Tech Talk- My Best Cycling Investment

by Greg Pelican  Bethel Cycle  December 12, 2007

 

Dollar for dollar I can’t beat the value of the Kreitler rollers I purchased in 1991.  After getting some good advice from veteran roadies I bought some Kreitler rollers from Bethel Cycle long before I bought the shop!  I think I paid about $250 which amortized over seventeen years is less than $15 per year.

But lets ignore the modest investment, there is no tool that has taught me more about cycling nor has stood the test of time.  In fact after countless thousands of dollars spent on bikes, wheels and all kinds of various gear, the rollers are the only thing I still own that dates back to the days when I started bike racing.

Unlike a trainer that locks your rear wheel into place and requires no balance, with rollers you must actually ride your bike perched on rotating drums.  This requires excellent balance and smooth pedaling technique.

My first few times on rollers were a humbling experience.  Kind of like riding a bike without training wheels for the first time.  And rollers will teach you ten times more about your spin than you could ever hope to learn from CompuTrainer’s Spinscan.  If you pedal squares your bike wheel slides left and right with each stroke and you may even find yourself lying on the carpet next to the coffee table.

When you learn to pedal smoothly the bike stays centered on the rollers and just floats.  It’s a cool sensation.  It’s best to have a Zen, relaxed focus, approach on the rollers.  If you try too hard you tense up and fight the rollers.  Of course that is true with your bike on the road as well, except the rollers amplify the balance factor and exaggerate poor technique.  Rollers are the perfect tool for analytical types who tend to over-think physical motion of the body (Zen and the Art of Archery would be a good read as well).

After warming up on the rollers I feel like I can take on any bike handling issue I’m faced with on the road.  Racing in the rain is a piece of cake.  One thing the rollers have clearly taught me is what I call the 15 minute rule.  It takes me about 15 minutes before my muscles loosen up, until I relax, and spin smoothly.  After learning this “rollers lesson” I don’t even consider doing intervals or a running race without 15 minutes of very easy exercise.

In 17 years I never had to do anything to the rollers.  They kind of have a glossy sheen in the center on the aluminum drum from the tire wear.  But my rollers are nothing compared to local cycling legend Francois Mertens’ rollers.  I was lucky enough to live close to Francois and we would just naturally hook up together on the road.  Francois is 70+ these days, but in the 1950’s he won almost every major race in the United States from National Championships in road, track and time trials.  He even set the US record for the 100 mile time trial.  Francois was inducted to the Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2000.  One day I was over Francois’ house and he showed be some rollers that he had from his youth growing up in Belgium, that must have been 50 years old.  They were worn smooth from countless miles.  He said he still rides them. 

This legend who could still crush guys half his age has the most beautiful and supple spin.  That’s enough for me.  Trainers and big gear power have there place, but the trick is to blend strength with balance and a smooth flowing spin.  Don’t overlook rollers if you want to improve your spin and speed.

For more info on rollers contact Greg Pelican
email greg@bethelcycle.com or call 203 792-4640

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