Title 167

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>REI Austin Cycling Team</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="REI Austin Cycling Team"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="id164.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Race and Ride Reports"><U><B>Race and Ride Reports</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.gif"> <div> <A HREF="id164.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Race and Ride Reports"><U><IMG SRC="03b0e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="up" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A>   <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14">     <A HREF="id208.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Title 167"><U><IMG SRC="02f0e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A>  <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Title 167"><U><IMG SRC="0300e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="next" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <B>Rollers or Trainer</B></div> <div> <B>... Various Opinions</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Mark Reagan ....</div> <div> I am curently in a quandry of trying to decide on buying rollers or a </div> <div> Trainer for the offseason. I would really like to here from you to </div> <div> just get a feel for what other team members believe or use. </div> <div> Here is some of my reasoning.</div> <bR> <div> ROLLERS</div> <div> Positive: </div> <div> 1. Forces better ballance</div> <div> 2. forces better spining</div> <div> 3. I can log my miles and performance with my current computer on </div> <div> front wheel.</div> <div> 4. Forced to keep my mind on what i'm doing.</div> <bR> <div> Negative:</div> <bR> <div> 1. takes up more space if left out.</div> <div> 2. can't adjust resistance level.</div> <div> 3. Forced to keep my mind on what I'm doing.</div> <div> 4. Probably not good to use for team spin class. (I wouldn't know I </div> <div> have yet to go to a spin class and was not on team last winter.) </div> <bR> <bR> <div> TRAINER</div> <div> Positive:</div> <bR> <div> 1. Adjustable Resistance levels.</div> <div> 2. Could get unit that provides resistance on the rim not tire so </div> <div> they dont get square.</div> <div> 3. Dosn't take up much space if left out.</div> <div> 4. I can turn my mind off and just spin.</div> <div> 5. Good for team spin class.</div> <bR> <div> Negative:</div> <bR> <div> 1. would have to change computers to Log training results (unless </div> <div> signal for my wireless is strong enough to work on back.)</div> <div> 2. I can turn my mind off and just spin.</div> <bR> <div> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> Leader .....</div> <div> IF you can't get both, start with a trainer, as you will likely use it more. </div> <div> It will be better in</div> <div> the off season to do drills and longer spin workouts.</div> <bR> <div> Rollers are typically ridden for lower time intervals because it does take some</div> <div> more</div> <div> concentration. they are good to ride at higher intensities with consistent</div> <div> pace and build control</div> <div> and evenness in both legs. Rollers are a bit more of a luxury.</div> <bR> <div> I alternated last year (although I only used stationary trainers about once per</div> <div> week last year) </div> <div> Riding on the roads is even better. You can always get a light instead and use</div> <div> an REI trainer -</div> <div> last year they let us borrow them.</div> <bR> <div> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> James .....</div> <div> Buy both used.</div> <div> The rollers can help develop that "horsepower" by being able to turn a cadence of 100 plus and learn better bike handling skills (and why not have the oportunity to crash while in doors as well?) The trainer is good for building torque if you have a good resistance unit on the trainer. A trainer can also be used for developing horsepower at higher cadences as well. It is a lot easier to do "one-leggers" to improve the pedal stroke on a trainer than on rollers. I currently use a trainer as that is what I have. I have considered rollers, but my budget has considered otherwise. It is all about your training plan and your needs and budget. If you are about to have a child (which you are) then you may consier a trainer in case you have to hop off for a crisis real quick. Also, you do not want to have a wreck on the rollers and land on any toys or anything either. Rollers will probably make you a better cyclist overall, but using a trainer right will be very good as well. I have been using a trainer for nearly the entire fall sicne I have a little one at home and can not go out for long rides.</div> <div> -End of disertation-</div> <bR> <div> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> Jaime ......</div> <div> I agree with Leader and Sides. I'd start with a trainer, but get one that</div> <div> provides resistance on your tire - and use a spare wheel as a designated</div> <div> trainer wheel. Then, get some used rollers. Rollers are good for balance</div> <div> and cadence and technique, but they provide very little resistance - so your</div> <div> logged miles would be pretty fake.</div> <bR> <div> I use both throughout the year, but log 8 to 10 hours per week on the</div> <div> trainer and maybe 2 hours every two weeks on the rollers.</div> <bR> <div> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> Jeromie .....</div> <div> Here's my two cents worth:</div> <div> Spin class 2-3 times a week at Gold's Gym. I've done it for 2 years now and</div> <div> enjoy it every time. It's the best way that I've found to train indoors</div> <div> without going nuts. I can't stand riding indoors on the trainer or rollers</div> <div> by myself and the spin class creates a kind of "group" ride atmosphere that</div> <div> distracts you from the somewhat boring surroundings. I'm a firm believer in</div> <div> it and really suggest it to anyone wanting to improve their overall power</div> <div> and sprinting capabilities.</div> <bR> <div> I don't own a trainer but do have a set of rollers that I use occassionally</div> <div> before time trials. It tends to help me concentrate on riding a straight</div> <div> line if you know what I mean.</div> <div> Hope this helps but I'm sure you see there are many ways to train and get</div> <div> results.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>