Can anyone provide me with points on which is better?
I am leaning toward getting a set of rollers to complete this seasons base work on. The problem is, there is not much resistance on the rollers. But from what I understand, the rollers improve pedal technique and make you a much better cyclist than the trainer.
Thanks!
I only ride rollers when I ride indoors. I have two fans attached to the rollers, with both both fans hooked up the resistance is such that I can push a 39/15 at the most. There’re also rollers that come with variable mag resistance units attached to them.
So adding resistance to rollers is not a problem 
If you are a pure cyclist, you have to have both rollers and a trainer in my view as there are somethings that don’t work on rollers (for example out of the saddle, 70 RPM grinding climbs). If you are a triathlete, you can get your “fitness” from swimming and running and just use the rollers to keep your legs used to riding (ie, riding won’t be your primary source of fitness in the winter). Personally, I hop on my rollers for a 30 min warmup a few times a week in the winter before I head outdoors to run 60-90 min in minus 15-20 degree temps.
Unless you have lots of rodent genetics, spending too much time doing indoor bike training just results in mental burnout. Spend more time outdoors and if you live somewhere cold enough, learn to XC ski, snowshoe or speedskate.
i have both. i tend to use the trainer more because i can climb on and zone out reading or watching a video. on rollers, you have to pay attention or risk falling off. that said, they do work different things. the rollers are more for high cadence low resistance training and technique; trainers allow intervals and power work.
I am leaning toward getting a set of rollers to complete this seasons base work on. The problem is, there is not much resistance on the rollers. But from what I understand, the rollers improve pedal technique and make you a much better cyclist than the trainer.
You may be surprised by how much resistance rollers can actually provide you with, if you ride 'em with spoked wheels and relatively little tire pressure. I have a set of (plastic) rollers and ride them in the middle range on the cassette on the big ring at about 95 or so rpm. No way I could push an 11 or 12 in the back in the big ring for more than a couple minutes, and cycling is my strong suit. I’ve heard the fan units are neat but don’t own one. You can also just take a piece of carpet and slip that underneath the rear roller to slow things down. (I don’t do that presently but have before - good luck in the big ring!)
On the rollers, if you don’t pedal ‘round’, you’ll find the rear end of your bike fishtailing, so you’ll have to pay attention to that. Strictly subjectively, I found that this spring my line was a bit straighter when back on the road after doing my first winter on rollers.
I’ve been on both rollers and a trainer, and much prefer rollers. Plus, it’s been shown that chicks dig rollers, but not trainers ;-).
There are a few disadvantages to rollers, though:
– If you bike race, it’s harder to wam up in a parking lot on rollers than on a trainer.
– your high-intensity workout is limited not by the lack of resistance, but the fact that the bike tends to jump off the rollers once you really start hammering (but hey, it’s the offseason!).
I’ve heard the fan units are neat but don’t own one.
Trust me with both fans on you wouldn’t even consider the big chainring
On the rollers, if you don’t pedal ‘round’, you’ll find the rear end of your bike fishtailing, so you’ll have to pay attention to that.
That’s the beauty of rollers.
– your high-intensity workout is limited not by the lack of resistance, but the fact that the bike tends to jump off the rollers once you really start hammering (but hey, it’s the offseason!).
Quite frankly when I go that hard I don’t know if I’d want the rear dropouts being locked in a trainer.
If you really want a solid base, go out and buy yourself a 5-10,000’ mountain and train on that everyday.