Rollers/Turbo trainers...

Fender76

As it is becoming increasingly difficult to get out training mid week what with it being pitch black by the time i get home from work, I am thinking of getting a set of rollers or a turbo trainer... What are the differences...?
I know some people who love them and use them regularly and some people who hate them...
What would you all suggest?
Thanks in advance....

tunney

Fender76

Hmmm... a red X.

Is that code for something...?

07Lapierre

Fender76 wrote: »

As it is becoming increasingly difficult to get out training mid week what with it being pitch black by the time i get home from work, I am thinking of getting a set of rollers or a turbo trainer... What are the differences...?
I know some people who love them and use them regularly and some people who hate them...
What would you all suggest?
Thanks in advance....

You'll find loads of info if you search for "rollers" or "turbo Trainers"

IMHO, there's no difference..just depends how much PAIN and SWEAT you can take! get some lights/warm cloths and get out on the road...more fun.

bcmf

Briefly- most/some Turbos have the advantage of adjusting the resistance so you can vary your workload. Turbo's require little in the way of concentration and mind numbing boredom rapidly sets in.
Rollers are excellent for developing balance pedaling technique and usually have no adjustable resistance. HOWEVER on the rollers- you stop pedalling you very quickly come to a halt and fall over. Rollers have an acquired way of getting on and starting. Once you get the hang of rollers intense boredom sets in - you take your eye of the rollers and fall off them like a fool.

DirkVoodoo

There was a thread a week or two ago that covered most of it, bcmf covered the important points though.

I would go for a turbo myself, each one is just as boring and not as good as being on the road, but on the rollers it can be easier to just switch off and count the minutes (slowly) go by.

Get some good box sets of a TV show or a decent itunes playlist.

xz

I have both, got a turbo very recently, due to an ankle injury (afraid to get on the rollers with it). I find them to be as boring as each other, but great for training in different ways, basically exactly what bcmf said. Although you can get resistence units for rollers, or specific (freemotion) rollers for sprint drills etc. Rollers can take a little getting used to, whereas once you attach your bike to a turbo, you are ready to go.
Either way, indoor training is boring, the best is just to get out there.
Personally, of the two, I dont really have a preference, as there are different drills you can do on each, but the rollers do feel more natural, whereas the turbo just turns your bike into an exercise bike.

For ease of use, go for rollers, and definitely use your credit card here http://www.thesufferfest.com/ , they charge aprrox €8.50 for each downloadable video, they currently have 4, with another on the way.
As for rollers, just stick on your headphones and crank up the volume. (for first time use, set them up in a doorway)