How to Choose Best Bike Rollers or Bike Trainers to Cycle Indoors?
Want to Cycle in Winter or During Bad Weather – No Problem, Try Bike Rollers or more fancy Bike Trainers!
Cycling in late autumn, winter and early spring can be very difficult. Bike Rollers or more fancy Bike Trainers are the solution!
Weather conditions do not always allow for safe road traffic. Icy surface, low temperature or heavy rainfall do not create a comfortable atmosphere to conduct the planned training session, in such a situation it is worth turning to the wide range of bicycle trainers, which, in cooperation with your bike, perfectly simulate, sometimes even replacing riding outside. Choosing the right bike rollers for your own needs is not difficult. There are a few key differences between individual designs that should be noted.
Bike Rollers or Bike Trainers - When Is It Worth Trying Them?
Cycling in the Northern climate in late autumn, winter and early spring can be very difficult. Weather conditions do not always allow for safe road traffic. Icy surface, low temperature or heavy rainfall do not create a comfortable atmosphere for the planned training session. In such a situation, it is worth turning to the wide range of bike rollers, which, in cooperation with your bike, perfectly simulate, sometimes even replacing riding outside.
Which Bike Rollers or Bike Trainer to Choose?
Choosing the right bike rollers for your own needs is not difficult. There are a few key differences between individual designs that should be noted. Another criterion for choosing a bike rollers is, of course, the price.
Types of Bike Rollers / Bike Trainers:
Roller Trainers
They belong to the most popular models. Simple in design and intuitive to use, they will perfectly improve your body balance on the bike. The specifics of skating requires getting used to, it will repay you with reliability and ease of use. In this category we can find, among others the popular:
- Elite Quick Motion model,
- Elite Arion Mag 3 with a frame made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide,
- Elite Nero equipped with magnetic resistance and parabolic rollers mounted on a floating frame.
The main advantage of the roller is complete compatibility with any type of bicycle and wheel size.
Simple design that best simulates cycling. It requires practice and concentration from the user – the idea behind it is simple: you put your bike on the moving rollers and jump on and pedal! Perfect for both road cyclists and mountaineers. This solution is very often chosen by competitors for warm-up before the start. Does the roller trainer have disadvantages? The biggest one is the lack of much resistance to simulate steep climbs. Only the gear ratios of the two-wheeler are available for the cyclist. It’s a very popular choice of bike rollers.
You can have a look at our selection of best bike rollers here.
Magnetic Trainer
This is a solution where the bike is securely mounted on a special frame. The bike stands steadily, so you don’t have to worry about falling down, as is the case with a roller trainer. The magnets are responsible for the possibility of adjusting the resistance, and their setting can be controlled with a convenient shifter or lever. In this category, you will find budget solutions that will allow you to do a solid workout at home. More advanced solution for bike rollers.
Thrust Roller Trainers
A separate category consists of trainers with a thrust roller. The frame of the device holds the bike stably in place, and the resistance is generated by a resistance torus pressed against the rear wheel. For years, customers have been eagerly choosing the Elite offer here, Qubo fluid with the valued hydraulic resistance, or the Tacx offer with the Busido, Vortex, Genius and Ironman models. These modern devices not only provide extensive training functions. Another great type of bike rollers.
Electronic or Hydraulic Trainers
This is the most advanced group of bicycle trainers. As you might guess, such innovative solutions are also the most expensive. Installation of the bike is only possible by completely removing the rear wheel and mounting the bike on a special frame in which a compatible cassette is mounted. These types of products allow for an extremely precise change of resistance and a smooth ride. An additional, undeniable advantage of this type of solutions is very advanced communication with other devices, such as. tablet, laptop or smartphone. Definitely the most advanced type of bike rollers.
Rear Wheel Replacement Trainers
Recently, a new category of bike rollers – like devices has emerged on the market – trainers replacing the rear wheel of a bicycle. The undeniable advantages of this solution are extremely quiet operation and much better control over the generated resistance / power. Number one is the Elite Turno model. It has become almost synonymous with quiet and smooth work. It is offered in versions for each type of bicycle and in various standards of axle mounting. The multimedia version of this popular model is Real B +, which offers all the known functions from models with a roller, and also works with an extensive application for analyzing training progress.
Now You Can Cycle at Home
Training at home does not have to be done using specialized equipment for professionals. You can also use your own bike! How? Bike rollers or any other above mentioned type of more advanced bike trainers will make it possible. Any device that immobilizes the vehicle, thus allowing you to operate it stationary will do. Just like the standard exercise bikes found in gyms and fitness clubs.
Why should you be interested in bike rollers? Because it will allow you to train all year round! You don’t have to travel many kilometers in snow or heavy rain. You can always stay at home and enjoy the physical activity provided by the trainers. Their functionality is really wide, as you will find out by analyzing the offer of our store.
Bike Rollers / Bike Trainers - Is It Worth Buying Them?
These types of devices are the best solution when you want to exercise at home on your own bike. Thanks to their design and method of manufacture, bicycle trainers keep the vehicle in a stable, safe position, while ensuring the generation of appropriate resistance. This translates into activation of the leg muscles. Regular training with the use of a trainer therefore guarantees significant strengthening of the lower limbs. The endurance and condition of the body is also improved. Not to mention the possibility of shedding unnecessary kilograms.
Effort generated this way may turn out to be a perfect complement to the basic training plan, carried out in the open air. It will also be a good solution in the autumn and winter period, when unfavorable weather conditions do not allow for classic cycling madness.
Especially when you decide on a good quality product.
Which Bike Trainer To Choose? What To Look For?
Considerable product differentiation allows you to choose a device that will meet your requirements and needs in every respect. Regardless of whether you deal with cycling professionally or maybe it is just (and up to) a way for you to spend your free time. You can find bike rollers or more advanced bike trainers for every budget and every skillset.
Do you care not only about the stable support of the bike, but also about many additional functions, such as, for example, a Bluetooth connection? No problem – the Elite bike trainer that can do that. In addition to supporting wireless technology, it is compatible with the most important operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows, OS X) and dedicated training applications. This allows you to connect the trainer with a computer – for example, to gain access to your results and specific training parameters.
If you’re on the other hand looking for something super simple – a basic model of bike rollers will do. The reason why we mention smart devices, like the Elite one, is that smart trainer will help you facilitate the planning of activities, as well as the introduction of any changes when the performance is not satisfactory.
What Should You Be Looking at When Buying Bike Rollers or More Advanced Bike Trainer?
Among other things, the power provided by the devices at specific speeds, measurement and configuration options (e.g. simulation of the slope of the ground), available operating modes (manual and automatic), as well as the dimensions, weight of the equipment and the type of bikes for which they were adapted. Also, how are you going to put into your house and where are you going to use i.e. is there enough space around you.
Bored While Cycling at Home With Bike Rollers?
No problem! We realize that waving your legs, in one place for an hour, or longer, can be boring and discourage you from using the bike rollers or trainer. We also know that few cyclists can afford to spend several thousand to buy an interactive, electronic trainer. So how do you not die of boredom while training indoors? There are proven patents for this.
The simplest and most popular solution is to place the trainer close to the TV or with a good view of the laptop. You switch on an interesting program, a good movie or your favorite series, and the legs are turned by themselves. You can also buy a special tablet holder and view information on the Internet while driving. Music lovers can shoot to the beat of their favorite music, creating a playlist to suit their cadence. You can also catch up on reading and engage in engaging reading, which will make the training very quick.
You Can Also Use Popular Virtual Training Applications
The most famous is by far the Zwift. Be careful, the virtual cycling world is really addictive! You can test your abilities on routes that require races, undergo murderous training, complete the most difficult, iconic climbs in the world, such as Alpe d’Huez, or make a light coffee ride – all within your own four walls. How does Zwift work? The platform takes data from one of the sensors connected to the computer – from the basic speed and cadence sensor to the more advanced ones of the smart trainers – and uses it to power your virtual rider. Your character will do exactly what you do – speeding up, the cyclist on the screen will also thicken your movements.
Virtual training platforms allow you to compete with other users, which is a great motivator for even stronger training. You are also able to diversify your winter training, for example climbing the legendary French Alpe’d Huez or the Italian Stelvio. The trainer will adjust the resistance itself and display the route covered on the mobile device, taking into account your speed. This is a way to get bored and reach the desired peaks and visit the iconic cycling spots without leaving your home!
They will enrich the ride with extensive options of sports competition in virtual reality, simulation of the slope of the route, make the training more attractive with the option of covering known race routes on DVD recordings and allow you to track all the necessary training parameters remotely on a computer, tablet or smartphone. It is worth considering a special training tire, which will withstand wear much better and reduce noise and vibration generated. The tire under the Schwalbe Insider trainer can help.
How to Store Your Bike Rollers or Bike Trainer?
Due to its small dimensions and the possibility of folding, bike rollers or bike trainer will easily fit in a wardrobe, basement or garage. Even in a very small apartment, you will certainly find some space for it in the corner. The average trainer weighs a few kilograms, so you can easily move it to a safe place when it is no longer needed on a daily basis. To transport or store the trainer, you can buy a dedicated bag that will protect the equipment during transport or protect it from dust when the trainer is not used, waiting for the fall and winter season.
Ready to continue cycling even when it’s terrible outside?