Rollers or trainer

BigUgly said:

Would like to have something for the days it's raining or the long time off in winter. If you could only have either or what would it be a trainer or rollers?

Both, sorry😄

BigUgly said:

Would like to have something for the days it's raining or the long time off in winter. If you could only have either or what would it be a trainer or rollers?

That's a tough one...I think it depends on what type of person you are. For example, I hate riding indoors, so I would rather get out even if it's really miserable (I use spike tyres for my mtb for winter training when the roads are covered in ice). So...I tend to use rollers more than a trainer, as I don't need as much of the resistance a trainer provides, and the rollers lets me spin between battling the elements outdoors.

BigUgly said:

Would like to have something for the days it's raining or the long time off in winter. If you could only have either or what would it be a trainer or rollers?

I have rollers. They provide a real "riding" experience, instead of just pure excercise.

I understand that trainers are far more popular though.

I have both, have rollers and a Kurt Kenetic Trainer. It depends what you want. The Kurt is more like riding on the road, with resistance, you can do a standing climb, etc...

The rollers are harder, you really have to concentrate and I don't know a lot of people who can stand up on them. You can get them with resistance but it's nothing like trainers. But if you want to build on your pedling strokes, it's better. I break out a sweat a lot faster on the rollers because you have to concentrate so much, if you don't and lose your balance, you'll go flying off and crash.

Both here as well, more years on rollers though, they are better for balance and getting a smooth pedal stroke but you can get a pretty good workout on them if you have a set with resistence. Trainers are lots better for burning the thighs, standing etc etc.

Have a pad on the floor when you first try rollers....:eek:

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine it has a reasonably accurate speed to power relationship for targeting L4 or whatever level I want. If I had a Powertap and money to burn I might consider Kreitler headwind fan rollers for added resistance.

violette said:

I have both, have rollers and a Kurt Kenetic Trainer. It depends what you want. The Kurt is more like riding on the road, with resistance, you can do a standing climb, etc...

The rollers are harder, you really have to concentrate and I don't know a lot of people who can stand up on them. You can get them with resistance but it's nothing like trainers. But if you want to build on your pedling strokes, it's better. I break out a sweat a lot faster on the rollers because you have to concentrate so much, if you don't and lose your balance, you'll go flying off and crash.

i'd vote for rollers i use them exclucsively indoors... rollers are kinda weird... really steep, but short learning curve.. they are impossible, then all of a sudden you're just on them and riding... once you get past the fact that falling off them is no big deal (put a mat under so you don't slip and a big, flat tool box so that when you step down you aren't way off the ground helps a lot) no road rash, no injury what so ever.. your fear goes away. after rides i practiced standing up and riding no hands so that now i can do it no problem during my workout (need to practice). need these skills so you can give your back and butt a break on longer rides.

don't think resistance is any kind of problem on rollers if you get a resistance unit.. here's the kreitler wattage chart... with the headwind fan you're looking at a max of 1500+ watts... headwind fan is loud though so not good for appartment living but even with a mag unit you are going to get enough resistance... kreitler.comtrainer wattage.pdfOpen ↗

i sold my trainer last year since i never used it.. i don't thing it duplicates riding enough, destroys your spin and rollers are boring enough, on a trainer that's real hell, you just aren't using all the same muscles in the same way on a trainer as you are outside and on rollers... rollers just recreate the outside experience way better.

the one good use i can see for trainers is to warm up before races.. they are just more convienient especially if it's raining... but i'd just get a cheap junky one for that.

oh... sprints are the one thing you can't do on standard rollers... except for the e-motion rollers that allow you to do sprints as well..

I use rollers for rcovery rides and leg speed especially after weights. I like the trainer for tempo, and harder intervals. Next year I am going more towars the SPOK approach