These “rollers” allow you to utilize power training and a real sense of riding while decreasing the chances of coming off the rollers. These are great as they still force you to balance and ride with proper positioning on the bike, but they allow you to sprint out of the saddle (check out the video of a buddy–Corey Stayton–doing 38 MPH on them–with some resistance too!).
Out of the gate, these rollers will have fluid and magnetic resistance options. Working with some partners, “downloadable course profiles” (including PC-based audio/video) will be available in 2006. The “electronic” version will be backward and forward compatible with earlier models.
That, or a similar concept, was at Interbike several years ago. If they ever get to the market place, it could be a fun device for those folks stuck in snow country.
Puskas, the next version needs to be 20 feet wide and 30 feet long and then you can do a group ride with all your buddies and sprint for the town sign !
Seriously though, back in 1994, Chris Boardman use an extra long running treadmill that could go 20 kph at 15% grade to train for extra long TdF climbs as there were no long climbs in his area.
…and don’t laugh,
I put my treadmill on 10% and 9 mph to try some long climbing, with my bike it the treadmill was too short. Another 1 ft long and I think my regular treadmill would be fine.
If you mounted that on your treadmill somehow you’d likely save the space you need to fit your bike on. Although you wouldn’t be getting the same workout (not having to balance), you’d be able to program in a hilly course and do some good climbs.
