath... youve made the correction what- like 100 times? I know ive read it probably 10 or 20 at least. plus... i dont wanna work, and this is taking up time.
_____________________________________
Six five, two hundred plus...
61 P2C
62 AllezComp
rickeh
Nov 6, 09 6:34
Post #11 of 27 (592 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [RebeccaCreekKid]
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I have a trainer and rollers. I also have a fork mount for my rollers. I use the fork mount for one legged work to help with a smooth pedaling motion in the 110-120 range. To those who do this on their rollers I am not quite there yet.
FatandSlow
Nov 6, 09 13:23
Post #12 of 27 (517 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [rickeh]
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+1. I have both.
To the OP: If your focus is tri, then go with a trainer. Very hard to do max and long efforts on rollers.
Rollers will significantly improve you handling skills and make you more comfortable in a pack. Much more important for roadies.
jkahan
Nov 6, 09 13:38
Post #13 of 27 (508 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [dytri]
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I know I'm going to regret asking -- but I need help....I used rollers a lot in college (25 years ago) with no problems ... I recently got CycleOps rollers and for the life of me I can't get balanced -- are all new rollers this "slippery" or am I a complete retard....?
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Have Fun ** Tri Hard ** Be Kind
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xcsnail
Nov 6, 09 16:19
Post #14 of 27 (469 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [jkahan]
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Your problem is the position of the front roller. It should approx 1/2 inch in front of the front hub. Otherwise the front wheel will be 'falling off' the front and you can never balance.
Also make sure it hasn't been set up for 650 wheel size, the 2 rear rollers will be 2 close together if it was.
Try that and let me know how it goes.
tigerchik
Nov 6, 09 16:33
Post #15 of 27 (462 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [dytri]
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I was wondering the same thing the other day, then I looked at prices. I think I'm going with a trainer by default. Could not find rollers for less than $500.
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mmm, pi!
xcsnail
Nov 6, 09 16:38
Post #16 of 27 (455 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [tigerchik]
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High end rollers are not cheap but you can get a basic set of aluminum ones like these for $119
http://www.nashbar.com/...3_10052_173072_-1___
If you have questions about rollers just send me a PM
yotoma
Nov 6, 09 17:24
Post #17 of 27 (433 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [xcsnail]
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the basic ones lose much of the feel and skill eqired on the higher priced ones.
xcsnail
Nov 6, 09 17:35
Post #18 of 27 (426 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [yotoma]
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The cheap ones are good for the job they do which is to spin on. They don't have huge resistance but that is ok.
I just got a set of TruTrainer rollers and I will say they are amazing but they came with an amazing price tag as well.
armycyclist
Nov 6, 09 17:53
Post #19 of 27 (416 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [FatandSlow]
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In Reply To:
+1. I have both.
To the OP: If your focus is tri, then go with a trainer. Very hard to do max and long efforts on rollers.
Rollers will significantly improve you handling skills and make you more comfortable in a pack. Much more important for roadies.
+1 I too have both.. and they have different roles. ;~
Trainer.. for hard interval work... where I'm really maxing out my effort
Rollers for smooth spinning.. usually my recovery day.. .Rollers will make you a better spinner.. IF you have a real dead spot in your pedal stroke.. you'll feel it on rollers.... get upto speed on rollers.. and then try your one legged drills...
I only do them in the door way.. where I can grab the door frame when my legs are tired and the "dead" spot is my pedal stroke.. is Bad....
plus I found on my rollers.. you cannot go to slow.. most bikes have a sweet spot.. where they want to go straight at a certain speed...
jkahan
Nov 7, 09 4:22
Post #20 of 27 (363 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [xcsnail]
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thank you very much for the info -- i will let you know - really appreciated.
******************************************
Have Fun ** Tri Hard ** Be Kind
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DavidK
Nov 7, 09 5:58
Post #21 of 27 (344 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [FatandSlow]
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OTOH - I disagree. A good set of rollers (even without resistance) ought to provide enough difficulty to accommodate a hard training effort. Most triathlons do not have sprints or all out efforts. I think of it this way - How hard will you be going in a triathlon that you will still not need to make sure you are going straight and smooth? David K
trackie clm
Nov 7, 09 6:15
Post #22 of 27 (339 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [FatandSlow]
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>>Rollers will significantly improve you handling skills <<
I'd say that's important for anyone who rides a bike, not just roadies!
I have rollers and a trainer. I hate the trainer and can do intervals on the rollers.
clm
http://ironclm.typepad.com
TriChris14
Nov 7, 09 12:30
Post #23 of 27 (297 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [dytri]
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If you are thinking of power, I would go with a trainer. Plus, it is easier to watch tv with a trainer. This way you don't have to constantly look down to see if you are centered. Thats bad for your neck and make for a poor aerodynamic position.
JollyRogers
Nov 7, 09 12:47
Post #24 of 27 (292 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [DavidK]
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OTOH - I disagree. A good set of rollers (even without resistance) ought to provide enough difficulty to accommodate a hard training effort. Most triathlons do not have sprints or all out efforts. I think of it this way - How hard will you be going in a triathlon that you will still not need to make sure you are going straight and smooth? David K
I spin out my cheapo Performance rollers at about 230 watts, maybe as high as 240. That's enough to do some easy tempo, but not enough to do threshold work. When I'm riding indoors, is mostly threshold or hard tempo outside of warmups, recoveries, and cooldowns.
As far as straight and smooth goes, I have only ridden my roadie on the rollers. I can do it standing up and no handed, but I don't have the stones to plop my tri bike on the rollers and drop into the aero bards.
bryan913
Nov 7, 09 13:07
Post #25 of 27 (283 views)
Re: Trainer vs Rollers [dytri]
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A few weeks ago I started a thread about rollers. I've had a trainer for my whole "tri life."(5 years) I'm from NJ and every winter I would do basically all of my riding on my trainer unless we got a freakishly warm day. Every spring I noticed the same thing...I had to bust my butt to ride anywhere near where I was riding at the previous fall. I didn't slouch on training in the winter...probably still put in 5+ hours a week on it in my "off season." The point is, you never hear someone say "I rode my trainer all winter and now I'm a much stronger rider." I got a very good set of rollers a few weeks ago and have gotten some good rides on them. Here's my thoughts...
Trainer
You can totally zone out while spinning.
You can stop pedaling to "rest" whenever you want.
I've made phone calls/watched movies/etc on the trainer.
I can do "climbs" and real hard sprints on it.
I've ridden as long as 3 hours on it.
Rollers
Longest ride has been 60 minutes.
I noticed a lot more numbness down there, I guess because I can't stand of shift positions easily.
Absolutely NO ZONING OUT.
Fallen 3 times, got some good bruises.
Can't stand or ride in aero position...yet.
Can't drink at will...have to stop.
This info may or may not help you, but it's just my thoughts on the topic. I will say this...I actually look forward to my rides on the rollers. It's definitely a challenge and I like that. I hate the idea of another boring trainer ride. But I will use both pieces of equipment for the reasons about.
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Bryan
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