Rollers!

[bainbridge]

I've decided to get a set of rollers for winter use. I can't get on with the turbo trainer, it's just so boring and even with music or watching tv it's still just so monotonous. You don't even need to balance so I find myself leaning to one side or the other like a little kid on stabilisers

Does anyone else use rollers?

 

[bainbridge]

Have you tried Zwift?

That looks good, just watched the vid but I kind of hate the turbo trainer now so won't be going back to it

 

[bainbridge]

Yes rollers are brilliant for technique.

That's what I heard, plus apparently the time passes much quicker than a turbo trainer.

Is is still a good workout?

 

[bainbridge]

Update:

Got a set of Elite parabolic rollers in early September and haven't looked back, I love em!

A little wobbly at first but soon got the hang of it, riding no hands after about a fortnight. It's an easy way to ride every day and fit it into my routine.

I'm not a competitive roadie or anything, I'm a tourer so little and often is a good way to stay conditioned with a proper ride mid week and a long ride or 2 day mini tour on the weekend.

The daily pattern I've fallen into is

1 mile at low cadence warming up.
2 miles at medium cadence
2 miles at high cadence (all out sprinting is too bouncy)
1 mile resting at low speed, practising balance.
2 miles at high cadence
Half a mile winding down

That's enough for me, it's actually quite a good workout and great for balance. I didn't realise I swung my arm out when grabbing the water bottle from the cage. Rather than doing this and having to countersteer I simply grab the bottle from the cage and bring it up to my mouth while keeping it in the central line of the bike and no steering correction is needed.

Also makes the pedalling action much lighter and based on rotation rather than pulling up and down.

 

[bainbridge]

Great info and good to hear you're getting on well with them! As mentioned they're really down to technique! How long does your pattern take you?

The technique and balance side of things I could probably benefit from myself (can't ride no handed to put on/take off a jacket currently)... Maybe in the spring I'll hunt down a set!

Thanks Roady, it was off the back of the advice in this thread which helped me make my mind up to get one. It takes me about 45 mins to complete the pattern, I'll increase this soon because it's becoming less difficult.

Much as I like riding no hands occasionally (it's a good way to stretch my back by sitting upright) I would personally stop to put on/remove a jacket, purely because if I came off whilst being clipped in and my arms being stuck in the jacket sleeves it would be a disaster falling and not being able to put my hands out to arrest the fall!