This is a great thread! I’m wondering if anyone has tried putting the balance pods directly under the feet of a trainer without having the plywood board between? Using either THESE or THESE types of pods. If so, could you post a photo or video of how you made them work. Thanks!
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Several examples I shared way earlier in the thread:
https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/rocker-plates-for-trainers/1981/492?u=mcneese.chad
They work and add motion, but I greatly dislike the bounce that comes from a pure suspension support.
Thanks for the reply! It’s a long thread! I guess I missed them.
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Ha, no problem. Didn’t expect you or anyone to digest the whole thing 
Always happy when I can point people in a direction of an answer. Let me know as you get more questions. 
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All those images you provided were extremely helpful, thank you!
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I like the idea of the T-Plate rocker. I think I’ll order some of the balance pods for this purpose. With the vertical board you mentioned no need for a complex pivot. The question I have is, how is the vertical board fastened? Do you screw the top of the vertical board into the plywood deck? I’m guessing then that the bottom of the vertical board is just resting on the floor then? With the pods, what size board do you use? 2x4? Do you use 3/4" plywood? Thanks!
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Depends on the precise materials, but screwing thru the deck down into the vertical can work. Another option is to use some metal angle brackets. They have holes and can be screwed into both parts to make a sturdy support.
Yes, the vertical should sit on the floor in use. Depending on the side and pressure of your pods, it may be slightly lifted off the floor with just the bike and trainer.
Yes, 3/4" thick plywood is best. The vertical can be a 2x4. You can consider a 1x4 too, if you want it less “stable”. Think of the flat as your “base”, and tipping off that will change with the width.
But I think a 2x4 is a great option. Plenty thick for screws, and the typical radius on the ends works well.
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Thanks so much for the detailed reply! If I’m using the balance pods (haven’t ordered them yet) with the 2x4, will the plywood deck still be resting on the pods and the 2x4? In other words, are the balance pods about 4" high as well to match the height of the 2x4? Thanks again!
Depends on the actual height of the pods. The 2x4 will be 3.5" tall, so that is one data point. You can always shim the 2x4 to make it taller, it needed.
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Ideally I’d like the top deck to be resting on the pods and 2x4 equally if possible. I think I’d rather be resting on the pods and then the weight of the trainer and bike will smush the pods down to rest nicely on the 2x4. It seems like the initial balance would be better that way. It looks like the pods I’m considering are 3.5" high which would be equal to the 2x4 - might work pretty well! I don’t think I’d like it any higher than 3.5".
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That is a really cool setup. I can imagine that has a great feel to it. smart.
Thanks! Comfort wise it is a little better than just side to side tilt only. But I still haven’t found my goldilocks saddle for my trainer setup so it just helps makes thing a bit more tolerable.
I was thinking of going the rollerblade wheels route or using conveyor roller bearings to add the fore/aft movement but decided against it only because using my old rollers didn’t require buying any more parts. Just only time to work out the concept and to make the modifications to set it up.
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Inspired by lots of great ideas in this thread I went from trainerless and clueless about both trainers and rocker plates to with trainer and with rocker plate over the last few weeks.
Here’s v1.0 just testing dimensions and function with this as it’s just cut from some mdf I had laying around. I made pockets for the ribbed arches in my plans but forgot to change the dimensions to accommodate the thicker mdf I was cutting the test from so the pockets on the top were supposed to be on the bottom. Details. Also seems I could have made the ball holes slightly smaller in diameter but the function of the balls seems good.
First ride tomorrow.
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That looks really nice and well made.
Can’t wait to here your feedback after the ride.
Thanks, I cheat a bit like some others in the thread. I let the computers do the heavy lifting.
With any luck I can help out some locals with some options in the city for these rocker plates as I see shipping costs are prohibitive.
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Wait. Tell me more about that cutter.
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It’s a cnc router, just a home job but still quite impressive for what it can handle and really a perfect tool for projects just like this. Mine is an openbuilds lead machine.
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This thread is great! Set up my Kickr on a very simple rocker system. Seems to work pretty darn well. Gonna test it out on a 50K ride tomorrow on Zwift!
As you can see, there isn’t too much space, so I just used two inflatable balance pods on each of the outside legs. Under the base, I used some wood shims. The shims worked well to get them evened out between the front leg and the base in the back. I’ve since taped the shims together so they stay in place. It seems pretty stable as well.
There’s a pretty good amount of rock for such a simple system. I should also add that I have the Kickr Axis attachments on the front leg and back base. They’re a softer rubber than the original front leg and base supports, so I think that helps with the rock on the two side legs positioned on the balance pods. Being short on space in the area my trainer is located, next to my wife’s trainer, I think this system will have to do for now. I’ll let you know how I like it after my longer ride tomorrow. It will be my longest ride on Zwift so far! Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
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That looks really good. That setup in particular will be decent since the center is mostly rigid and just leans. I think it will make a notable improvement over the original Axis feet for comfort and overall action.
Let us know after the ride. Have a great one.
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Rode my longest Zwift ride with the basic set up above. The natural rock worked well and definitely helped with the long ride. Although my sit bones did hurt for a short bit toward the end and then felt better. That said, with the above set up I did try to get out of the saddle and crank hard for a short bit. That didn’t work at all! My trainer almost came completely off one of the balance pods and slipped off the wood shims under the base and front leg. I had to hop off and fix it while I was coasting downhill! 
If I want to get out of the saddle I’ll need to figure out a way to secure the balance pods on the outside legs and the wood shims to the base and front leg. As things are right now, I just don’t have the space where my trainer is located to build a proper rocker plate on top of the balance pods. Perhaps even some tape connecting the pods and shims to the trainer might work. Part of the fun is continuing to look for ways to refine things!
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