I’m into road cycling, mostly fast-paced group rides. I ride outdoors at least 1x every weekend all year, and indoors a few times per week all year. My indoor rides consist of using a Computrainer along with TrainerRoad.
My computrainer setup is pretty big and takes up a fair amount of space in my garage. Computrainer on a platform, desktop computer mounted to a rolling monitor stand and keyboard. I see that I can hook up TrainerRoad to be used with my Powertap pedals and some rollers. This would simplify my setup for sure since I’m tight on space.
I should be able to use my Iphone + P1 pedals + rollers + Trainerroad right? No need for a computer?
Is there a benefit to using rollers over a trainer w/ stand? I know I wont get “ERG-Mode” and will have to shift gears to match power to the workout.
Are rollers extremely hard to get used to? Will my bike handling/balance improve?
I’m biased as I’ve ever only owned rollers and one brand… years ago though I did vet out getting a trainer vs. rollers. I chose rollers from Sportscrafters which at the time had a 5 position magnetic resistance bar that gave you a static resistance. They have since come out with an OverDrive drum that I upgraded to, it gives you a progressive reistance… that improved them a lot! No more asking someone to flip me to a different setting while riding.
I like rollers because they work on a lot of things, balance/control, pedaling efficiency, core strength and they’re a pretty good workout for the legs as well. Yesterday I started riding with PerfPro… it uses a virtual power curve and with an Ant+ dongle I’m able to do some quazi smart training sessions… or that’s my plan anyways.
I may join the smart trainer club one of these days… something like a Kickr, but I’ll always ride rollers during the winter and when I can’t get out part of the time no question about it.
There is a little bit of a learning curve, with a little time and patience you will get it. I recommend Sportscrafters also due to the support I’ve had with them over the years. My frame got a little rusted, even though I wipe it down religiously… they replaced it. Supposedly my current frame has an improved powder coating, its still going strong and looks great. At another time the rollers weren’t spinning that great and I inquired about servicing the bearings… they replaced them.
I used rollers for off season training for 20 plus years, then this year in April I finally gave in to Zwift after seeing it in my Strava feed from just about everyone. (I used to make fun of it relentlessly). After a couple sessions of Zwift with the rollers I got a Hammer and never looked back. I used it all summer long too, and am stronger than ever because of it. Now…If a company like Saris came out with a set of ‘‘smart’’ rollers I would definitely sell the Hammer and go that route. I do miss the technical aspect of it, and doing all the roller ‘‘tricks’’ was fun too.
I think rollers are only useful for track cyclists. My rollers ended up being a neat party trick when friends asked what they were for.
As an owner of a dumb trainer, a smart trainer (ERG mode), and rollers, smart trainers have worked the best for my training. I think that building core strength while riding rollers is a meme with unclear performance benefits - plus you have all spring, summer, and full to build “core strength”. Where regular trainers excel is that it is arguably superior than riding outdoors for building power. On a trainer, there are no cars, stop signs, or other cyclists to disrupt your ride. With a smart trainer and ERG mode, there is no where to hide from your workout.
however, to answer your questions…
Yes, but be careful when you look at your phone while you are on rollers. You might want to look into mounting your phone to your handlebars so you don’t need to fidget with it as much.
The benefit is “core strength,” but you should already get that from riding outdoors. The other is that it might make riding indoors more fun since the game is not to fall over and hold your line. I prefer to not focus on holding a line while i am indoors.
It’ll take you a week or two to get use to rollers. Rollers will not improve your handling, but might improve your balance. However, is your balance so poor that you need to practice balance?
I used rollers for years and years as my only bike trainer. It takes some getting used to at first but after a while it is fine - just don’t get distracted. I went down more than a few times. I moved an old couch next to it when I was first starting out.
This is correct: "1) I should be able to use my Iphone + P1 pedals + rollers + Trainerroad right? No need for a computer? "
All that said, when I upgraded (changed?) to a smart trainer (Wahoo Kickr) my bike fitness improved substantially. There is a lot to be said for the resistance factor - you will just work harder than you will on rollers just moving through your gears. I was pretty self-righteous with my rollers and thought I was doing great with bike training and riding up and down mountains outside, but then the Kickr kicked my arse and I am now humble. In your hardest gear on rollers you will not have the same workout as standing on pedals and grinding through high-watt sessions. I have never sweat so much in my life.
I’m into road cycling, mostly fast-paced group rides. I ride outdoors at least 1x every weekend all year, and indoors a few times per week all year. My indoor rides consist of using a Computrainer along with TrainerRoad.
My computrainer setup is pretty big and takes up a fair amount of space in my garage. Computrainer on a platform, desktop computer mounted to a rolling monitor stand and keyboard. I see that I can hook up TrainerRoad to be used with my Powertap pedals and some rollers. This would simplify my setup for sure since I’m tight on space.
I should be able to use my Iphone + P1 pedals + rollers + Trainerroad right? No need for a computer?
You can absolutely eliminate your computer by using the Mobile App with your PowerTap pedals
Is there a benefit to using rollers over a trainer w/ stand? I know I wont get “ERG-Mode” and will have to shift gears to match power to the workout.
While rollers certainly have advantages, they are not nearly as versatile as an ERG trainer such as your Computrainer. If you are familiar with our Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast, Coach Jonathan likes to use roller as as much as he can, however when the intervals get more intense, he switches to a standard trainer. As you work yourself to your limit, it can be tricky to keep a smooth pedal stroke and keep yourself upright on rollers, which makes a fixed trainer a better option.
Which rollers should I be looking at?
Jonathan recommends the Elite Quickmotion. He says that they’re the only rollers that create enough resistance in his experience.
The idea that rollers bring something additional to training is more “cycling myth and lore” than anything else.
Got to disagree with you here. Stop pedaling on rollers. See what happens. Compare that to what happens when you stop pedaling on a trainer.
With rollers, you can not stop pedaling. That’s it. On a trainer, you can Coast, Etc. Rollers give you a more complete workout just by the fact that as long as you are riding, you will be peddling.
Don’t waste your time…you already have a Rolls -Royce.
Don’t believe for a second that Eddy Merckx or Roger DeVlaeminck would have ever used rollers if they would have had a computrainer.
Rollers are a fun game to play…but that’s about it.
That’s just total BS…everything that you said.
I can stop pedaling on rollers…hop off onto the floor and hop back on…without flinching.
I rode on rollers for two decades…but only because…it’s all that we had.
The idea that rollers bring something additional to training is more “cycling myth and lore” than anything else.
While I don’t think they do a lot for base fitness (even though I sweat my butt off on them), I believe they help smooth out one’s pedal stroke and improve handling skills. Whether these skills help triathletes or not, I have no idea.
Jonathan recommends the Elite Quickmotion. He says that they’re the only rollers that create enough resistance in his experience.
Looked at the Elite’s real quick and the power curve looks okay but it’s a three position setting… the Sportcrafters IMO have a better curve AND its a progressive curve with nothing to change. Wonder if he’s ever looked at these before?
I used mine solidly for one winter, and use them occasionally now. I used to have a narrow corridor I would use them in and could push off either wall if I got into trouble. It definitely helped my stability/control as I got to the point that I could cycle no-handed and move from the left edge to the right edge and back. That said, no idea if it helped my overall cycling. I don’t use them as much as I don’t have a ‘safe’ place to put them easily and worry about falling down and hurting myself.
If it’s the choice between rollers and trainer I’d always go trainer myself. Rollers are a nice to have in addition but not as game changing as a trainer
This is nonesense!
You CAN stop pedaling on the trainer, so what? If anything thats a pro, not a con. I never stop pedaling on the trainer except once or twice I can remember when I overdid an all out effort and felt light headed for a few moments. On rollers I assume I would have fallen off!
It’s always possible to take it easy on yourself, rollers don’t save you from that. Discipline does.
Jonathan recommends the Elite Quickmotion. He says that they’re the only rollers that create enough resistance in his experience.
Looked at the Elite’s real quick and the power curve looks okay but it’s a three position setting… the Sportcrafters IMO have a better curve AND its a progressive curve with nothing to change. Wonder if he’s ever looked at these before?
I brought this up with Jonathan and he said that a more progressive power curve can certainly be a good thing, but pointed out a few benefits of the Quickmotion.
The plastic drums on the Elite minimize noise and tire wear
The design of the Elite rollers is more develpped and easier to carry around
Ultimately, I’m sure they are both excellent choices
Jonathan Lee
I haven’t used the Overdrives, but the Elite’s don’t leave me looking for better feel. They feel fantastic as is.
Could something with more progressive resistance be better? Sure, but rollers benefit from a somewhat higher resistance floor for stability at lower speeds.
But above all, I’m hesitant due to the aluminum rollers and rickety traditional design. The Elite’s are really quiet with the plastic drums, the design is much sturdier than traditional rollers, and they are easier to carry.
This is nonesense!
On rollers I assume…
Right, you’ve never ridden them obviously.
It’s completely different. On rollers you have to be in-the-moment at all times. It’s very different.
Whether better or worse, you can’t really say unless you’ve ridden both.
I would disagree for a few reasons. One- you don’t really use rollers to do “workouts”. Rollers aren’t something very useful when doing 6 x 6 min strong/4 min recovery. That would be an trainer every day of the week. Can you do that workout on rollers…of course, but it would be more difficult than on a trainer. Second- rollers are extremely beneficial for “indoor” riders, especially cyclists if they then do group rides in summer and/or on weekend, etc. Rollers are hugely beneficial in improving pedal stroke and gaining confidence on a bike, which is hugely important for cyclists. AG non draft triathletes??? Ehhh, the ROI likely isn’t there but for a cyclists out there wanting to rub elbows in group rides and races, rollers would be great benefit.
So i think your statement is more likely from misapplication of rollers than anything. Rollers aren’t designed as an replacement for trainers. Really rollers are a necessary tool for athletes in specific sports- cycling and itu racing a very good idea.
ETA: I should add, they have all kinds of gadgets now with rollers that basically keep you from falling/balance the bike for you, I believe. Which I’ve never really bought into. If I want athletes to get the benefit from rollers, they’ll use the basic rollers, no add on accessories to keep the front wheel straight, etc. That sorta misses the point of rollers imo.
Yeah, every time I hear comments like ‘i ride for hours in my rollers, and do intervalsmon them all the time!’ it’s usually from folks with pricey assist type rollers, not the harder to use simple ones. Very different.
The only “workout” i prescribe on rollers is a cadence progression set or handling/skills workout…RH on bars, LH off, RH grab water bottle…no hands, etc. I sorta have an unwritten rule with my itu athletes- they better be able to ride no hands after a few sessions or else rollers stay in their program. It’s not a firm rule, but it’s highly encouraged to show that skillset, more because of the safety of pack riding. That’s why I love rollers…they build confidence in athletes who can be new to bikes…to go from busting their ass the 1st time on rollers or slamming into the wall, to riding 1 handed/ no handed in a few weeks…biggest thing will be that athlete’s confidence in their own ability…that’s huge for itu athletes (especially single sport turned multisport athletes).
