Bicycle Rollers

From Opensprints

Bicycle rollers are a type of bicycle trainer which makes it possible to ride a bicycle indoors without moving forward. However, unlike other types of bicycle trainers, rollers do not attach to the bicycle frame, and the rider must balance him or herself on the rollers while training. Bicycle rollers normally consist of three cylinders, drums, or "rollers" (two for the rear wheel and one for the front), on top of which the bicycle rides. A belt connects one of the rear rollers to the front roller, causing the front wheel of the bicycle to spin when the bicycle is pedaled. The spacing of bicycle rollers can usually be adjusted to match the bicycle's wheelbase. Generally, the front roller is adjusted to be slightly ahead of the hub of the front wheel.

Because most people don't know how to balance on rollers, especially when drunk, using fork stands is recommended for OpenSprints.

[edit] Materials

[edit] PVC

Pros: Slightly quieter, will not leave alloy on tires.

Cons: Not for outdoor use.

Available in many colors

[edit] Alloy

Pros: Outdoor use.

Cons: Slightly louder.

[edit] Kreitler Goldsprints Rollers: OpenSprints Edition

Kreitler OpenSprints Edition Goldsprints Rollers

Kreitler OpenSprints Edition Goldsprints Rollers

Kreitler OpenSprints Edition Goldsprints Rollers compacted

pre-installed magnets and sensor enclosures are built into the rails.

About

In collaboration with OpenSprints LLC, 42BELOW Vodka, and Salt City Sprints LLC; Kreitler (one of the name brands in rollers) is the first manufacturer to produce a commercial goldsprints specific roller system. Starting September 28th, 2009 they can be ordered through opensprints.com with an MSRP of $995 (dealers and event promoters contact sales@opensprints.com for special pricing), here are the highlights:

• Compact and easy to transport, you no longer need a roller platform or a pickup truck to move them.
• Rollers interlock for added stability, if you bought two kits you could have four rollers interlocked.
• Interlocking cross-members bolt onto the fork stands for transport.
• Magnets are pre-installed.
• OpenSprints Sensor board enclosures are built into the rail.

[edit] Custom

[edit] Calgary Bike Messenger Association

Calgary BMA Custom Rollers

Calgary BMA Custom Rollers

Calgary BMA Custom Rollers

[edit] Rollers

We are using Kreitler Alloy 2.25” diameter Alloy Drums with Alloy End Caps with custom made roller frames by Craig Sinclair, the frames were designed in a way so we do not have to lug plywood sheets around.. even with a rider that is over 250lbs the rollers do not move. The fork mount will slide on the roller frame to adjust to different bike frame sizes and then locks in place but, can be removed for moving or storage.

The steel was all standard sections, mostly 2X1 inch tubes. The fork mount was a 2X2 inch square section vertical with a 2X1 inch cross member for the fork mount. It's all light gauge or what's commonly referred to as "furniture weight" steel sections which is more than adequate for these devices. They are pretty light, you could carry one in each hand without too much difficulty. They are the width of a Kreitler roller drum and the length of a bike. While they are adjustable for length (wheel base) this version has no allowance for vertical adjustment for smaller wheeled bikes. We didn't need that because every bike we planned on using would have standard 700c wheels.

[edit] Roller sensor

In two of the photos you can see the white sensor box.. its tucked low enough on the frame that it can't be stepped on and is in a place that is safe. The magnet is actually inside the roller... that's right.. we drilled holes right in the brand new Kreitler drums and glued a magnet in..( about the size of a eraser on the end of a pencil ) .. you can see where the black tape is on the roller.. that's where the magnet is .. we added the tape as extra measure as while testing this setup on cheaper rollers the glue was not dry yet and the magnet came out flying away at a million miles a hour!.. we never found it again .. so we keep the tape as extra measure now.

[edit] Commercial Manufacturers

[edit] Nashbar, Performance Bike & Elite

We aren't sure who makes these rollers, but clearly they get bought and then re-sold under various names.

Nashbar Reduced Radius Rollers

Travel Trac Technique Pro Alloy Rollers

Travel Trac Technique Pro Alloy Rollers: Folded

Nashbar Parabolic Rollers

Nashbar Parabolic Rollers: Folded

Elite Parabolic Rollers

Elite Parabolic Rollers

Elite V-Arion Parabolic Rollers aka Travel Trac Technique Inertial Rollers

Elite V-Arion Parabolic Rollers: Scale

Elite V-Arion Parabolic Rollers: Folded

• The Travel Trac Technique PRO Alloy Rollers are 126x48x12 cm (67cm long folded) and weigh 6.3 kg
• The Nashbar Reduced Radius Rollers are 127x48x12 cm and weigh 8.4 kg
• The Nashbar Parabolic Rollers are 130x48x15 cm (68cm folded) and weigh 8.3 kg

[edit] Kreitler

Kreitler 3" Alloy Rollers

Kreitler 3" Challenger Rollers

Kreitler Fork Stand

Custom Kreitler Fork Stand made for NYC GoldSprints

About

For almost 40 years, Kreitler has been the industry standard for high quality cycling rollers. Al Kreitler, the founder of Kreitler Rollers, produced them in his workshop for decades until his passing in 2001, at which time Kreitler Roller production was moved under our roof here at Mountain Racing Products. Since 2001 we have been producing Kreitler Rollers with the same dedication to performance and quality as Al did himself. We like to make Al proud, wherever he may be. If you’re wondering why the Yorkshire Terrier is part of the Kreitler logo, it’s because Al was rarely seen without the companionship of his Yorkie named “Killer”, who would sit in the top of Al’s trademark overalls.

Alloy 3.0 Rollers

Approximately 40% more resistance compared to the 4.5 rollers, offering the best combination of resistance, cost, and portability. 3.0” x 15” Alloy Drums with Alloy End Caps

Challenger 3.0 Rollers

Like the Alloy 3.0’s, but with Poly end caps for a more economical option.

[edit] Tacx

Tacx Fork Stand

Tacx SportTrack Roller

Tacx Antares

Tacx Antares

Tacx Antares: Folded

[edit] Minoura

Minoura Fork Stand

Minoura AC-Pro

Minoura AC-Pro: Folded

Minoura Advance

Minoura Advance: Scale

Minoura Advance: Folded

Minoura Action MagRoller

Minoura Action MagRoller: Folded & Bag

Minoura Action MagRoller: Folded

Minoura Action MagRoller PVC

[edit] SportCrafters & Saris

SportCrafters sells them to Saris.

SportCrafters Fork Stand	SportCrafters ZRO Aluminum Roller	SportCrafters ZRO Aluminum Roller: Folded	SportCrafters ZRO PVC Roller
SportCrafters ZRO PVC Roller: Folded

CycleOps Fork Stand	Saris CycleOps Aluminum Rollers	Saris CycleOps Aluminum Rollers	Saris CycleOps Aluminum Rollers
Saris CycleOps Aluminum Rollers	Saris CycleOps Aluminum Rollers

[edit] TruTrainer

TruTrainer Rollers

• The rollers weigh 40-45 lbs depending on options
• Overall dimensions are 6.57 x 19.09 x 54.39 inches
• Folded dimensions are 9.50 x 19.09 x 28.30 inches
• We currently do not offer a fork stand

[edit] ZZZing

ZZZing Rollers

ZZZing Rollers: Folded

ZZZing Rollers: Adjustment

[edit] Rocking Rollers & E-Motion Rollers

Rocking Rollers

[edit] McLain Cycle

MCLAIN Precision Cycle Training Rollers.

MCLAIN Precision Cycle Training Rollers

• High Quality Precision sealed bearings.
• Fits Road, Mountain, and BMX Bicycles.
• 4 1/2" x 16" PVC Drums 5/8" steel axles.
• Heavy gauge, epoxy powder coated rails.
• Easily adjustable from 37" - 44 1/2" wheelbase.
• Drums are precision lathe turned after assembly to assure a smooth ride.
• Made in the USA.
• Five year guarantee on all components.
• Optional resistance unit and front fork support.

[edit] Sensor Board Mounting Measurements

* The channel is at the end of the roller, and the tension band runs through it. We mount the magnet for the revolution sensor in the channel.

[edit] Magnets

This 4.5" Kreitler roller has a magnet hot glued into the grove where a belt would go and then strapped down with a zip tie.

The roller sensor boards need a magnet to pass by them.

[edit] References

• Wikipedia's Bicycle Rollers