[Closed] Turbo or Rollers?

Generally, rollers are quieter, great for leg speed and technique but less good for anything involving resistance. They can be more involved as you have to think more when you’re riding them.

Turbo’s are better for any resistance based training and for anything interactive like Zwift. They can be a touch louder but the new ones are actually very quiet now.

If I could only own 1 it’d be a turbo.

For technique, rollers. For fitness, turbo.

I bought a set of second hand rollers with metal drums and found them to be louder than I expected, not sure if there was a problem with them though. I gave them away as a change in circumstances meant I didn't have anywhere to use them. I liked the idea of rollers as they were supposed to be more engaging and I'd read they were quieter to use.

I now have an Elite fluid trainer with an elastomer roller and find this fairly quiet in use. It feels realistic too, which is nice, but you can't change the resistance on the trainer itself, you have to use the gears, same as the rollers I had.

Rollers help you develop a better technique and become a smoother rider, but require good core strength to remain balanced, turbos can be better for increasing power output. Based on my own personal experience I'd go with a turbo, but I just want something to pedal on in winter, I'm not into serious training. The best option for you depends on what you are looking to get out of it.

Smart trainer for enjoyment. If that's the right word. Rollers will build technique but are a different type of training. You can use a fork mount, flywheel and fan to get more resistance and road feel, but Zwift and most other virtual apps don't support rollers.

I have both. If on a budget, I'd get a Tacx Blue Motion plus bluetooth speed sensor. For a little more, I'd buy a reconditioned Kickr Snap for £300 before they sell out.

Turbo for hard sessions, rollers for recovery. If you can stretch to it get both.

I see you are in Bristol, I have a spare magnetic turbo, fluid turbo, standard rollers and resistance rollers if you want to borrow them for a week.

Who has the kicker snap for £300?

I'd say turbo over rollers if you wanted specific training. I have a kickr and actually enjoy riding the turbo now. The reconditioned ones are direct from Wahoo.

https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/bike-trainers/wahoo-2015-kickr-snap-refurbished

I am not a serious racer anymore so no longer do interval training but I can't stand the turbo, something about it seems to make my knees hurt more than road. Therefore Im a rollers fan, I suspect this puts me in the minority PoV  :). I find them great for technique, more core use and fine for longer intervals, When last I trained for racing, long mtb stages, I used the rollers for longer threshold type intervals and they were fine.

Also no one looks cool on a turbo;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_BcHekNAfO

I have an older Tacx Vr trainer and a set of rollers, much prefer the rollers.

With rollers I can literally get on the bike put on the HRM and ride. Time goes faster and trying not to have a massive crash while grabbing a drink or messing with the MP3 player adds to the experience.

My cadence has improved and I’m less of a masher, which my drivetrain thanks me for.

I have both and it’s rollers for me. A turbo with control allows using Zwift but unless you’re really into Zwift then everything about rollers is better. My Tacx rollers can hold 450W which is more than my legs can sustain for any length of time. A trainer only trains the legs while rollers train all the muscles you use for cycling - the sport you’re training to do 🙂