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.
1 Like
I mean a larger platform on both sides in case you need to bail out. I have “crashed” once on rollers but was able to catch myself and didn’t fall. So far my exercise step works pretty well.
I think the whole “need to elevate the front wheel” idea comes from wheel-on trainers. Due to the need of lifting the rear wheel up to make it work, the front wheel ends up being lower than on a normal road. So then you could put a block underneath to make it feel level again. With direct drive trainers, the rear axle can be any height in principle, and at least mine has it the same as the wheel would (roughly, because tyre size varies). Which means there is no real need to elevate the front wheel. Rollers obviously have the wheels level as normal.
I actually figured out years ago that the highest setting on my riser block was more comfortable than ‘level’ when riding a trainer. Then I got a Kicker and just used the 24" wheel setting instead of a riser block.
2 Likes
You’re smarter than me. I knew nothing about indoor cycling so ordered a kickr and kickr climb which I keep in the most elevated position most of the time 
I described above why I´d need it.
I got Elite rollers in 2013 and when it was snowing here and I training for Flanders I got quite good at them (well for me at least). I found them quite good for 20mins test and I could be on them for an hour plus. Roll on 5 years from that and my balance wasn’t the best and I probably couldn’t have lasted 5mins. I found out a year later it was a chronic iron shortage caused by a bowel (colon) cancer. In researching before the subsequent chemo I was advised that roller are better than a turbo for preserving balance, and I saw a good deal on Elite resistance rollers, so I bought some. I used them a little at first but fortunately it was a good summer and I was out more. Roll on another 5 years I think my balance (on a bike at least) is back so I might try rollers again.
1 Like
Thinking about it. A direct drive trainer would be the lifting equivalent of machines, cycling would be equivalent to free weights and rollers to gymnastic rings where every imbalance is amplified
2 Likes
Just to add a few things I noticed after using rollers for the first time this winter.
- The balance is increasing, for sure. It seems silly, but being able to use your right or left hand to the water bottle while riding in a fast peloton is an asset. I trained this during winter.
- I feel that my pedal skills are more rounded, I don’t know how to explain it, but my pedal stroke feels more natural and better.
- my coasting time is very low as I got used to pedalling every second. I had a very low coasting time anyway, but now it seems even lower and natural.
4 Likes
I’ve never had a l/r balanced better than 47/53 and even went as bad as 38/62 last year, currently it was around 45/55 but look at my rides on the rollers 
1 Like
If I’m contemplating rollers, what are the best-quality options I should consider, that will work well for years and stay with me as I grow stronger?
I currently only ride bikes with 29" wheels, so huge adjustability is not a concern. I’m just thinking of quality in build, features, smoothness, and whatever else I haven’t thought of.
Thanks!
These 2 in the video below look really nice but are only available in the US and Canada. I am happy with my Elite Nero but don’t know how long it will last but it is only a fraction of the price if you look around (I payed less than 500 euro including delivery) and available in Europe.
1 Like
If ‘bikes with 29" wheels’ includes MTBs, you’ll need to make sure the rollers are long enough for that. Some are meant for track bikes and a lot shorter. The wheelsize doesn’t matter, it’s the wheelbase you’ll want to look at.
1 Like
I’m quite happy with the Elite Motion:
The movement helps a lot for standing up. The 3 levels of resistance also do a great job. Vo2 sessions completely fine without running out of gears. +/-330/340w for me. You can put 400 as interval I believe. I’m mentioning this as I think resistance is a big factor, some rollers will spin out quite easily.
Most of them are adjustable in length to accommodate different wheelbase. By the way, the wheelbase is important, not the size of the wheel.
You can get the Nero for a little bit more than the quick motion now 
Yes, thanks. I should have been more specific in that my bikes are road (Roadmachine) and gravel (Diverge, Jena). I suppose MTB is an option for someday, but I have none right now.
In either case, I assume most relatively high-end rollers are adjustable. But that’s really my question… which rollers are highly recommended that are of great build quality and reliability, with good-to-great features?
I don’t need something Tour de France riders would use, of course, but I’m definitely not looking for “cheap” or “budget” options.
And of course, I’m trying to understand the pros/cons of rollers versus something like the KICKR Move. The entire subject of rollers is new to me.
Avoiding the bare bones budget stuff, the leading one’s I’d consider, all of which allow some amount of length adjustment for typical road bikes. Some “MTB-like” gravel bikes with longer wheelbase may exceed the limits, so check specs for any you consider:
-
Elite Quick Motion - Includes fore-aft motion for comfort, adjustable resistance and compact folding option. Long time favorite for many (including Jonathan) despite the largely plastic construction.
-
InsideRide E-Motion - I’d recommend the regular resistance unit, not the electronic. The design that launched the fore-aft motion revolution ages ago, and are some of the most respected rollers on the planet. Lifetime durability investment and some of the best riding rollers around.
-
TruTrainer - Also non-elect resistance recommended. These are on par with InsideRide above with a different take on flywheel that they claim eliminates the need of fore-aft motion. I have not had the pleasure, but hear they are some of the smoothest rollers around as well.
-
Kreitler - Used to be the king, but are rather basic when you look at them. Possible to add stuff like headwind and large flywheel, but the cost is not in line with the options above.
-
TLDR rollers are fun, but demanding.
- They add a massive amount to the indoor riding experience, but make doing higher efforts more challenging and border on dangerous at times. I have had more than a couple of close calls where I was happy to have a wall on one side and bench on the other to catch myself in a recovery after a massive effort.
- The fun and engagement of balance on rollers becomes as detriment at times if/when you do maximal efforts. The effort is usually fine, but the recovery can be the tricky bit IMO.
-
Those close calls above are what lead me to make my first rocker plate. I wanted some of the freedom (and comfort) that comes from allowing the bike to move vs rigid trainers, but wanted to limit that just enough to remove the risky bits from rollers. The Kickr Move you mention gets most of that with less lean action than I personally want, but they seem well liked by those that have used it. The Motion Plates for the Tacx Neo trainers or new 3M head down as similar road.
- I loved my DIY motion rollers, but there’s a reason they have lived in the attic since 2015 after I made my first rocker. Not enough benefit to the rollers for my taste once motion is added to trainers.
1 Like