Rollers Vs. Trainers
Over the last couple months I have been asked at least a half dozen times whether I recommend a set of rollers or a more traditional resitance trainer for indoor training.
My answer each time I’ve been asked has been, “it depends.” It depends on what you want the contraption for.
If you are looking for a device that will allow you to sit in the comfort of your home in the evening or on a rainy day and get a great workout – albeit mentally painful :| - then a wind/magneto trainer is the way to go. You simply plop your bike atop the trainer and pedal until you pass out.
If you are looking for a device that will force you to be smooth on the bike (i.e., pedal in circles vs. stomping, relax your upper body, etc), then a set of rollers may be in order. When I used to ride rollers, I never had a set that had any sort of resistance (i.e., no fan/magnet). The rollers themselves are affected by the drag of the rollers themselves along with the drag caused by your bike, but nothing like a resistance trainer. You can purchase those as add-ons to your rollers if you are looking for that.
The biggest downside to rollers is that you can fall off. With a trainer, you can fall asleep and as long as you don’t topple off of your bike, you will be okay. On rollers, if you stop paying attention, you can lose control and fall off (…over and take out whatever is nearby). There is nothing keeping you on a set of rollers other than your own pedaling action and your balance. The first time you hop on a pair of rollers, it feels like riding on ice. Once you get the hang of it it’s not difficult at all, but you will still have the occasional brush with disaster (translation: not paying attention). You can get a fork stand to use with your rollers, but then what’s the point.
If you’re looking for a device to improve your pedaling motion and body position on the bike and to use for a quick warm up, then a set of rollers is for you. If you’re looking for a device to workout on when you can’t get on the road, then you want a traininer.
That’s my $ 0.02. I’d be very curious to hear what you think - especially those of you who have just recently tried/acquired a set of rollers.