How I fixed my Saris MP1 side roller repair for <$10

Equipment
1

So my Saris MP1 side roller wheel has been on it’s last legs for about 1 year until it finally snapped in two the other day. I have been trying to find a replacement part but it’s been out of stock for over 1 year on Saris’s website. Without the wheel a $1250 rocker plate is basically useless which is wild.

I spoke to Saris and they basically told me to kick rocks, they have no idea when or if it will ever be in stock.

Decided to fix it on my own, I’ll post a few photos of the repair in the hopes it helps someone.

Cost me $8.49 total.

I used the wheels linked below which are 10x35x11mm nylon, a similar wheel is also available in polyurethane but I figure nylon should be more durable. I had a few spacers and washers lying around from another project, I’ll post the links here to make it easy.

So far it’s holding up great, I only have about 50 hours on it so only time will tell. Feels like new.

The stock Saris roller wheel is 32mm tall, the replacement wheels I used are 35mm tall. You can’t go any taller or the wheel will touch the frame (I suppose you could grind a bit of metal away if you really wanted from the silver bolt mount circled)

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For the repair I used clamps to hold the leaf spring down just to make taking the roller wheels off easy, I also flipped the spring plates around (4 screws, easy to do) since there were some groves wearing into them. Eventually I’ll take an orbital sander to the leaf springs when the other side develops groves too.

The clamps aren’t necessary, you could hold them down with one hand but it’s awkward. If you have an assistant then it’ll be a breeze.

The stock wheel (below) comes with two spacers on either side. The stock wheel is about 17mm wide, the replacement wheel is more narrow so more spacers will be needed to take up lateral play.

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The orientation of the spacers is as follows from left to right:

Original spacer/wheel/original spacer/2x 1mm thick washer/1x 2mm spacer. Snug fit, no lateral motion. It’s a bit finicky getting them into place, some thick grease helps keep them from sliding out of place.

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Some additional photos below:

Broken wheel-

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Clamps to compress leaf spring

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I realize I have it installed backwards, the nut should be on the inside for aesthetic reasons only as far as I can tell. Too lazy to switch it back.

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6 Likes
2

Great write-up. I have an MP-1 that’s ~3.5 years old. So far it’s holding up well, though I don’t use it a lot much preferring to ride outdoors. I do find the motion it provides to be very helpful. One thing I’ve found is that it tends to develop a notch in its idle position, as if the rollers get slight flat spots. I keep it forced off the idle position when not riding it to prevent that, or at least move the notch off center.

3

Thanks!

My wheels developed the same flat spots, I ended up sanding them back round. I have heard similar complaints from others. The plate they roll on will also develop a wear spot that exacerbates the wheel wear issue. The plate can easily be flipped around so the wheel rolls on new material.

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4

Yup. Flat spot on one wheel currently, and previously replaced the other after a flatspot.

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5

How does one sand the flat spot out, that seems to be pretty tricky to get right

6

Attach to a drill and run it over sandpaper.

Like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrCKhM1cmc4&t=66s

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7

When mine did not too long after getting it, I contacted Saris and they sent me a complete set of wheel/rollers that I still have. My “fix” was to rotate the existing ones to a new position, then keep the platform pushed off center when not using it so the “notch” was in the neutral riding position. So far, so good. Saris has gone through upheaval recently so IDK what to expect with parts or support for my MP1 or my 9 year old Hammer trainer.

8

Same here, they sent me new ones a few years back, unfortunately they all eventually got flat spots. Rad customer service, at the time

1 Like
9

Thank you for the write up. Mine just exploded 10 minutes ago. Grrrrr…

I will attempt to duplicate your process.

Thanks again