wagner@uw-june (Dave Wagner) (02/21/85)
I'm posting this article in response to a question about adding resistance
to rollers. (I'm sure we have the makings of a good argument here!)
Now, rollers do have the following advantages:
1. They develop your sense of balance.
2. They smooth out your pedal stroke (but see #2 below).
3. You can't rest while riding rollers, hence you get a hell of a
workout!
4. Set-up time is nil.
5. Good rollers are quiet.
However, in my opinion, rollers also have the following disadvantages:
1. Load does not increase realistically will speed.
(Note: certain rollers, e.g. Kreitler, have add-on blower units
to remedy this problem. But this is a very expensive set-up.)
2. In order to avoid bouncing, your foot has to slow down as it
reaches the bottom of the pedal stroke. Although this makes the
roller ride feel smooth, it is unnatural for road riding.
3. Rollers (good ones) are expensive!
Now let's consider wind trainers:
1. Wind trainers provide a realistic load curve.
2. Wind trainers are more stable than rollers.
3. You can really jam down on the pedals on a wind trainer!
4. You can rest on a wind trainer.
5. Wind trainers are cheap compared to good rollers.
On the minus side:
1. Wind trainers are noisy (like a jet engine!)
2. Wind trainers do nothing for you balance or style.
3. Set-up can be a hassle (although this is not a problem if
the bike stays on it all winter long).
There you have it, the pros and cons, as objectively as I can lay them out.
Now for my subjective opinions.
I have owned and ridden a variety of both types of devices. Although I like
the smooth feel of good (read: expensive) rollers, I am not satisfied with
the load they provide. (I once owned a pair of el-cheapo rollers, and believe
me, if you can't affort good rollers, don't even bother!) Recently, I
purchased a Saturae wind trainer. What a workout! Even though I considered
myself to be in pretty good condition, I was quickly able to shoot my pulse
up to the red zone (~180, which is slightly over 100% of my maximal recommended
heart rate)! Needless to say, I don't do that very often, but it's nice to
know that I'll have to get a whole lot stronger before I find it "too easy"!
And the noise? Well, I just crank up some Genesis @ 110dB on the ol' stereo
and I hardly even notice it!
Let's hear some other opinions!!
Dave Wagner
University of Washington Comp Sci Department
wagner@{uw-june.arpa|washington.arpa}
{ihnp4|decvax}!uw-beaver!uw-june!wagner
"Oh no! I've got . . . . . HAPPY FEET!"thielges@uiucdcsb.UUCP (02/22/85)
I don't believe that the 'realistic' load curve on wind trainers makes
much difference. Remember, on any trainer, you are really standing
still. So what if you are cranking at 90rpm in high gear. Sure that
isn't realistic in terms of road conditions (except if you're screaming
down a grade with a tailwind) but I think what really matters is that
your heart, legs and lungs get a good workout.
When I ride rollers, I usually only use two or three different power
output levels (cadence and gear ratio). So what good would a 'realistic'
load curve do for me ? I have never had a problem with getting a good
{workout on rollers yet. I think the balance practice is well worth the
value. I have cheapie Roto-rollers. From the parent posting, I guess I
should try some fancier ones. Maybe there is even better performance to
be found.
Bart Thielges
...uiucdcs!thielgeswew@mgweed.UUCP (Ed Weiss) (02/27/85)
I agree with Bart. I've never had a problem with getting a workout on rollers. AND there are many other benefits - - like developing a smooth spin, no bouncing when pedaling at high speed. Like being able to ride in a straight line, no swaying from side to side. Of course developing a feel for your bike in a more realistic more road-like situation is an important benefit. Now you may say that all this is fine, but there is no wind! Now the final knockout punch! The wind load can be cheaply accomplished by cutting out pieces of fairly heavy cardboard and wedging them between the rim and the last point at which your spokes cross. You will find a point where the crossing point of the spokes from the right side of the hub and crossing point of the spokes from the left side will form seats for the cardboard pieces to rest. A piece about 9" long, 1 1/2" wide at one end and 3" wide at the other and positioned at each set of crossing points will provide all the load you'll want. An additional advantage to this 'wind load' is it's cooling wave of moving air. While it is not a blast in the face,it does move large volumes of air toward one side of your position, which then bounces off walls and returns to refresh. I've found it's necessary to tape the blades to the spokes to keep them in position at high speeds. Ed Weiss