Rollers are good for improving your pedal stroke smoothness. The small contact patch ensures that if you bounce or waver, it's magnifies the bike's movement and bouncing on the rollers, which in turn encourages you to get smoother. They definitely can be fallen off of, but I set mine up right next to a wall with a chair on the other side. If you feel wobbly, you can just lean against the wall. To stop, just reach over to the chair-back, then put your foot on the seat of the chair. Don't forget that although you're pedaling fast, you're not moving and coming off the rollers isn't like a crash on the road. Of course if you're still clipped into the pedals, it might be an awkward fall.
One complaint about rollers used to be that they didn't have enough resistance, but most modern ones have the ability to put a resistance attachment on them. Otherwise you can ride with cheap fatter tires at a reduced pressure to get a harder workout. I don't know if they're sold any more, but I'd not recommend the rollers with the very small (about 3 cm) diameter rollers. They are just too much friction and you can't set them up for low resistance for when you want to just spin at high pedal speeds. Just remember that just like stationary trainers, the tires take a real beating and wear down more quickly than on the road. Bob Simpson -----Original Message----- From: Michael Obersnel [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, September 02, 2002 11:37 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [obc] trainers vs rollers. I'm looking to get something to keep me going during the winter but I'm afraid of commiting to a trainer or roller just yet. From what I've heard rollers are harder to balance on but give a smoother ride and trainers are more strength oriented, but can stress your frame more. I've got clip in pedals too, so rollers sound dangerous, Any one have experience with these things? ------------------------------------------------- For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------- ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
