Rollers?

The fear of standing up is a rational one. Breaking your bike and several bones because you crashed into your kitchen wall in the off season does not make for a good story. I usually listen to music or watch movies.

tingle_wayne said:

Does anyone else use rollers to train indoors? I just got some and i like them but somtimes i get bored. I'm kinda afraid to stand up on them. I also fell into the stove yesterday.

What do you do to get a good workout?

movies and tv shows on dvd does it for me. i train in the living room, witrh thew couch arm as my help-me-up/ emergency grab.

tingle_wayne said:

Does anyone else use rollers to train indoors? I just got some and i like them but somtimes i get bored. I'm kinda afraid to stand up on them. I also fell into the stove yesterday.

What do you do to get a good workout?

Try intervals; 1 minute at 30-35mph, then 1 minute 20-25mph, etc. Also, get "Anytrainer" software from Computrainer (it's less than $100), and put a computer monitor in front of you.

[font=Verdana]Rollers are a great way to fine tune your handling skills, some aerobic workouts, and recovery. Generally I watch TV when I use my rollers. Can’t say that I recommend doing true-intervals on your rollers, but you can “walk” through the gears, so you get different cadences and speeds to help ease the monotony. After a while you’ll feel right at home if you train on them regularly enough. Stay near a wall, doorway, or counter so you can “save yourself” if needed. Be careful of high speeds in the beginning, because it is possible to come off at speed and “launch” into something – I think once you get used to them you’ll also stop peddling in time to prevent the big damage. I chipped a bone in my wrist crashing into the fridge 8 years ago trying to do real intervals… don’t think that could happen today. Riding no hands is kind of a roller milestone, and being able to ride out of saddle is another trick you can build up to as well. [/font]

[font=Verdana]Good luck and enjoy[/font]

[font=Verdana]HR[/font]

Coolest thing I ever saw concerning rollers was when I was at the local mall and the lbc was involved in some sort of fund raisng ride-a-thon along with a local radio station. The deal was to have a rider on rollers from noon on friday until 9:00 p.m. sunday. When the time came to switch riders,( there were two sets of rollers) I watched this guy ride over to the rollers and from a trackstand, hop up onto the rollers and start up riding them with barely a wobble! They switched riders every half hour or so and his dismount was equally as gracefull.

On another note, if you own pvc rollers, don't leave them outside in the sun on a hot day, mine went from "silky smooth" to "country road simulator" in one afternoon:eek:

Hookyrider said:

[font=Verdana]Can’t say that I recommend doing true-intervals on your rollers, but you can “walk” through the gears, so you get different cadences and speeds to help ease the monotony. Riding no hands is kind of a roller milestone, and being able to ride out of saddle is another trick you can build up to as well. [/font]

You may be right about "true" intervals. The problem with rollers seems to be two-fold: 1) some don't dare try them, and 2) most that do, limit their speed to under 25mph for fear of riding off the sides. If one could ride at higher speeds without fear, then the issue of lack of resistance would go away, IMO. Riding no-hands and standing are two additional issues for some. I'd be curious if cyclists would prefer rollers over stationary trainers hands-down if the fear of falling were removed. I suspect most would; seems like rollers would be ideal in that case.

Anyway, I'd be abliged if everyone reading this would complete my questionaire at the link below. I'm doing some market research on this very interesting subject, and you help would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

[quote="Markalang"]I'd be curious if cyclists would prefer rollers over stationary trainers hands-down if the fear of falling were removed. I suspect most would; seems like rollers would be ideal in that case.[QUOTE]

the two kinds of trainers (rollers, & resistance) are for two completely different things - an apples and oranges issue really. I will say there is an intimidation factor with rollers that will scare folks off. Most folks would like rollers because of the linear progression of resistance i.e. it's easier compaired to a "proper" trainer with progressive resistence...

HR

tingle_wayne said:

Does anyone else use rollers to train indoors? I just got some and i like them but somtimes i get bored. I'm kinda afraid to stand up on them. I also fell into the stove yesterday.

What do you do to get a good workout?

I use rollers exclusively now. My old roomate used to have a mag-trainer that I used once or twice. The feeling of riding was gone, but "riding" indoors is not all that fun anyway. Rollers are great for tempo and minor intervals, but I can't sprint on rollers like I can on a trainer, I don't know anybody who can. Standing on rollers is also very difficult for me since my standing motion is very abrupt and not as smooth as a seated peddling motion. Again, I don't know many people who can stand and pedal on rollers. With that said, I can only handle about 60 minutes on the rollers since I'm seated for 100% of the time. I've noticed that if I do just spin classes at the gym, my stroke gets really jerky and square, and if I spend more time on the rollers, my stroke is fluid and round.

Oh that is kind of cool. My friend had that in the living room. Yeah you would need to be careful with where you place it. Mostly I bike for exercise. I go through phases of different types of exercise. I do almost every form of cardio vascular. Swimming, biking, walking, jogging, elliptical, stair master, running, and sports.