# Rocker Plates for Trainers **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Tags:** trainer\ **Created:** [October 1, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981 "2018-10-01T14:25:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1 "2018-10-01T14:25:06Z")
My evolving [Google Doc meant to cover a range of Rocker Plate Info](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k34t_WIy4W6oNtsO0vN_uDx3TRHmY49jk7SJ_14u1Ww/edit?usp=sharing). # What is a Rocker Plate? - A “Rocker Plate” is a device used to add one or more motion (degree of freedom) to an otherwise rigid bike & trainer combo. Most designs sit on the floor, and then support the bike, trainer and rider on top of them. The rocker plate has mechanisms (simple or complex) that allow motion for the rigid trainer bike and rider combo. # Why use a Rocker Plate with your Rigid Trainer? * * * 1. **Comfort In & Out of the Saddle** - The small side movement of the saddle, even when seated, helps relieve pressure on the sit bones and soft tissue. - The added rocking motion encourages standing because it feels more free than rigid trainers which can lead to more frequent breaks between seated efforts. - When you have a bike that is perfectly comfortable outside, and then leads to problems when ridden inside, I feel it is important to look at what is different. When you do, there are two key differences. * * * 1. **Core & Upper Body Use** - With softer leveling spring settings, it requires more engagement from the core and upper body to ride level and maintain a smooth pedal stroke. - This is true for seated and standing efforts, when compared to rigid trainers. * * * 1. **More Standing Pedaling Motion Freedom** - Standing pedaling on a rigid trainer is awkward and not at all like riding a bike outside. - On a Rocker Plate, the bike & trainer are more free to lean to both sides. This can allow the rider to move in ways that are less awkward than on a rigid trainer. * * * 1. **Frame Stress** - Unproven by testing and data, but Rocker Plates are likely to reduce stress on frame members since they allow float and likely reduced side-loading to the frame members. * * * 1. **Media** - **[Rockit Launcher - Short Ride](https://youtu.be/gt2XO4NVZEo)**, video by Chad McNeese - **[CycleOps Ultimate Trainer Rocker Platform: Tech Details](https://youtu.be/bAB67DiNE9I)**, video by DC Rainmaker - **[CycleOps Shows Off New Indoor Trainer Moving Platform](https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/07/cycleops-shows-off-new-indoor-trainer-moving-platform.html)**, blog by DC Rainmaker - **[CycleOps Preview the Ultimate Indoor Trainer Rocker Plate // Eurobike 2018](https://youtu.be/J3VeWm4UGmI)**, video by Shane Miller (GP Lama) - **[Rocker Plate Roundup](https://youtu.be/XDt2zrMSA3o)**, video by Zwiftcast - **[Hack Approved](https://youtu.be/7beveKK_VpA?t=22m14s)**, video by The GCN Show Ep. 260 - **[Mixed Rocker Plate Info Comparison](https://www.cyclistshub.com/best-cycling-rocker-plates/)**, by Cyclists Hub * * * 1. **Build Guide with Drawings & Videos** - **[Rockit Laucher Drawing](https://www.facebook.com/groups/415329188897706/permalink/425970331166925/)**, drawing by Chad McNeese (Facebook) - **[Rockit Laucher Drawing](https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Xi0mHw8ObRcBA8nnenYBhNBTakncibz-)**, drawing by Chad McNeese (Google Drive) - **[Rockit Launcher](https://zwiftinsider.com/rockit-launcher/)**, blog post by Chad McNeese, on Zwift Insider - **[Rockit Launcher - DIY Build Tutorial](https://youtu.be/WIOElZ-9gLQ)**, video by Chad McNeese - **[Rockit Launcher - Spring Setup & Riding Tutorial](https://youtu.be/yIHG2PuPB6E)**, video by Chad McNeese * * * 1. **Social Media** - [**Zwift Rocker Plates**](https://www.facebook.com/groups/415329188897706/), group by Chad McNeese - This is a “Closed” group, in order to reduce spammers. You apply, answer a short question and I will approve you for membership into the group. - There are lots of posts with different designs and plenty of discussion. * * * 1. **Testing and Analysis** - **[Rocker Plate Testing with Saddle Pressure Mapping](https://www.trainerroad.com/forumt/rocker-plate-testing-with-saddle-pressure-mapping/7482)** ---
**Author:** ![Pbase](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/pbase/32/969_2.png) [@Pbase](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Pbase)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1000 "2018-10-01T14:48:35Z")
Great start! Looking forward to learning more. Question - I ride a Neo, and it “rocks a little”, but I still have significant saddle issues, especially in classes that have long steady intervals. I’ve been through 4 saddles that all work fine outdoors but are torture devices indoors. It’s bad enough that I’d rather do a class like Spanish Needle than a class like Petit. Does the rocker help with things like this? ---
**Author:** ![Slowmo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/slowmo/32/78323_2.png) [@Slowmo](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Slowmo)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 2:51pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1001 "2018-10-01T14:51:09Z")
I wonder if rocking the trainer will introduce additional stress to flywheel bearing. Kickr has a heavy fast spinning flywheel, which makes a great gyroscope. Gyroscopes don’t like being tilted sideways. ---
**Author:** ![paulrattew](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/paulrattew/32/2162_2.png) [@paulrattew](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/paulrattew)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1002 "2018-10-01T14:55:38Z")
I have a Kinetic Rock and Roll trainer and really like the sideways movement that gives. It certainly provides a bit more saddle comfort when doing long steady state intervals and longer turbo sessions and the pedalling motion feels much more natural when doing out of the saddle drills. It (and rocker plates more generally) doesn’t give you the same motion as you get when out of on the road - it’s of a different nature - but it feels more natural than the locked in position of most turbo trainers. It’s just a pity that it’s such a beast of a turbo trainer in terms of its footprint ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1003 "2018-10-01T15:14:35Z")
> [@Inside Ride Kickr E-Flex Trainer Motion System](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/inside-ride-kickr-e-flex-trainer-motion-system/20469/417): > > **Comfort In & Out of the Saddle** > [@Pbase](#): > > Great start! Looking forward to learning more. > > Question - I ride a Neo, and it “rocks a little”, but I still have significant saddle issues, especially in classes that have long steady intervals. I’ve been through 4 saddles that all work fine outdoors but are torture devices indoors. It’s bad enough that I’d rather do a class like Spanish Needle than a class like Petit. > > Does the rocker help with things like this? We have plenty of people with Neo’s that have added a rocker plate. They notice a real improvement in motion and usually in comfort as a result. The flex built into the Neo is better than nothing, but it is pretty minimal when compared to a more functional rocker plate. The fact that a RP allows that subtle shift from side to side, it replicates what we experience on the road. It changes the loading on the sit bones and related tissue with every bit of motion. I find it removes that tendency to grind those parts with no change in loading. Overall, saddle comfort is the driving reason people build a rocker plate. Most of the people I have seen add one, say that the RP has noticeably increase the seated comfort on the bike, especially when seated. Very few say there is no difference. ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1004 "2018-10-01T15:16:32Z")
> [@Slowmo](#): > > I wonder if rocking the trainer will introduce additional stress to flywheel bearing. Kickr has a heavy fast spinning flywheel, which makes a great gyroscope. Gyroscopes don’t like being tilted sideways. Doubtful. The motion is minimal when you look at where the trainer sits and the total displacement that it experiences. At max, my rocker plate is 7\* off-center. It spends much more time in the 1-3\* range which is what I consider to be negligible. AFAIC, it is a non-issue. ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1005 "2018-10-01T15:23:37Z")
> [@paulrattew](#): > > I have a Kinetic Rock and Roll trainer and really like the sideways movement that gives. It certainly provides a bit more saddle comfort when doing long steady state intervals and longer turbo sessions and the pedalling motion feels much more natural when doing out of the saddle drills. It (and rocker plates more generally) doesn’t give you the same motion as you get when out of on the road - it’s of a different nature - but it feels more natural than the locked in position of most turbo trainers. **It’s just a pity that it’s such a beast of a turbo trainer in terms of its footprint** That and the desire to use the trainer I already had at the time (Kinetic Road Machine) is one of the reasons I may my first rocker. There is no need for the width they made, IMHO. Maybe it is there to prevent those larger riders and/or those with questionable balance, but I have not had issues with my 32" wide footprint. ---
**Author:** ![willroland](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/willroland/32/14291_2.png) [@willroland](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/willroland)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2018, 3:41am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1006 "2018-10-02T03:41:01Z")
While I’m really tempted to build something, or just get the Rockr, I’m waiting for CycleOps…this design is the most promising I’ve seen. The forward/back and side/side motion seems to be very natural from the videos I’ve seen…I wish they would announce it already… ---
**Author:** ![brenph](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/brenph/32/15649_2.png) [@brenph](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/brenph)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1007 "2018-10-17T15:14:00Z")
If you watch DC Rainmakers keynote from the ant+ symposium he suggests that it’s going to be the price of a smart trainer… Approximately ---
**Author:** ![candyman27](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/candyman27/32/896_2.png) [@candyman27](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/candyman27)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1008 "2018-10-17T15:24:34Z")
I just saw something from Shane Miller (gp llama) on utube about rocker plates. Worth a look. I believe it may even feature our own Chad mcneese [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/4/d/4dc9387c0bac404daacbb3a2bffdbb8843473f24.jpeg "Indoor Cycling Trainer Rocker Plates - Round 2 // Rockit Launcher") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWLY4zLDPFE) ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1009 "2018-10-17T15:25:45Z")
Yes, that is my rocker. ---
**Author:** ![Lawrence](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/lawrence/32/14667_2.png) [@Lawrence](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Lawrence)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1010 "2018-10-17T15:26:45Z")
An interesting synopsis on rocker plates by @gpl and how they differ from riding outside with a couple of recommendations. [Indoor Cycling Trainer Rocker Plates - Round 2 // Rockit Launcher - YouTube](https://youtu.be/pWLY4zLDPFE) I use sqlab saddles ( [SQlab GmbH Online Shop | SQlab - Ergonomic bike equipment, award winner,](https://www.sq-lab.com/en/) ) and their ”active” saddle technology and find this helps greatly with hours in the saddle on a rigid trainer. I definitely notice the benefits when riding inside. Likely more epensive than setting up a rocker plate like @mcneese.chad and others but it can follow me outside. ---
**Author:** ![Lawrence](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/lawrence/32/14667_2.png) [@Lawrence](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Lawrence)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1011 "2018-10-17T15:28:12Z")
Appears @candyman27 was posting as I was typing mine. ---
**Author:** ![candyman27](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/candyman27/32/896_2.png) [@candyman27](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/candyman27)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1012 "2018-10-17T15:29:24Z")
Going to look at your videos but out of interest what is the cost of building/buying one ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1013 "2018-10-17T15:34:00Z")
It varies, but I estimate from $50 to $100 USD for most DIY builds. The commercial ones for sale are run from around $300 to over $500+. ---
**Author:** ![matthew.weigel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/matthew.weigel/32/176_2.png) [@matthew.weigel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/matthew.weigel)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1014 "2018-10-17T16:10:38Z")
_sigh_ on the list of DIY projects to improve my training environment, haha. ---
**Author:** ![GravelSteve](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/gravelsteve/32/7725_2.png) [@GravelSteve](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/GravelSteve)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 9:21am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1015 "2018-10-18T09:21:40Z")
@mcneese.chad A thousand kudos for this thread, really appreciate you taking the time to lay it all out. Now just finding the time to build one… ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 11:27am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1016 "2018-10-18T11:27:49Z")
> [@GravelSteve](#): > > @mcneese.chad A thousand kudos for this thread, really appreciate you taking the time to lay it all out. Now just finding the time to build one… You are very welcome. Let me know if you have any questions when you get into the build. ---
**Author:** ![BennyC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bennyc/32/7746_2.png) [@BennyC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/BennyC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2018, 11:06am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1018 "2018-10-23T11:06:55Z")
Pretty sure there are some ‘files’ on the FB group page. Loads of pictures too so if you’re technically minded you can reverse engineer something. I’ve picked up pillow bearings, rod, tennis balls and some (to be decided on my day off tomorrow) MDF/Ply. There’s more than one way to skin a cat with people opting for rubber bushing etc over bearings & rod. Equally you can use a combination of balls, bushings, inner tubes etc to give varying ‘rock’ resistance and feel. (Something to consider is where the central mass of your trainer lies and whether you will need to counter this with weight or your positioning of the rocker stops (balls, bushes etc)) ---
**Author:** ![JMickel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jmickel/32/18807_2.png) [@JMickel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/JMickel)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/1020 "2018-10-24T02:47:21Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/2X/c/cbe08a27cfea63be1d0b77cb1aed37ad9e3e4621.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/2X/8/811109ee078d800d019d7e46521bd46856ee4f90.jpeg) xI welded one using a leaf spring concept. It kinda works. I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. Thinking of adding some tennis or Raquetballs to limit the travel. [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981.md?page=2)