The roller challenge was a true learning experience for the staff and testers alike. While many of us have ridden any number of rollers, we all had our likes and dislikes coming into the test. Some liked authentic road feel, some liked high resistance, while others liked the low resistance for high leg speed workouts. Although no one pair offered everything, an abundance of options exists in the roller marketplace.

A larger diameter roller drum keeps the both the tire compression and the resistance low, resulting in the type of rollers for riders who like to use them for easy rides or working on their spin, something they can get on and spin at 120+ without pushing 250+ watts. Nothing wrong with that, just keep the drum size in mind when shopping for rollers.

Conversely, a smaller diameter roller drum will comparatively increase the resistance, allowing riders to perform "traditional" workouts on the rollers, e.g. Threshold or VO2max sessions. Again nothing wrong with high resistance, keep it in mind when shopping.

A flywheel is another way to add some resistance, as featured on the InsideRide E-Motion rollers, TruTrainer Premium Bicycle Rollers and the Kreitler Challenger w/the Flywheel attachment. (The flywheel is usable on any Kreitler Rollers) A flywheel adds some resistance but also creates an inertial load (more on that in a later) and in general, a flywheel is not an adjustable form of resistance.

Resistance can also found on InsideRide E-Motion rollers and the SportCrafter ZRO Aluminum rollers, both use a magnetic resistance unit. The unit increases resistance by moving magnets closer together, while it works well and is generally adjustable; some inertial load is lost with this application of resistance.

A fan or wind unit is another option for adding resistance, but the noise created is a significant disadvantage with this method. Kreitler's version "channels" the noise and wind to allow it to be pointed right at the rider and while this does help in cooling the rider, it can be quite noisy. The fan does feature an adjustable opening to allow more or less airflow, thus creating more or less resistance.

Changing gears to the final option to adjust resistance, unfortunately not always available to the track cyclist. Simply changing to an easier gear can often make life a little easier for you!

Elite Parabolic:

These rollers do not have any resistance adjustment.

InsideRide E-Motion:

A lot of resistance options with these rollers! The first is simple, with or without the flywheel, although InsideRide does not recommend you ride without the flywheel, you certainly can.

Without the flywheel makes the rollers significantly easier (less resistance) while using the flywheel increases the inertial load and resistance. With the flywheel operational, you can move the key-fob sized magnet closer to the flywheel creating more resistance, making them absolutely the hardest rollers we tested.

Several of our track-specific riders commented that the rollers are less than optimal for track bike riding since the riders could not shift down to make them easier, none of our testers could not hold 30 mph with full resistance. Very hard!

The resistance on these rollers is adjustable while you are riding, just not by the rider! If you have a volunteer, it is easy to adjust with a rider on the rollers.

Kreitler Roller:

Kreitler offers a couple of options for resistance. The nice thing with Kreitler is that several of the options are interchangable! You can also combine them for the ride/feel that you like.

Kreitler has three distinct drum sizes. We tested the large and medium drums. The "Poly-Lyte" medium drums did offer more reistance than the larger "Chalenger" drums. We did not test the "Dyno-Myte" rollers, though we are told the are significantly (more resistance).

The flywheel option adds resistance and ride qualities similar to the TruTrainer rollers.

You can also add the "Killer Kool Wind" option to these rollers. This unit provides you with many different resistance settings based on how much air you let in. By simply openning a door on the side, more air hits the fan and the resistance goes up. As resistance and speed go up, so does the noise level. The unit is designed to aim the air flow right at your face, which is good for rider cooling. The fan does have two grooves on the pulley. The faster the fan goes, the more resistance!

All of these options are configurable very quickly, but not while riding. You can have a friend adjust the door on the wind unit, but adding or removing the options is not possible in motion.

SportCrafters ZRO Aluminum:

At first look, we were skeptical. This magnetic unit doesn't even touch the rollers. After giving it a try, we found it does work very well. It adds no extra noise and does add significant resistance.

Much like the InsideRide E-Motion Rollers and the Killer Kool Wind unit, this unit can be adjusted while riding, just not by the rider.

TruTrainer Premium Bicycle Rollers:

In their 'stock' configuration, the TruTrainer Premium Bicycle Rollers do not provide you any resistance options. The internal flywheel is is always engaged. Our test set of rollers came with the "Flywheel Quick Release Option". It takes about 30 seconds, to engage or disengage the flywheel with this option.

With the flywheel engaged, these rollers closely mimic the feel of riding on the road. On a road bike, you can change gears to make things easier or harder.

With the flywheel engaged, you might find these rollers a little tough on a track bike.

ZZZing Portable Rollers:

These rollers do not have any resistance adjustment.

Resistance Units

By rotating the grey tab closer to the flywheel, you can add significant resistance to the InsideRide E-Motion Rollers	The SportCrafters ZRO Aluminum has 5 settings to add magnetic resistance	The TruTrainer Premium Bicycle Rollers have an optional flywheel release feature.  Loosen 2 x 6mm bolts and the rollers are free- spinning
This is the Kreitler Flywheel option, compatible on all Kreitler Rollers	The "Killer Headwind Unit" with the door closed, minimal resistance	With the door wide open, it earns it's name "Killer".

• InsideRide E-Motion Power Calculator
• Kreitler's Quick Reference
• Kreitler's Detail Data
• TruTrainers Road vs Rollers Comparison