I have this Elite. FTP +/-300. I run 52x36 - 11x30.
With a 32 tooth… depending on the power target might be hard to achieve. For some endurance/tempo and even threshold, I think is fine. For vo2, I don’t think you can, unless the idea is a high cadence, very high.
Look at this workout:
320w at 95rpm - intentionally 95rpm. If I remember, one settings 1. So, half way.
I will start trying when the weather is like it has been for the last several months but not this week. The nero was on sale and with shipping cost not a whole lot more expensive than a second hand one. I think I will place it in the hallway for now until I get the hang of it
Check out https://www.bike-discount.de/en/search?sSearch=Elite+nero+ that’s a pretty good price for the nero considering the going 2nd hand rate in the Netherlands is around 350 euros
As others said, it’s a bit of learning curve, but you’ll quickly get comfortable and not give them a second thought. Should be pretty comfortable within 10 rides or so and then eventually as easy as being on the road. I’ve been on inside ride rollers for 10+ years and the toughest roller skill for me is watching sports on big screen TV in front of me. It’s really easy to “follow the play” off to one side or the other without realizing it, but you do learn with repetition. Some sections of road on zwift have a similar effect where it takes some effort to keep things centered without thinking about it. But it’s all stuff you get used to. I remember seeing a video years ago with a couple people playing wii tennis in front a a huge drop down projector screen. They were riding with no hands and swinging their controllers all over the place, but steady on the rollers. Also, good video of Jolanda Neff juggling while riding rollers. At some point, it becomes muscle memory and doesn’t feel any different than riding on the road.
Part of me hopes rollers stay mentally engaging, tough workouts are so much easier outside although part of that is because I can count laps but also very much the effort to stay on target…
I can assure you, that rollers are way more engaging. With a fixed normal turbo my limit was 120m - top of the top counting down the seconds.
I can do 180m on rollers now. Did quite a few 100k zwift riders on Saturday mornings, can’t recall the name of that ride, but it is quite famous.
I’ve ridden rollers for decades and I don’t think there is anyway I could do more than 90 minutes on them…too engaging in that I can never just “zone out”.
BMTR rides?
I do the Zwift BMTR 100 mile (not KM’s) pretty frequently during the winter if weather is poor. It’s the better part of 4 hours, but it flies by pretty quick. No way I could do that on a stationary trainer, but the IR rollers make it very manageable from a comfort standpoint. All my long power PR’s have come from that ride, a good way to push a bunch of Kj’s through your legs in a reasonably short amount of time.
That’s the one. Thanks.
I usually split in 3. Each hour, I got off the bike, and use the coffee stop, 3 min. Back. Rinse and repeat. heheh
I think the “not zoning out” is what makes me do more than 2 hours now.
Me too, Canadian winter means no road bike outside. I do some fatbike, though.
I haven’t tried the 100miles yet, I do the 100km which is roughly 3 hours. Did quite a few last winter.
I’ve been riding my InsideRide motion rollers and switching back and forth between my Kickr.
It’s like I feel a whole different set of aches and pains when using the rollers. I also can’t stand on the rollers yet. The rollers are definitely more comfortable in certain ways and definitely more engaging. Sometimes though I just want to zone out and watch a tv show while I pedal and then I use the Kickr.
Honestly, what I think I really need is a platform around the rollers so I can put a foot down. Right now I’ve rigged up an exercise step one side and a sturdy chair (turned backwards) on the other that I can grab on to if needed.
And I’m still thinking that an Inside Ride eflex would be the best of both worlds.
It is, for me at least. I love my DIY motion rollers, but they continue to collect dust since adopting the E-Flex.
What tyre pressures would you use on tubeless road tyres, on rollers? I prefer riding rollers, but I’m always thinking I shouldn’t do it with my normal tyre pressure (60psi , 30mm road), because of the sharp contact spot. What do you guys do?
the maximum allowed.
The build in step on the Nero is not adequate?
I used to do the exercise platform next to the rollers to help get started. One foot clipped in to start spinning up while the other foot is on the platform, then pull the other foot up once you have some momentum. I probably did that for a couple years, but then tried a couple times starting from the floor and it quickly became easy and have never used the platform again. It’s a good aid, but you might force yourself to try without once you are generally more comfortable on the rollers. A good drill it to just give a quick kick with your clipped in foot and see how long you can “coast” from that one kick. It’s probably longer than you think and enough time to pull the other foot up and get rolling. But no rush, do whatever works and eventually muscle memory will take over. I definitely don’t have great balance or any special skills as a bike handler, but I don’t give the rollers a second thought any more.
I got an used Elite Quick Motion for 100 bucks. Struggled like you the first hour and needed to ride between the door frame. Since then it´s laying around waiting for rain in Spain…
Plus:
Minus:
I need to try a bit more but due to the last point I am not sure I will keep it.
Can’t you elevate the front of the roller bank?
I just did my first test workout (in spite of the beautiful weather). Interesting experience, it didn’t go to badly (had to stop to open the windows because I hadn’t set up my fans yet and for a delivery man). Hopefully workouts will stay as mentally engaging as this one and/or I develop much better bike handling skills. Did the workout in resistance mode. I should experiment with ERG and gearing more but I couldn’t find a good combination today and I really just wanted to try riding the rollers
Sure but when I would roll backwards from the roller, no?
Not when you go fast enough but otherwise couldn’t you use the rear brake?
(Incidentally according to the brochure the Nero can simulate upto a 7% slope though I haven’t yet figured how)
I think usually that just means a resistance setting - the resistance is as if you’re going up a 7% slope. Not that it actually elevates the rollers.
