Looking at upgrading my old Minoura rollers with a set of Kreitlers. My question concerns the two roller options- the all aluminum ones vs. the polycarbonate endcaps. The all aluminum ones are generally a couple hundred more- are they really worth it? Anyone had any durability issues with the poly end caps? The endcaps on my minoura’s are poly and they have actually come loss and make a heck of a racket. Kreitler of course has a better reputation. I probably put 1000-1500 miles a year on my rollers.
I’m looking at the middle-sized 3" drums for a bit more resistance. The 2.25" diameter sounds scary-small. Any opinions here?
Lastly, the Sportscrafter Rollers are quite a bit cheaper and seem to gaining a decent reputation. Anyone tried their rollers?
I have a set of the 2.25" rollers with poly end caps.
Have about 80 hrs on mine with no problems at all.
I’m also glad I went with the small rollers. With a relatively high gear with a few psi taken out of your tires you get some decent resistance to work against without any add-on fans or whatever. Fully inflate your tires and select a more moderate gear and you’re set for an easy spin.
I have a set of aluminum Kreitlers that are 15 years old. I have had to replace the belt that is all. Still rolling smooth and no problems. I am not a heavy user some years, but they are solid.
I have a pair with the poly end caps. 3" I love them. I have also had a 2.25" pair. I do hard in saddle sprints working on form. quite a bit harder on the 2.25’s. As much as I like making 2 cool black lines on my moms carpet, i like the 3’s better. PM me if you would be interested in them. I am now pretty much a trainer dude.
i know i know i know, this isn’t the classifieds, but I have so much stuff I don’t need.
I have the 3" rollers with pole end caps- no problems. For what it is worth, several years ago before purchasing, I called Kreitler to ask the difference. Al himself answered the phone and said something to the effect of “no functional difference- the poly end caps a much cheaper to make- some people just want all alloy”
Just learning to ride indoors have 2.25 poly rollers, they have lots of resistance. It is like riding up hill all of the time. I am still a little wobbly on the aerobars but hoods are ok. only took ~5x 10 min to feel confident (I am still in a doorway)
Are there any plans on the net for home made frames for the front wheel? My wife would like to try them and we do not have a mag trainer. Next week I will move to just a wall on them to watch TV.
Have a Merry Christmas (if you celebrate) and a great holiday (doing what ever you do celebrate)
I think that the real deal clincher here may be that both models have a lifetime warranty. It is hard to justify the extra cost if the drums will be covered no matter what the end caps are made of.
I guess all that leaves is a weight difference. Kreitler says on their website that since the alloy encaps weigh more you get more of a flywheel effect. But sinceI can sometimes manage basic math, I see I can buy a flywheel attachment for less than the cost of the alloy endcap upgrade.