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From: wagner@uw-june (Dave Wagner)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Rollers vs. Wind Trainers
Message-ID: <83@uw-june>
Date: Thu, 21-Feb-85 04:22:36 EST
Article-I.D.: uw-june.83
Posted: Thu Feb 21 04:22:36 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 26-Feb-85 04:06:03 EST
Organization: U of Washington Computer Science
Lines: 57


I'm posting this article in response to a question about adding resistance
to rollers.  (I'm sure we have the makings of a good argument here!)

Now, rollers do have the following advantages:
	1.  They develop your sense of balance.
	2.  They smooth out your pedal stroke (but see #2 below).
	3.  You can't rest while riding rollers, hence you get a hell of a
	    workout!
	4.  Set-up time is nil.
	5.  Good rollers are quiet.
However, in my opinion, rollers also have the following disadvantages:
	1.  Load does not increase realistically will speed.
	    (Note: certain rollers, e.g. Kreitler, have add-on blower units
	    to remedy this problem.  But this is a very expensive set-up.)
	2.  In order to avoid bouncing, your foot has to slow down as it
	    reaches the bottom of the pedal stroke.  Although this makes the
	    roller ride feel smooth, it is unnatural for road riding.
	3.  Rollers (good ones) are expensive!

Now let's consider wind trainers:
	1.  Wind trainers provide a realistic load curve.
	2.  Wind trainers are more stable than rollers.
	3.  You can really jam down on the pedals on a wind trainer!
	4.  You can rest on a wind trainer.
	5.  Wind trainers are cheap compared to good rollers.
On the minus side:
	1.  Wind trainers are noisy (like a jet engine!)
	2.  Wind trainers do nothing for you balance or style.
	3.  Set-up can be a hassle (although this is not a problem if
	    the bike stays on it all winter long).

There you have it, the pros and cons, as objectively as I can lay them out.
Now for my subjective opinions.

I have owned and ridden a variety of both types of devices.  Although I like
the smooth feel of good (read: expensive) rollers, I am not satisfied with
the load they provide.  (I once owned a pair of el-cheapo rollers, and believe
me, if you can't affort good rollers, don't even bother!)  Recently, I 
purchased a Saturae wind trainer.  What a workout!  Even though I considered
myself to be in pretty good condition, I was quickly able to shoot my pulse
up to the red zone (~180, which is slightly over 100% of my maximal recommended
heart rate)!  Needless to say, I don't do that very often, but it's nice to
know that I'll have to get a whole lot stronger before I find it "too easy"!

And the noise?  Well, I just crank up some Genesis @ 110dB on the ol' stereo
and I hardly even notice it!

Let's hear some other opinions!!


			Dave Wagner
			University of Washington Comp Sci Department
			wagner@{uw-june.arpa|washington.arpa}
			{ihnp4|decvax}!uw-beaver!uw-june!wagner

"Oh no!  I've got . . . . .   HAPPY FEET!"