Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

Any old guys ride rollers?

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

Any old guys ride rollers?

Old 11-15-22, 05:25 PM
  #26  
TiHabanero
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,435
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1726 Post(s)
Liked 1,350 Times in 705 Posts
Put the rollers away last fall after my son bought a Wahoo Kickr trainer for me so he and I can do virtual rides together. Haven't bothered with the Zwift or other apps cause I don't like subscription services, but spinning vinyl or a CD and using the watt and rpm function on the Wahoo app makes for a fine workout.

FWIW rollers most certainly helped train my legs into an rpm machine, which in turn requires a smooth pedal stroke. RPM's are needed to keep the drums turning and due to the design of rollers a smooth pedal stroke makes for a really unique experience. Rode those cheap Giant rollers for over 30 years and only one band had to be replaced. They still spin like new and the Minoura replacement band that is about 12 years old is still working just fine.
TiHabanero is offline  
Old 11-15-22, 06:16 PM
  #27  
Carbonfiberboy 
just another gosling
 
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,501

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3872 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times in 1,369 Posts
Old man on rollers:



Smoother helps a lot on seated climbs. Those biased studies of pros hammering were all done on flat TTs. Yep, rollers won't help you hammer, I know a great shock, but there it is. Want to see how smooth you are? Sit down on your trainer, get in a very low gear, and pedal at 115-120 rpm for 20'. Nothing to it, right? Actually, I could do that in my 60s, but now I'm down to 105-110 for long periods. Smooth is all about only putting force on the pedals that's tangential to the pedal circle, i.e. no wasted effort, no bouncing.

These are ancient Bike Nashbar rollers with ABS drums. The drums used to be ribbed, but I've long since polished all that off. The hand lamp at the rear is a heat lamp to preheat the fluid resistance unit. It gets cold out on our shop in winter. The resistance unit isn't very strong, only gets up to maybe 500w, but plenty for me.

The post on my right is there, well, because I'm old and want things a bit easier. Various interval workouts are tacked to it. I want to stop, I just lean to my right and stop. I also get dressed in the morning while standing, pants, socks, and shoes. Every little bit helps. Falling is not good.

Oh - the door behind me is for our resident hobbits.
__________________
Results matter
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Likes For Carbonfiberboy:
Old 11-16-22, 08:19 AM
  #28  
Trakhak
Senior Member
 
Trakhak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,338
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2429 Post(s)
Liked 2,885 Times in 1,646 Posts
I once overheard a very smart teammate of mine enthusiastically complimenting a guy on another team on his pedaling smoothness during a crit race. After the race, I asked him what that was about. He said that he figured the guy would probably try to pedal even more smoothly and thus waste additional energy.

Spinning at high speed downhill on a track bike has nothing to do with conventional pedaling technique and certainly nothing to do with theoretical roller-acquired smoothness. Keeping up with other guys who were on road bikes, my maximum rpm on a downhill per a cadence meter was around 225. The only way you can pedal that fast is to forget about "pedaling circles" and instead pretend that your feet are shuttling back and forth on a flat plane. Takes a certain amount of nerve, too.
Trakhak is offline  
Old 11-16-22, 11:49 AM
  #29  
Carbonfiberboy 
just another gosling
 
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,501

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3872 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times in 1,369 Posts
Originally Posted by Trakhak
I once overheard a very smart teammate of mine enthusiastically complimenting a guy on another team on his pedaling smoothness during a crit race. After the race, I asked him what that was about. He said that he figured the guy would probably try to pedal even more smoothly and thus waste additional energy.

Spinning at high speed downhill on a track bike has nothing to do with conventional pedaling technique and certainly nothing to do with theoretical roller-acquired smoothness. Keeping up with other guys who were on road bikes, my maximum rpm on a downhill per a cadence meter was around 225. The only way you can pedal that fast is to forget about "pedaling circles" and instead pretend that your feet are shuttling back and forth on a flat plane. Takes a certain amount of nerve, too.
As I've said before, on the flat one's crank inertial load is high and one might be able to pedal more efficiently hammering the downstroke. Long climbs are another story, and average speeds on long hilly rides are determined by climbing speed, not speed on the flat.

Descending fixed at high rpm is a good way to get TKRs. You really want to use your front brake (better have one) and pedal against slight resistance. Or so said The Octopus, who rode all 4 routes on Ventoux fixed in 24 hours. That back and forth sensation is very like pedaling circles at high rpm.

I'd sometimes hit 150 and could hold 135 on the flat, going out with geared bikes on a SS. That was about 25 mph with me back in the paceline in my early 60s. With SS, I preferred to climb in the saddle up to about 15%, when I couldn't turn the cranks seated anymore. I had a spin bike instructor, a Cat 1 trackie, who could hit 200, though of course spin bikes are FG too.

Both high and low rpm on a freewheel bike is a very different sensation as the chain doesn't make your feet go 'round - plus one gets to coast! We all get better at the thing we do the most.

I've found one-legged pedaling on the rollers definitely helps my climbing endurance. Of course it has to be done on a freewheel bike or there's no benefit. I quit the interval when I can't keep a tight chain. I found OLP was easier outdoors on the flat or a slight climb with some bike momentum - higher inertial load - but easier isn't the point. I push forward at the top, pull back at the bottom, and somehow drag my foot up the backstroke.
__________________
Results matter
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Old 11-19-22, 05:57 PM
  #30  
Hermes
Version 7.0
 
Hermes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,098

Bikes: Too Many

Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1326 Post(s)
Liked 2,438 Times in 1,425 Posts
I use rollers for warmup and cooldown at the track. I think most trackies can ride rollers. My first coach, who was from Belarus and coached the national team loved rollers. He showed me pics of two person rollers. Now that is what I am talking about. Get on a double wide set of rollers (common drums) and ride together.
Hermes is offline  
Old 12-04-22, 07:44 PM
  #31  
IronM
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Cumming GA
Posts: 201

Bikes: Fuji Transonic, Ridley Excalibur, Foundry Overland, Niner EMD

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 40 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 16 Posts
Sure, yes. I've got a smart trainer that I use more, but sometimes I just spin on rollers while watching a movie. Which I probably should be doing right now.. but...
IronM is offline  
Old 12-04-22, 08:30 PM
  #32  
jadmt
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jadmt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,748

Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 900 Post(s)
Liked 1,842 Times in 830 Posts
been riding them about every day for the last 2 weeks and it came back pretty fast. just need to lose the gut but spring.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MaoabD1KiBHFDXCM9
jadmt is offline  
Old 12-04-22, 10:18 PM
  #33  
gkamieneski
Full Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 480

Bikes: Pinarello Gavia TSX; Bianchi Intenso

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 90 Times in 61 Posts
Still riding my Kreitlers several times a week in the winter when the temp dips below 35 or the roads are snow/ice covered.

A couple of years ago a built a freemotion cradle for the Kreitlers and then I installed an angle iron bar in front of the rear roller with 10 neodymium magnets. Makes for great adjustable resistance.
gkamieneski is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 05:45 AM
  #34  
Prowler 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Near Pottstown, PA: 30 miles NW of Philadelphia
Posts: 2,185

Bikes: 2 Trek Mtn, Cannondale R600 road, 6 vintage road bikes

Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 470 Post(s)
Liked 1,016 Times in 398 Posts
Originally Posted by jadmt
been riding them about every day for the last 2 weeks and it came back pretty fast. just need to lose the gut but spring.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MaoabD1KiBHFDXCM9
I’ve read several times that it’s goes better to not look at the front wheel while under way. Focus 10 to 12 feet ahead of the wheel. I started out focusing on a spot about 4’ up the opposite wall. It does help balance and smoothness. I can now look out the windows and even off to the right side to see the wall clock.

But then, given that I even own an analogy wall clock says something ancient about me.

BTW: equally ancient 4” aluminum Kreitler rollers. Original bearings still smooth and quiet. Nice kit. Made a magnet bar for increased resistance but didn’t really need it. Took it off and set in a corner.

Last edited by Prowler; 12-05-22 at 05:51 AM. Reason: add info in BTW
Prowler is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 08:09 AM
  #35  
jadmt
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jadmt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,748

Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 900 Post(s)
Liked 1,842 Times in 830 Posts
Originally Posted by gkamieneski
Still riding my Kreitlers several times a week in the winter when the temp dips below 35 or the roads are snow/ice covered.

A couple of years ago a built a freemotion cradle for the Kreitlers and then I installed an angle iron bar in front of the rear roller with 10 neodymium magnets. Makes for great adjustable resistance.
do you have a photo? I have a killer head wind set up but need to order another belt. I recall it was pretty loud so quieter would be nice.
jadmt is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 08:42 AM
  #36  
gkamieneski
Full Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 480

Bikes: Pinarello Gavia TSX; Bianchi Intenso

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 90 Times in 61 Posts
Jadmt, I cannot tell from your photo whether or not you have the alloy rollers? The resistance from neodymium magnets only works with the alloys.
gkamieneski is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 08:51 AM
  #37  
jadmt
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jadmt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,748

Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 900 Post(s)
Liked 1,842 Times in 830 Posts
Originally Posted by gkamieneski
Jadmt, I cannot tell from your photo whether or not you have the alloy rollers? The resistance from neodymium magnets only works with the alloys.
thanks, I don't these are the plastic material well not plastic but the name slips my mind at the moment
jadmt is offline  
Old 12-05-22, 08:54 AM
  #38  
gkamieneski
Full Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 480

Bikes: Pinarello Gavia TSX; Bianchi Intenso

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 90 Times in 61 Posts
Originally Posted by jadmt
thanks, I don't these are the plastic material well not plastic but the name slips my mind at the moment
You can still build a freemotion chassis, but the rare earth magnets will do you no good as far as reisstance. By the way, I have replaced the sealed bearing cartridges on the Killer Headwind fan. If yours is extra noisy, you may want to consider new bearings.
gkamieneski is offline  
Likes For gkamieneski:
Old 12-08-22, 06:10 AM
  #39  
inaminit
Newbie
 
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Queensland
Posts: 13

Bikes: They seem to be breeding

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Got given a set of rollers about 4 years ago and thought, I'm a well trained cyclist, I race, how hard could it be..... now I know. still cant ride them!!!!
inaminit is offline  
Old 12-08-22, 07:27 AM
  #40  
jadmt
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jadmt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,748

Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 900 Post(s)
Liked 1,842 Times in 830 Posts
Originally Posted by inaminit
Got given a set of rollers about 4 years ago and thought, I'm a well trained cyclist, I race, how hard could it be..... now I know. still cant ride them!!!!
give it another try. use a chair to get started. put a chair on both sides of the rollers.
jadmt is offline  
Old 12-08-22, 12:38 PM
  #41  
streetsurfer
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Illinois
Posts: 338
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 94 Post(s)
Liked 282 Times in 149 Posts
May I ask, do the conical rollers as on a TacX Galaxia make a worthy difference? Case in point, I’m a near beginner. I’ve ridden straight rollers once, successfully, many moons ago.

thanks kindly
streetsurfer is offline  
Old 12-08-22, 03:12 PM
  #42  
AKTed
Newbie
 
AKTed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Michigan/Alaska
Posts: 46

Bikes: Norther Lyon, Ritchey Ti Cross Breakaway, Gunnar Sport, Santa Cruz Chameleon, Salsa Beargrease, Santana Arriva, 907 Fatbike, Airborne Lucky Strike, Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I’ve been riding rollers for several years. I think I was 60 before I first started on them. There is a bit of a learning curve, but I find them fun when the weather is lousy. I would rather be outside on the fat bike.


AKTed is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.