Bike Roller trick

stevej37 · 01-14-2018, 10:00 AM

I've been using bike rollers the last couple off-seasons to stay in shape. A near-by tv is a necessity...otherwise it's too boring.
This gal makes it look easy. (I wonder if she slid off a few times learning..like I did!)

look 171 · 01-14-2018, 10:19 AM

We all have. I used to ride it all the time just to sharpen my form. The most intimidating thing about riding rollers is getting started because you are sitting about 6" off the ground. That 6" is huge seeing it from the top of one skinny wheel. You don't really fall off and can't hurt yourself. We used to do it with toe clips and straps ourselves tight so we learned not to fall. If we do fall before we can release the strap buckle, then for sure we will scrap our elbows

look 171 · 01-14-2018, 10:22 AM

I jsut watched it. She has a very easy time getting started with that "thing" next to her and with clipless pedals. Try with nothing there, and have to flip your pedal and get your foot in the cage to get going. I sm sure she can do it, but for most people, that's just an extra step to get going. I love the tubular trick. That's fooking crazy

stevej37 · 10:31 AM

I have mine parked close enough to a doorway..to get started.
It was esp tough for me this year because I hadn't used them since fracturing my femur this past summer in a car/bike accident. Riding outdoors was no problem...but the rollers are harder because of the height that you mentioned.

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Wow. I've got a lot of hours on rollers and would never attempt that. Looks like a fall waiting to happen!

stevej37 · 01-14-2018, 10:54 AM

I especially like the one with the guy trying to use his treadmill instead of rollers!

LEAKYSEALS951 · 01-14-2018, 11:14 AM

oh. hell. no.

John Rogers · 01-14-2018, 11:57 AM

To make riding on rollers more of a challenge try drinking, pulling food from your jersey pocket and eating (bananas especially) and taking a pee ( be sure to wipe the floor well afterwards) and these will get you ready for the Tour de France!

mepstein · 01-14-2018, 12:37 PM

I spent hours and on rollers back in the 80's. We used to shove carpet under the roller for more resistance. I never tried the tire trick but it doesn't look too hard. The best is walking into a bike shop, acting like Ive never seen rollers before and betting the guys 10 bucks I can ride no handed. I never take the money but its fun.
I used to do a lot of roller riding with my track bike. The short wheelbase makes riding smoothly even harder but you ride down the road straight as an arrow come spring.

mepstein · 01-14-2018, 12:49 PM

BTW - If you are going to try to ride rollers, start off in a big gear, pedal around 90 rpm's and look at a point in front of you. Don't ride slowly and don't look at the front wheel.

look 171 · 01-14-2018, 04:34 PM

Lots of those guy that fell off, their upper bodies are all over the place compare to the guys at the end, they were smooth without any upper movement. That's what an experience cyclist, road or track, should look like and rollers will force you to have form.

Baz · Baz's Garage

I use a Nashbar C Force like this one.....

Had a daily regiment to watch "The Love Connection" every day while riding on my trainer.....it was great!

wswartzwel · 01-14-2018, 05:14 PM

but can you cook breakfast while riding rollers?

stevej37 · 05:25 PM

[QUOTE=Baz;9885768]I use a Nashbar C Force like this one...../QUOTE]

My rollers are Nashbar....not colored as the ones in the video

^^^Wow! She is good!

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

Had rollers for 6 months of pure hell. Soon as I lose concentration, off I go. Still using my 20 YO wind trainer, but have just about given up road riding with another Seattle cyclist killed yesterday. Have had plenty of close calls so moved on to mountain biking where I control the variables.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSBob

Had rollers for 6 months of pure hell. Soon as I lose concentration, off I go. Still using my 20 YO wind trainer, but have just about given up road riding with another Seattle cyclist killed yesterday. Have had plenty of close calls so moved on to mountain biking where I control the variables.

Hey Bob.....FWIW, I cycle on our beach here because there are too many distracted drivers now on the roads.

At low tide especially the cars can't come anywhere near me!

VincentVega · 01-15-2018, 06:37 AM

good stuff

I have the cheap nashbar/performance trainer and rarely use it. So boring and I've stuggled getting it setup. I wore out a tire, popped a tube... now I just go to the gym. I love the idea of rollers or a modern trainer connected to a laptop but.... I always come up with an excuse.