If you are familiar with cycling, you are probably familiar with the training device called ‘rollers’. Rollers are a very simple training aid consisting of three aluminum or plastic drums which the rider can only maintain their balance while riding. If they cyclist stops pedaling, they fall over. This might sound a bit dangerous and unnerving to learn, but if you can master riding rollers, not only will you get a physical workout, your handling and pedaling efficiency will greatly improve.
Even though there are many manufacturers who make rollers, they have remained virtually unchanged for decades until recently. TruTrainer rollers, manufactured by CycleDyne LLC in Brownsburg, Indiana, claim that their rollers have the closest feel and feedback to actually riding on the road. The secret to their rollers is the drum furthest to the rear is actually a flywheel. The only real visual difference between TruTrainer rollers and others on the market is the second drive belt connecting the two rear rollers.
That aluminum rear flywheel roller, being much heavy than the other two aluminum rollers, requires a longer period of time to accelerate and decelerate while riding – more closely mimicking the feel of riding on the road. CycleDyne also claims that the ‘viscous drag forces between the flywheel and roller simulate wind and rolling resistance.’ Along with these features, the rider enjoys a smoother ride; the ability to standup while pedaling; the ability to coast longer and enhanced interval training due to the flywheel requiring significantly more energy to accelerate to higher speeds – similar to riding on the road. All of this without any external ‘load’ devices like fans, magnets or fluid.
The only significant downside to TruTrainer rollers is the price. They retail for $699.95, which places them at the high end of the market; but if they are the same quality as another market leader, Kreitler, they are a lifetime investment (I should know as I have a set of Kreitler rollers from 1995).