Rollers vs. Trainer - Triathlon Week

Bucky · 10-16-2005, 10:00 PM

As the weather begins to change, and we start heading into winter, thoughts turn to getting out my rollers: I have a Tacx Eco Track which I've been using for two years now. This got me to wondering, how many people use rollers versus trainers, and what the advantages are to both. I've only used rollers and I really like them, while friends of mine who own trainers have tried the rollers and can't seem to get the hang of them. I've discovered that I can't watch movies with car chases while on the rollers (I tend to get into the action and end up swerving and falling off), but I think I benefit from having to pay a bit of attention to my balance rather than just blindly grinding away at the pedals. However, I don't have a resistance device on my rollers, and subsequently I wonder if I'm missing out. As far as I know they make a resistance device for rollers, but I've never seen or tried one. Has anyone tried such a device, and if so what did you think? Aside from that I'd be curious to know what people think about rollers versus trainers.

Smartt/RST · 10-22-2005, 11:27 AM

I prefer rollers for all submaximal training: they provide a pedalling action that is more like true road riding (i.e.: higher rotational inertia vs. riding a trainer) and as mentioned, require concentration, balance and bike control, all of which develop good physical and mental skills. The downside is that as intensity gets high (assuming your rollers can provide enough resistance) or you want to just watch a movie, the potential for coming off the rollers increases.
This is where trainers have an advantage; when you want to go hard or just focus on television to occupy your mind, all you have to do is sit there and have at it. All wind and fluid trainers will provide enough resistance for anyone too....aside from sprinting, anyway.