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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [MattyK] [ In reply to ]
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Yep, there you go.

Oh, and I tried the lazy susan out. Not bad...

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [velocomp] [ In reply to ]
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I just finished one myself based on a couple of designs I saw on the Facebook Rocker Plate Forum.

Just to give credit where it is due, here's a link to the forum, and I'm not posting pictures of mine, but rather the ideas that I took from 'Martin SSpeed' and 'McGwire' Forum users. Here's their two inspirations:

Martin SSpeed used pillow bearings, inflatables on either side to balance and fixed cups to hold the trainer in, and the unit is only built to the size of the trainer.
- I liked that it's not a full size unit (less parts = less cost). It can be constructed from two 2'x4' pieces of plywood.


-The idea of Pillow bearings is cool, but man that get's expensive fast! It costs around $10-$12 a pillow bearing (from princessauto.com) of which you need four of them. Next, you need a rod to run through the pillow bearing and that costs about $30 for an 8 foot pole. And let's not forget nuts bolts and washers and that all seem to cost about $1 each at home depot.




The McGwire board was different in that it didn't rely upon pillow bearings, but rather vibration dampeners. A two pack costs $20 and it's all you need to support you and the trainer (it has a load capacity of 2220lbs).


So, I decided to make a hybrid of the two. Smaller unit that uses vibration dampeners. Instead of inflatable balls on either side, I stuck with beginner tennis balls (orange dot and green dot) with different levels of squishiness that I stole from my kid (he's in a tennis academy).

This is my version 1.0. with 1/2" plywood. I'll likely make another version out of 3/4" plywood and make the cuts/holes nicer. The movement seems pretty good, but the improvement in comfort hasn't quite been as dramatic as some have reported. I'll likely do more research on what others are doing differently.



Last edited by: beston: Jan 27, 19 16:38
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [beston] [ In reply to ]
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My first guess is the vibration dampeners work "too well". But obviously I don't know. Finally decided I want to build something like this so I'll be keeping an eye out for these threads and the FB group.
Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Chan] [ In reply to ]
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While I can't exclude that the vibration dampeners are worse than the pillow bearing approach, I get a lot of side to side movement/flex with the dampeners (so I don't think it's the difference between pillow bearings vs. dampeners).

Even with the dampeners, I still have to use some kind ball/cushion on the side to help stabilize the rocker. I've been using tennis balls (three per side), and I suppose I could mess around with how many I use to see if I can't get a better 'feel' with fewer balls on either side
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [beston] [ In reply to ]
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Maybe this is not an issue for much of the readership here, but I'll share this. Love the minimalist idea of a plate that is only as big as needed for the trainer. However, as a person of shorter stature, I think I'd have a challenging time getting on / off my bike without the full length board under it. The trainer already puts it a couple inches higher. The trainer plus rocker would add, what, 6 inches to the hight needed to clear the saddle?

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [beston] [ In reply to ]
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So just to add to the conversation and with the caveat that today is the very first day of my research.

I've noticed there's a huge difference in the dampening capabilities of the dampener. From say 10lbs to hundreds of lbs. I've seen several builds with dampeners from different sources so I'm hoping to understand more how much force different people's completed builds dampen. I know there's more than one measurement. I think one is static and one is shear force.

Anyways I understand that's not your issue but this may help anybody as uninitiated as me.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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Full length boards are cool, but I'm not sure a full length board would be much help for a shorter person. I've always just clipped in with my left foot and swung my right foot over. No need to straddle the bike before clipping in.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [beston] [ In reply to ]
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That is my technique as well. Trainer or not, I mount the bike pretty much the same way. fwiw, i measure a scant 66"

My YouTubes

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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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I use a 5 gallon bucket turned upside down as a step stool for getting on/off. Takes a little bit of practice, but works great.

Strava
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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I think I'd rather keep the rocker itself minimal. Less rocker inertia definitely seems preferable to me. Plus I'd prefer less bulk. I also think a stationary platform is going to be a better for mounting. Why not just make up a little step? A standalone step is simple, all you would need but you could attach it to the rocker base if you wanted to ensure it doesn't move. Surely that's a better solution than a big, heavy, unnecessary platform?
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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Just mount your steed like one of the knights of Ni! /pink.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Chan] [ In reply to ]
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Chan wrote:
So just to add to the conversation and with the caveat that today is the very first day of my research.
I've noticed there's a huge difference in the dampening capabilities of the dampener. From say 10lbs to hundreds of lbs. I've seen several builds with dampeners from different sources so I'm hoping to understand more how much force different people's completed builds dampen. I know there's more than one measurement. I think one is static and one is shear force.

Anyways I understand that's not your issue but this may help anybody as uninitiated as me.

I've seen the differences in load capacity and deflection too. When I saw the dampeners in person, some of that made sense as the <100lb capacity dampeners were very small (like an inch high).

The one that I bought has a relatively huge load capacity (2200lbs) and what I thought was lower deflection. (link here). I thought it would be too stiff, but I don't think that's the case since the board easily deflects laterally, so much so that I need some kind of cushion out on either side to keep the unit centred (not tipping over) while riding (I've just used tennis balls as my cushion).
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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The height difference is more like 3 inches rather than 6 (2x12mm plywood sheets+2 inches of spacing between the boards) but you do need to consider your weight is also a big factor in rocker plate design.

The less a rider weighs the lower the design tolerances are for a rocker. In effect the more mass you are throwing around on the bike the less details like the floor being level, the trainer being counter balanced and/or the location of the inflatable balls being spot on matters. As rider mass decreases the forces created by your movements on the bike decrease as total fraction of the system and your room for error drops significantly.

If you are vertically challenged I am going to guess you are on the lower end of the mass spectrum and that means you need to take extra care with rocker plates.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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Tsunami,

For my home-made rocker, I purchased two of these multi-purpose folding mats: I use one under the front wheel riser block and another one as a step-stool. Folding the mat in half works great and is the ideal height.

@Kid
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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I recently built one and it has made my rides more comfortable for sure. I went with the minimalist approach.

I used 4 vibration mounts and two racquetballs. I like the racquetballs the best as they "give" more than other balls I tried. Plus, they are small enough that they work without cutting holes in the wood (one less thing to do).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNF8ZGK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [scott8888] [ In reply to ]
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Hi folks, thanks for all the responses. The Wahoo Snap holds my bike with 700 cc wheels, 1.5 inches off the ground. The SBR Rockr I purchased is 3.5 inches tall, for a total stack of 5" which indeed would be significant if I had to clear the saddle from the floor. The bike, on an unstable platform and the trainer was initially held on with velcro straps, is in a tight spot in a bedroom so yes, I do straddle it on the platform vs stepping on the pedal for extra height. Goal is to not gauge the wall with my cleat. Now that I have the Snap secured with eye hooks screwed into the platform and hose clamps around the base bars and through the eye hooks, I could probably do the pedal step and over thing.

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [beston] [ In reply to ]
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beston wrote:
While I can't exclude that the vibration dampeners are worse than the pillow bearing approach, I get a lot of side to side movement/flex with the dampeners (so I don't think it's the difference between pillow bearings vs. dampeners).

Even with the dampeners, I still have to use some kind ball/cushion on the side to help stabilize the rocker. I've been using tennis balls (three per side), and I suppose I could mess around with how many I use to see if I can't get a better 'feel' with fewer balls on either side

I've been wanting to build a DIY rocker plate, and leaning toward the vibration dampeners route. Now that you've had some time on yours how do you like it?

What I like about the dampeners idea versus pillow bearings is the possibility of having a slight amount of fore/aft motion and (maybe?) a bit of up and down dampening – do you notice any fore/aft and up/down give to your rocker?

Part of why I ask is because I noticed SRB is now making a simpler and less expensive Rocker Pod Lite ($150) that doesn't use dampeners or pillow block bearings. Seems like a simple, solid option but I imagine having some additional motion and dampening would make indoor riding all that much better.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Northy] [ In reply to ]
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I have been using the rocker for about a month now and I think there is some benefit to using it. I don't get numb nuts quite as quickly and I like the side to side sway of the bike. Occasionally, I will take short breaks on the trainer after about an hour or so, but I don't need the breaks as much as I used to.

I live close to an Ikea and I picked up a scrap piece of desk-top (literally, the top of an ikea desk) for $20 and I created a full length rocker. I now use 4 dampeners ($40) and 4 green dot tennis balls ($10), Ikea top ($20), plywood base ($25), and hardware (nuts, bolts, washers, feet, $30). So, I've spent $125 on the Rocker. I wouldn't say I've saved all that much over buying it from SBR.

I might switch up to inflatable cushions as it could make it easier to correct for slight out of level issues when I'm on the bike (the trainer isn't perfectly balanced L/R).

As for forward and back movement. I noticed MORE back and forward movement with only two dampeners at the rear, and I didn't like it! The motion was too jerky and not a smooth swaying motion. While I do feel some movement forward/back with 4 dampeners, it is less jerky than before (I like it better). YMMV.

I have seen some (on the facebook rocker plate forum) use pillow bearings, rods, and springs to create for fore/aft movement. I imagine that's the route you'd want to go






bottom image is inverted 180Ëš(?)
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Northy] [ In reply to ]
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Northy wrote:
beston wrote:
noticed SRB is now making a simpler and less expensive Rocker Pod Lite ($150) that doesn't use dampeners or pillow block bearings. Seems like a simple, solid option but I imagine having some additional motion and dampening would make indoor riding all that much better.


That certainly seems to be a much more economic option, $150 vs $375-500.

Has anyone tried the Rocker Pad Lite? The price difference is huge. Do you get what you pay for or are they just overpriced?

I’m not about to build my own. I would like to see the pros and cons of the cheaper model.[/reply]
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [velocomp] [ In reply to ]
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I've been looking for this template - do you still have it and/or can you post its location?
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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I built the Chad McNeese Rockit Launcher. Got the plans off the web in PDF format. It cost about £50 to make and has made indoor training as painless! as it can be! It is adjustable for the amount of movement and with a Workshop Floor tile on the top plate there is no need to clamp a Wahoo Kickr down. It remains rock solid when out the saddle.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [dng1212] [ In reply to ]
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Great to hear!!! So glad my design helped and sounds like it is working just as intended.

Thanks for the feedback and happy rocking :D
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [Chader09] [ In reply to ]
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How stiff can skateboard trucks be setup? I could easily fab a little bracket to bolt a pair of trucks between the leg tube and mount point of my trainer so that it rocks.

I hear you can setup skateboard trucks stiff or loose. Like, how stiff? Enough that this could work?!

I feel $20 for a pair of basic trucks could be worth trying this out.
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [gmh39] [ In reply to ]
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gmh39 wrote:
I use a 5 gallon bucket turned upside down as a step stool for getting on/off. Takes a little bit of practice, but works great.


I use the little step-stools they make for toddlers to get in the bathtub. Nonslip and very stable. Had one left over after my son didn't need it anymore. Worked so well, went out and bought more.

Link to stool like this on Amazon.

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Last edited by: ZenTriBrett: Mar 31, 20 8:14
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Re: Anybody here built a rocker plate for their trainer? [burnthesheep] [ In reply to ]
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We have had people use the skateboard trucks. You can crank down the compression nut for more stiffness. But even with that, you are likely to need some actual leveling springs. Ideally, I would recommend a loose truck setting, which allows more fine tune control via the leveling springs. Some of the truck users kept the wheels on and use that as the foundation for surge motion (fore-aft, like the Saris MP1 and Inside Ride E-Flex). Lots of ideas in the Facebook Rocker Plate group to review for inspiration.
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