Roller woes....

[Fab Foodie]

Back in the first lockdown I bought Tacx Antares and used them to get going on my bike again. Being unfit I found them pretty hard work. Once I was out on the road I stopped using them and was riding pretty well.

I've been out riding again and with the sudden chill winds decieded to get them out again - and I find them bloody impossible. I even tried them on my fixed and are huge amounts of effort to stay-upright. But then I see other people spinning along on them without too much issue. Whilst am not super fit am not so bad either. It's really a big effort to pedal hard enough to keep stable 15 mins and am knackered and there's no warm-up just full tilt. The rollers seem free enough.

Is it me?
Anybody else had this issue?
Anything I should be checking/doing differently?
Am I not good enough for rollers and should flog them?

Mildly miffed.....

 

[fossyant]

You need to big ring it and get a fairly big gear spinning. I have a set but prefer the Smart Turbo.

 

[roadrash]

what you need to do is set up a video camera, it wont help you at all but it will give the rest of us a laugh , sorry i have no constuctive advice to give.

 

[Milkfloat]

The more tense you are the harder it is. Have you tried starting off wedged in a doorway or a narrow corridor to help with your balance?

 

[matticus]

Have you tried starting off wedged in a doorway or a narrow corridor to help with your balance?

... and then move onto the rollers when you're feeling confident.

 

[Eric Olthwaite]

Had no end of trouble with my Rollers. Now all replaced with Bentleys. I'm much happier.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The more tense you are the harder it is. Have you tried starting off wedged in a doorway or a narrow corridor to help with your balance?

It's the sheer effort required that's mostly the issue...once I'm going like Billy-O balance is not too bad...but I can't start at full tilt, my heart will explode! I'm thinking a basic fluid trainer might suit my needs....

 

[I like Skol]

You need to be clipped in and ride hands free. Nice easy start and most importantly FILM IT!

 

[Milkfloat]

It's the sheer effort required that's mostly the issue...once I'm going like Billy-O balance is not too bad...but I can't start at full tilt, my heart will explode! I'm thinking a basic fluid trainer might suit my needs....

Can you define Billy-O? You should be able to go as low as 60 RPM quite easily.

 

[BurningLegs]

I've never used rollers but heard enough stories along these lines to put me off! 😝

 

[Fab Foodie]

Can you define Billy-O? You should be able to go as low as 60 RPM quite easily.

I can, but in a fairly high gear/effort.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Bollocks to it...I've just ordered a basic fluid Turbo from Wiggle, see how that goes....

 

[roadrash]

no video then

 

[I like Skol]

no video then

There is now....

 

[Fab Foodie]

no video then

I have one somewhere.....