Rocker Plates for Trainers

  1. “Problem” could exist but depends on how narrow it is compared to the rocker. A couple inches on either side shouldn’t be a problem. More than that could lead to tipping issues that I think should be fixed with a wider mat or spacers at the edge to fill the gap.

    • There is a mix of people using a mat to help mitigate vibration and make the whole setup more quite. Otherwise, I don’t see much need for a mat.
  2. Yes, I got a lower pressure pump with a gauge to help get consistent and balanced pressures.

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  1. There are three common methods to adjust for the imbalance that comes from the offset position of the heavy flywheel on most trainers.
    • I have listed them in order of most to least preferred methods according to my testing and that mentioned by the majority of other rocker builders and users.


  1. Bike Centered, Counterweight, Equal Spring Pressure:
    • Install the Bike & Trainer with the Bike Centered Directly over the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis (Note: Some trainers will appear “off-center” because their footprint is not perfectly centered with respect to the bike center).
    • Add a Counterweight (10lb [5kg] is common) to the “Light” side of the Rocker Plate.
    • Use Equal Pressure in the Leveling Springs (Inflatable Balls placed equal distances from the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis).

  1. Bike Centered, No Counterweight, Unequal Spring Pressure:
    • Install the Bike & Trainer with the Bike Centered Directly over the Rocker Pivot Axis. (Note: Some trainers will appear “off-center” because their footprint is not perfectly centered with respect to the bike center).
    • Do not add a Counterweight.
    • Use Unequal Pressure (more under trainer’s “Heavy” side) in the Leveling Springs (Inflatable Balls placed equal distances from the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis).

  1. Bike Off-Center, No Counterweight, Equal Spring Pressure:
    • Install the Bike & Trainer with the Bike Off-Center from the Rocker Pivot Axis. Move the Bike & Trainer towards the “Light” side.
    • Do not add a Counterweight.
    • Use Equal Pressure in the Leveling Springs (Inflatable Balls placed equal distances from the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis).
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Here is my instruction on counterweight setup:

Most wheel-off trainers can benefit from a counterweight about 10 lbs [5 kg] placed towards the outer edge on the right side of the plate. Some trainers may also allow for less weight.

The precise location varies from trainer to trainer, and with some rider balance issues, but you can make those weights work in most cases.

  1. Install the bike and trainer, with the bike placed dead-center over the rocker plate pivot.

  2. Remove the leveling springs from the rocker plate. You want the pivot as the only support.

  3. Get some weights and place them on the right side of the rocker deck (since the trainer fly wheel is on the left side).

  4. Use a bubble level or eyeball to see if the deck is level. If it is not level, shift the weights left or right to make a change.

  5. Repeat the weight placement until you get the deck level, with little or not force from you to keep the rocker deck, bike and trainer level.

  6. Install the leveling springs, and inflate to the desired pressure. Assuming equal placement from the center pivot, you should be able to use the same pressure in each spring.

  7. Test a short pedal on the rocker and make sure it feels “right” to you. As mentioned, sometimes dead level is not best for everyone.

  8. When you are happy with the weight shifting, lock them in place and you should be good to go.

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How does the rocker contacts with the floor? Any rubber feet or the whole bottom plate? Im asking because mine will arrive in a few days and Im also doubting about using or not a mat underneath the rocker. :thinking:

If the Wiggle pics are accurate, seems the bottom has some spacers on there:

Well those might be small rubber feet. Just dont seam very tall and they are quite apart from each other and that may probably make in some uneven pavement part of the board to contact the floor. Have to wait and see it live. :roll_eyes:

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Yep rubber feet. Not adjustable. As my garage floor isn’t completely flat, I used some thin cardboard under some of the feet.

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@mcneese.chad just smashed it out the park. Great info :clap:

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Man, Thanks so much Chad. Thats so much great info. Im going to try using the weight as a counter balance and see if that can get it more stable. Just did my first ride with it and after getting used to it it didnt feel too bad but still feels like theres room for improvement. Thanks again for all the suggestions and help!

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You are more than welcome. Let me know if you have any questions not covered.

Happy rocking! :smiley:

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Hey Chad, When you put the weights on is it ok to just place them on the rocker or do you tie them down in the slots to attach the trainer? Do they fall off when it rocks?

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I suggest attaching the counterweight with a strap or other method. You don’t want any chance of it slipping or getting bumped once you find the right spot for the weight.

I use a mat under my Lifeline rocker simply to catch any sweat splash and because I’ve a giant KICKR mat and what else am I going to do with it. My balls (ahem) are pumped to different pressures, arrived at via trial and error with a little hand pump. The one that comes with the rocker is fine, just experiment to dial it in. I’m going to try Chad’s counterweight option at some point. Good luck!

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If anyone is looking to build one, here is everything I have compiled from Andrew’s design. It has for aft and side to side and I modified it a bit to fit my trainer.

Id expect to pay 200-400 for CNC for 1 piece from what I have seen in my research and then about $150 in parts depending on where you get them.

edit the spacing for the bearings need to 40mm not 35.

WeRideSouth Rocker Plate V2 modified.pdf (29.2 KB)

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@mcneese.chad - have you any thoughts on the pros and cons of building a full length version of your Rocket Launcher? I’m considering attempting to build a version of your design and was wondering how feasible a full-length version would be rather than one that just sits under the trainer.

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Yeah, totally possible to go full length with my design. I’ve not done it, but others have.

If I built one today, especially for full length, use the vibration mount design since it makes the build simple and easy compared to my hinge design.

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Thanks Chad. Nice work!

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Having had some more issues with the inflatable rubber bladders that came with my Bespoke Rocker, I’m considering switching to exercise balls. However I’m not quite sure what size I should be getting.

For reference, the space in between the top and bottom plate is about 2 - 2 1/4" when level. Just wondering what size of ball would work best in that space…

I have 2" between the plates on mine with a 6" ball either side, that seemed pretty common when I was setting mine up and has worked well.

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Great, thanks! Will give that a try.

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