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Conference noted::bicycle

Title:	Bicycling
Notice:	Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:	JAMIN::WASSER

Created:	Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	3214
Total number of notes:	31946

2850.0. "American Classic Hybrid Rollers" by VMSNET::R_OLSEN (Ron Olsen) Wed Sep 14 1994 14:02

    Hi All.
    
    I've read the assorted notes about rollers in this conference and am
    hoping someone out there has information about American classic hybrid
    4 drum rollers.
    
    I read about these hybrids, which have two small
    1" or 2" drums at the front and regular rear drums. I also recall at
    one time they made a set with 6 of these small drums, but the
    resistance was too great for most folks tastes.
    
    Has anyone tried these or have a set they can comment on. I'm
    interested in feed back on just how much resistance is in these
    rollers. My thought being that if it is too great, it might be better
    to go with rollers with adjustable resistance. The bulk of the roller
    notes leans toward Kreitlers with the headwind unit as being "THE"
    setup.
    
    Thanks for any updates...
    
    Ron

T.R Title User Personal
Name Date Lines

2850.1 I have a set, and I like them JEFF::jeff Jeff Schriesheim Sat Sep 17 1994 10:56 33

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2850.1	I have a set, and I like them	JEFF::jeff	Jeff Schriesheim	`Sat Sep 17 1994 10:56`	33
	I have a set of these which I bought last year and used over the winter. Usually I would spend 30 minute sessions 3 or 4 times a week on them, in conjunction with a heart monitor (to motivate me and provide guidance). My only other experience with rollers was 25 years ago so I can't compare them to other brands. The main reason I bought them was to minimize the "squirreliness" I remember about traditional rollers. I must say that even the hybrid rollers require attention to avoid riding off them, but they seem less sensitive than I remember other rollers to be. Riding off rollers is not something you want to do too often. The resistance has been adequate and I have found it easy to manage the workout load by shifting gears. You can start out with a easy warmup, then shift up and get the sweat flowing. One limitation is that you can never completely reduce the load, so spinning always has (at least a little) resistance. Not that dissimilar from riding on the road. Because the resistance is generated within the bearings, there's no fan to cool you off. I usually put a towel around my neck and use it when the sweat starts threatens to drip on the floor (I like to keep the living room from smelling like a locker room). Fan-resistance can be used to generate a cooling breeze ("headwind"), and these lack that feature. You could use a small electric fan to generate that effect if you want. The rollers are quite compact and easy to store - they don't require any folding. They seem well made, and are quiet to use as opposed to wind trainers. As the rollers as smaller diameter they also claim it is easier to mount and dismount than other rollers. I find that credible. I would buy them again. Jeff.

I have a set of these which I bought last year and used over the winter.
Usually I would spend 30 minute sessions 3 or 4 times a week on them, in
conjunction with a heart monitor (to motivate me and provide guidance).
My only other experience with rollers was 25 years ago so I can't compare
them to other brands.

The main reason I bought them was to minimize the "squirreliness" I remember
about traditional rollers. I must say that even the hybrid rollers require
attention to avoid riding off them, but they seem less sensitive than I
remember other rollers to be. Riding off rollers is not something you want
to do too often.

The resistance has been adequate and I have found it easy to manage the
workout load by shifting gears. You can start out with a easy warmup, then
shift up and get the sweat flowing. One limitation is that you can never
completely reduce the load, so spinning always has (at least a little)
resistance. Not that dissimilar from riding on the road.

Because the resistance is generated within the bearings, there's no fan to
cool you off. I usually put a towel around my neck and use it when the sweat
starts threatens to drip on the floor (I like to keep the living room from
smelling like a locker room). Fan-resistance can be used to generate a
cooling breeze ("headwind"), and these lack that feature. You could use
a small electric fan to generate that effect if you want.

The rollers are quite compact and easy to store - they don't require any
folding. They seem well made, and are quiet to use as opposed to wind trainers.
As the rollers as smaller diameter they also claim it is easier to mount and
dismount than other rollers. I find that credible.

I would buy them again.

Jeff.