CycleOps Roller

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
One of the reviews posted here talks about the excessive noise of these rollers. I had the same issue with mine. I contacted Cycle Ops, sent them an electronic file of the noise I experienced and they promptly sent me a replacement. The replacement is very quiet. (How often have you had customer service like this? They didn't even require me to send mine in first! They provided a return shipping label and I simply put the old ones into the shipping box for return! Fantastic!) I have no issue with the noise of these new rollers, whatsoever.

Living in the midwest, there are several days throughout the year that I can't ride outdoors. I find this to be an excellent alternative to outdoor riding. It forces me to ride with proper technique 100% of the time. If I loose focus, I am slipping off the rollers in a heartbeat. If you are looking for mind numbing exercise, I would recommend one of the mag or fluid trainers that holds your bike stationary. If you are looking for an indoor trainer that will improve your riding technique while giving you a good aerobic workout, these are the hookup! I find my road riding will be as straight as an arrow after spending time on the rollers. I do a lot of group riding/training with drafting. This really helps keep a smooth train going for these rides. Also, my pedal cadence is very consistent, rotating the pedals very smoothly full circle. These rollers (aluminum model) are very durable and fold up for easy storage.

Strengths:
Quiet, build up good endurance and aids your pedaling/riding technique more than other trainers.

Weaknesses:
Can be a little tricky getting onto your bike when on these rollers as your bike is now about 5" higher than normal and no really good step provided to mount your bike from.

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Richardson Bike Mart

Favorite Ride:
saturday night to the bars

Bike Setup:
Tiemeyer - Track.

Summary:
most of these people that wrote reviews have never been on any other rollers, which explains why they gave good reviews. CycleOps rollers are not worth buying if you want something worth keeping. Over a 100 cadence they start producing way to much noise and vibration. With CycleOps, my entire apartment started to vibrate. If you want rollers, which I think is the best indoor workout (second to an indoor velodrome)go with Kreitler. A much smoother roller and worth the extra cash if you are buying new. If not, I got mine off ebay for $75 less than i payed for the CycleOps rollers.

Strengths:
nothing really.

Weaknesses:
poorly made. over priced. loud at a high cadence.

Similar Products Used:
Kreitler Challenger.

Price Paid:  $239.00 at Dales bike shop

Favorite Ride:
out side on bike trail

Summary:
In the winter I had to ride on a stationary hyd. trainer. Riding on the rollers offers a much better work out. You have to be better at balancing than you do riding outside. Their seems to be a little more resistance riding on rollers.

Strengths:
sprints

Weaknesses:
hills

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Richardson Bike Mart

Favorite Ride:
Joe Pool Lake Route

Bike Setup:
Specialized Allez Comp (dura ace / ksyrium) - Quattro Assi Rocket (TT Bike)

Summary:
Ummmm, what can I really say except that I am absolutly satisfied so far. I have two trainers (one fluid and one wind) and neither were doing it for me. They were loud and boring. So I made the switch.

This isnt my first set of rollers, but it is my first set of aluminum rollers. I must say they are nothing short of exactly what i needed to liven up my winter.

The difference between these and my trainers is they make it easy to smooth out my pedal stroke and improve my balance. Regular trainers hold you upright, so you basically dont have to do any work aside from pedaling, plus rollers force you to work on form and keep your muscles in tune for what you need them for. I find myself getting bored on trainers and sitting up (no hands) and looking around and not really paying attention to the training aspect.

Anyway, I love them and use them a few times a week, and the best part - I LOOK FORWARD TO INDOOR TRAINING NOW!

Strengths:
Ease of setup (comes assembled, just unfold and roll) / The 3.25 inch drums provide enough resistance at any speed without the need for a headwind unit. / Much quieter than PVC

Weaknesses:
I have to say price (to me that is the same for any and all rollers) for what the $250 actually gets you, I mean its 3 drums and two rails...

Similar Products Used:
Nashbar PVC (my first ones when I was a poor college kid)

Price Paid:  $260.00 at Binhams Cyclery

Bike Setup:
Trek 2200, ultegra

Summary:
This is for the Al rollers, not the PVC. These are my first rollers. I wanted add some variety for my winter training. All components seem to be a good quality. I have only put about 100 miles on them so far. They are smooth, very quiet, and easy to use. A few tips: first, in order to get going, clip in one foot, and begin pedaling. Once you have the rollers turning, gently move on to the bike and begin pedaling with other leg. Second, hold bars straight. When you need to make a correction, "feel" as if you are riding with no hands. Just use the body to make very small corrections.

Strengths:
Comes fully assembled. Just unfold, and ride. No tools required to adjust rollers to fit bike.

Weaknesses:
Price, all of these type products seem to be overpriced for what they are.