Yes, that's right, 'yet another' set of home made motion rollers...A few months ago when it was raining and I didn't get out for my morning cycle (I melt if I get wet), I popped down to the LBS and purchased a set rollers. As I mentioned in a previous post, I found them quite difficult to use the first time especially after 3 glasses of chardonnay!!! I did however master them and decided to 'upgrade' them to the sliding ones as seen on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=AU&hl=en-GB&v=xaYDZ-RSOTA&feature=related.
I started off by drilling a hole through each of the 6 legs and fitting an axle with skate board wheels to each end. The skateboard wheels though are quite expensive ($50 set of 4 and I needed 6). After further thought, I decided to get some inexpensive chinese bearings (30mm) from the local bearing shop and fit them on the side roller rails. The bearings were less than $3 each. All other items came from Bunnings which included 10mm nuts, bolts and washers, aluminium angle (20mmx25mm), wood for the frame (20mmx70mm) and elastic rope to keep the rollers centred.
Wooden frame with aluminium angle as tracks for bearing to roll along...
Bearings bolted to side rails of rollers...
I also fitted 4 guide bearings...1 to each corner to keep the rollers tracking within the frame.
Elastic rope to centre the rollers...
I did fit 2 skateboard wheels to the front roller to prevent the front wheel slipping off, but this is not necessary. Once one is familiar with using rollers, the front wheel doesn't come near the edge anyway. I have since added 6 rubber feet to base to protect floor and allow it to sit better on uneven sufaces.
These sliding version of rollers are definitely more versatile to use and one can get out of the saddle much easier. The ability of the rollers to move forward and back absorbs the inertia created by the pedalling force and give a much nicer ride than the original version.
It's raining again today so will get on the motion rollers and do a few kms inside with the fan creating a stiff headwind...and bike wont even get dirty...
Emma R.
These sliding version of rollers are definitely more versatile to use and one can get out of the saddle much easier. The ability of the rollers to move forward and back absorbs the inertia created by the pedalling force and give a much nicer ride than the original version.
It's raining again today so will get on the motion rollers and do a few kms inside with the fan creating a stiff headwind...and bike wont even get dirty...
Emma R.
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