Indoor roller trainers

[Sprockets]

Hi everyone.

 

I would like to find out if there would be a market for roller indoor trainers? There are many on the market but they cost thousands. Would there be a market for cheaper options?

 

Yes / no ??

 

Thanks

[Martin PJ]

Yes, what is your target price? Chris Willemse sell Marvel Rollers which I have. I had some problems with these at first, but they are OK and use them a lot. On special now they are R1299 plus R200 for courier.

 

Rollers are old school, but I think there is a place for them, either warming up for races or doing some base miles when weather is bad or you just want to spin at night.

[Dirkitech]

I've been interested for a while. Also briefly checked the diy route but sourcing the parts for my design was proving impossible.
Definitely interested at the right price.

[Andrew_Smith]

Yes - I think rollers would be a better option for me than an indoor trainer.

 

I like smashing my bike outside, not indoors.

 

Rollers would make a perfect combo for those horrendous days outside.

 

Although, with the summer here, I would only be interested when it is winter again.

[solty]

Picking up this older thread...

 

I've been off the bike for a while and have time in evenings to build up some fitness. Plus a serious DIY itch to build el-cheapo roller setup to help with that problem.

 

Is anyone using their MTB on rollers? How is the noise and vibration from knobbly tyres?

 

If you're using your off-road tyre, as opposed to specific in door trainer tyre, is there a tyre that strikes reasonable balance for roller use and on the trails, specifically at the back?

 

Would appreciate your experiences.

[Barend de Arend]

Picking up this older thread...

 

I've been off the bike for a while and have time in evenings to build up some fitness. Plus a serious DIY itch to build el-cheapo roller setup to help with that problem.

 

Is anyone using their MTB on rollers? How is the noise and vibration from knobbly tyres?

 

If you're using your off-road tyre, as opposed to specific in door trainer tyre, is there a tyre that strikes reasonable balance for roller use and on the trails, specifically at the back?

 

Would appreciate your experiences.

 

I prefer my road bike on rollers, but I've used my MTB.  It's perfectly possible.

 

Here are the drawbacks.  They won't stop you, just keep them in mind.

• There's more noise.
• You might not have the gears.
• The handlebars are wider, which can make starting in a door frame more difficult, especially if you're not used to it.
• Modern long-low-slack geometry on your MTB might mean that your wheelbase is too long for many rollers.

[ChrisF]

I have tried to use MTB tires on a Trainer (where the wheel runs on one roller)

 

NOISY !!!

 

 

But you CAN by blue trainer wheels for your MTB.

 

 

Do yourself a favour ... read up on the various power trainers and apps and and .... it does not have to be expensive, and the interactive nature makes you want to ride more ...

[Kranswurm]

I have tried to use MTB tires on a Trainer (where the wheel runs on one roller)

 

NOISY !!!

 

 

But you CAN by blue trainer wheels for your MTB.

 

 

Do yourself a favour ... read up on the various power trainers and apps and and .... it does not have to be expensive, and the interactive nature makes you want to ride more ...

Big difference between rollers and power trainers

[ChrisF]

Big difference between rollers and power trainers

 

YES.

 

Just putting it out there that if he does not know what he wants, it is well worth reading up a bit before deciding ....

[Martin PJ]

I don't think it is practical to train on rollers with a mountain bike. Too noisy with knobbly tires and if you put slicks on with high pressures, you would probably spin them out using MTB gears.

 

I have tried to build a DIY roller and seen others' attempts, it is not as easy as it looks. Rather buy the Marvel ones.

[solty]

Thanks for your feedback and insights. Biggest problem would be noise it seems, and that a Diy job turns out to be a dud. But that's always a risk. Better to have low expectations.

 

If seen some pictures of guys' power trainer setups - some serious rigs! Not committed enough to indoors cycling for that - no offense to those that are, can understand it.

 

I'll ponder this some more and post back here if I get something together.