Rollers or Turbo Trainers?

[jayonabike]

What is the difference?

With winter on its way i was looking at something so i can use the bike indoors when the weather is crap. Which would be better, i just want something so i can still exercise and use the bike. I'm thinking of rollers personally but i am wondering which would be more beneficial to me?

I like the look of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kreitler_Challenger_30_Rollers/5360042568/

Any good? Or am i barking up the wrong tree...


Jay

 

[Will1985]

Depends what you're into. I have both and use both on a regular basis. In racing terms, turbos are useful for testing and structured interval sessions (TTing); while rollers are useful for cadence work and spinning the legs over (track and short road races).

Resistance does increase with speed on rollers, but nowhere near the same amount as on a turbo - it helps to use tyres with a higher rolling resistance which will also last a bit longer.

For general use if you're after up to an hour sessions to keep the legs moving and raise your heart rate, go for the rollers.

 

[screenman]

Harder to fall of a turbo, I use the Cateye CS1000 and I like all the information it can give you, great for all sorts of sessions. This is my second one in about 16 years, they ride smooth and quiet, great bit of kit.

 

[rich p]

Not realy fair of me to answer and Will's had experience of both but I like the turbo. You can relax a bit on the turbo without danger of falling, you can reach out for the remote control, read a paper (!!). It's easier to do structured interval training with the easy resistance changes. I change mine using the gears rather than the turbo's resistance.

 

[sarahpink]

im thinking of getting a turbo trainer too, not sure i fancy the rollers as don't want to fall of

and with my history of accidents lol. I have looked at turbo trainers but not sure what brand/make to go with? do they all do about the same job in terms of resistence, would be using it to do some interval work on.

 

[Young Un]

Rollers.

 

[RedBike]

The moment you stop paying attention on a set of rollers you come off them. Luckily no matter how quickly you were pedalling the bike always seems to come to a stop.

In a weird way the ability to fall off is advantagous. On a turbo you can drift off into a dream world and almost stop pedalling. With a set of rollers your attention is focused and you keep pedalling.

 

[jayonabike]

Thanks for all your comments, i think it will be the rollers that i invest in. Thinking of asking the Mrs if i can have them as a Xmas Pressie

Jay

 

[Rob3rt]

If you buy TacX rollers the aluminium roller model has a resistance unit you can buy seperatelly to add resistance to the roller workout. So this might be something to keep in mind when looking for a set of rollers.

Edit: I have no idea how good the product is though!

 

[screenman]

I maybe should have added to my post that in the past I have had rollers, just prefer the turbo.

Tip for turbo, get a spring loaded roller if possible, you will be suprised at how many back wheels are egg shaped, this will vary the pressure against the tyre on fixed roller one's, making the pedaling feel choppy.

 

[e-rider]

I maybe should have added to my post that in the past I have had rollers, just prefer the turbo.

Tip for turbo, get a spring loaded roller if possible, you will be suprised at how many back wheels are egg shaped, this will vary the pressure against the tyre on fixed roller one's, making the pedaling feel choppy.

My back wheel is certainly not egg shaped. Perhaps you need to get yours trued?

 

[amnesia]

I've got both, but only managed to get the hang of the rollers this week

Much prefer the rollers TBH and I am sure I read somewhere that you shouldn't use a turbo trainer with a carbon frame... might have dreamt it though...

 

[Shrimp_Stu]

I was thinking the same about the winter, but decided to buy a second hand racer that has mudguard clearance. Ok, so I get wet & cold but at least my "good" bike is kept clean, and in theory I've enjoyed riding in the rain/cold as it makes a nice balance to our 'summer', so you are appreciative of our inclement weather!

(Although I have been thinking of a turbo, as I've seen some used as a workshop stand )