The unit that Cycleops is developing intrigues me though because they aren’t just building a side to side rocker plate but more of a “free-motion” type device (similar to free-motion setups for rollers…well, kind of). If that is well priced I’d definitely buy one honestly and retire my DIY one (hoping it is a decent amount cheaper than their Magnus trainer is the most I think it should cost).
I saw that one moves forward as well. Does it move more freely than side to side and forward?
I built one fir the back wheel only- pillow block bearings based. It definitely made a difference in comfort, but I wasn’t having bad issues before. I like the feel better.
This is very interesting. I built a rear-wheel version a year ago for my computrainer and I loved it. It was very basic though. I’ve since moved to a Kickr Core and Climb combo and have been planning my full-length rocker plate in my head and some basic drawings for about 4 months. I’ve actually been carrying around a notebook in my backpack so I can sketch stuff out as inspiration strikes.
As you say, the problem with current rocker plates is the pivot point is too low. When you lean, the wheel slides side to side as well. I actually recorded myself riding up a hill over a line I drew with chalk to try to estimate how much motion there was. Based on my crappy video and some equally crappy math, I think the actually pivot point is somewhere around 3 inches above the ground, but this obviously depends on how much you’re leaning, how hard you’re pushing the pedals, etc.
I have two design ideas to deal with this but neither is 100% there, IMO. The first is the basic version, where you have a board that the bike and trainer sit on , and that board is attached to an outside frame. The board is attached to the frame with pillow block bearings on the frame and linear motion bearings on the board, with a short shaft front and back. I would include a compression spring over the shaft. This would allow a slight back and forth motion, raise the pivot point, and allow side-to-side rocking. It wouldn’t allow for any “sliding” of the wheels, like you illustrate.
My more complicated design also involves the board for bike/trainer, and a frame. This time though, there would be a second bottom board, with the rocking motion between them, typical to how most designs are. I would use only pillow block bearings so it only rocks. I would then suspend the boards, attaching at the bottom board, to the frame. I thought about 4-point linkage (I notices my wife’s glider ottoman uses that design) but I decided it would be limiting. I would just use a short steel cable, pulled out to the frame from the bottom board at perhaps a 35-45 degree angle. Gravity would bring the board back to the middle so no springs needed. This would allow side-to-side, front-to-back movement, including allowing the rear to move more than the front.
I haven’t built either of these but I’m planning to build something soon.
Honestly don’t know. Beside what you have found online so far there isn’t much additional info out there that I’m aware of. I imagine it probably doesn’t but you never know.
I basically copied this video below bc I loved the idea of skateboard trucks as the flex/pivot points. I ordered a pair of longboard trucks for 9.99 on Amazon and bought wood/screws for ~$30, so ~$40 total and my time for my rocker plate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiVp4B5TU9Y
I built one a month or two ago, it is ok. It was certainly not revolutionary. I am prob gonna do a ride or two without it to get a better comparison now that I am used to it. Building it was a fun project and I did not spend a ton of money so I don’t have any regrets.
One thing that I do NOT like is the motion while standing. I found it easier to stand before the rocker. Now, when I stand, the bike tilts to the direction of my pedal stroke (i.e. on the down-stroke of my right leg, the bike rocks to the right). This feels like the opposite of what happens outside where you counter lean your bike on the down-stroke while standing. When seated, I have not noticed that effect.
Ultimately, the rocker motion is not the same as outside, but having some movement feels like an improvement over a rigid trainer.
Nice! …is that drawn in Working Model?
I’m always wondering if movement like that would have negative effect on longevity of Kick or Neo flywheel bearings, as well if it affect accuracy, after all flywheel will move like giant gyro.
Nice! …is that drawn in Working Model?
No idea. Shamelessly stolen from the internet (Wikipedia)
Another option for a high front pivot would be to mount the front forks to a pendulum hanging from a pivot suspended directly above it. (imagine hanging your front wheel from a hook supporting the rim.)
Or maybe pivot at the midpoint of the front axle.
Would have to investigate to see how this feels.
Rocker plates don’t have to be complicated to be valuable. I built something really fancy (I’m an engineer, so I don’t do anything unless I have an excuse to overdo it :-)). But before I settled on something fancy, I had a simple platform with supports at the corners. then I put something in the middle so it would rock instead of bounce. It isn’t like riding outside, but it is way better than nothing at all.
Good thread over on TrainerRoad, with posts like this one really summarizing: https://forum.trainerroad.com/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/103
Cool, did you cut the plywood yourself or take it to a CNC shop?
I was having some saddle sore issues from zwifting so much. I built a Rockr Plate about 2 weeks ago. And haven’t had any problems since.
I ordered the DYI kit from SBR and found the board design on the Rockr Plate Facebook site. Actually created a template of the boards with holes pre-drilled and then transfered the template to the final boards so as not to make a mistake. 3/4 in. birch boards. Will probably coat the top with Truck bed liner paint or just some carpet/rubber matting.
The benefit of the DYI kit was all the HW was included, including the mounts for my Kickr. You could get it yourself and maybe save $50. I spent about $200 all in.
I thought I might lose some power on it, but that hasn’t been the case at all. It is a little bit louder than before, but the carpet or coating should solve that part of it.
I’m always wondering if movement like that would have negative effect on longevity of Kick or Neo flywheel bearings, as well if it affect accuracy, after all flywheel will move like giant gyro.
Neo does not have a flywheel.
I’m always wondering if movement like that would have negative effect on longevity of Kick or Neo flywheel bearings, as well if it affect accuracy, after all flywheel will move like giant gyro.
Neo does not have a flywheel
I wish more people paid attention to how well made and designed the Neo is compared to its competitors. People only see the couple of hundred dollar price difference to the KICKR and assume they’re essentially the same. They are not. There’s zero maintenance, zero calibration, zero moving parts, zero parts that wear, zero warming up, nothing.
lack of need to calibrate is certainly nice but it’s not like other trainers (kickr, hammer, elite direto, etc.) are junk.
Never said they were junk. Other trainers just aren’t as good. The Neo is in a class all by itself.
Never said they were junk. Other trainers just aren’t as good. The Neo is in a class all by itself.
“I wish more people paid attention to how well made and designed the Neo is compared to its competitors.”
I’m not following your point then. Why do you think people are NOT paying attention to Neo quality and deciding the cost increase above some other trainers is not worth it?
The Neo vs KICKR debate almost always comes down to people saying I’m not paying $200-$300 more for the Neo. The issue, at least with the vast majority of my discussions, is that people don’t really pay attention to why it costs 20% more and what are the long and short term benefits.
Example above. Dude makes reference to Neo’s flywheel having no clue it doesn’t use a flywheel. Tried to convince a friend last week to go with the Neo and to them is was only $1400 vs $1100. I know calibrations, warm ups, spin downs, and future maintenance and belt replacements are going to cause this person more than $300 worth of stress and agita.
I can understand the the maintenance as with the kickr there is a belt to replace. I’m not seeing that calibration is a huge deal if it’s just something needed on an infrequent basis. I get what your’e saying though if you’re talking about the neo vs kickr. but it’s more than a couple hundred dollars when you start talking about kickr core, tacx flux s, elite direto/zumo, etc.
… I get what your’e saying though if you’re talking about the neo vs kickr. but it’s more than a couple hundred dollars when you start talking about kickr core, tacx flux s, elite direto/zumo, etc.
I assume GMAN is refering to those comparing the Neo to the Cyclops Hammer and Wahoo Kickr and Elite Drivo which would be considered more equivalent, despite perhaps NOT being quite equivalent per GMANs argument.
In Europe the price difference between the above 4 trainers is very small. I think the Neo is typically about €1250 and the other 3 are typically about €200 cheaper. If you shop around you can often find the Neo cheaper than the the Kickr for example. I would only consider the Neo at the moment if I was thinking of spending in the region of €1k.