5 Reasons to Ditch Your Direct Drive Trainer - Tru Trainer Smart Rollers Review

[@FLG8r]

I agree with your review. I've had TruTrainer rollers since 2015; it's the older 'analog' version minus the wireless protocols - it's a great training tool for those days you don't want to ride on the road; its has a realistic road feel; the rollers are high quality construction; the designers are aerospace engineers who are also avid cyclists, hence, the tight tolerances. Rollers are great since your bike remains intact and that there are no contact points placing mechanical stress on your frame. Agree, that you can't be distracted while using otherwise you'll fall off the rollers - it requires concentration and focus; a momentary glance to the side and you inadvertently steer your bike off and topple over.

[@chrisyoung8062]

Shooting towards the use of rollers on my inside rides. I use the E-Flex today which provides a lot of movement side to side and fore and aft but I'd really like the necessity of needing to be more engaged with balance. Inside Ride makes great rollers.

[@sprez]

The biggest difference that I notice riding indoors is that it uses your leg muscles a little differently than riding outdoors. It always takes me a few weeks to adapt to indoor riding. However, there is no adaptation required to switch back to outdoor riding once winter ends.

[@kbd13-n9c]

Did 4hrs on the direct drive trainer last weekend. I just have to stand up occasionally.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Nice ! Still not the same ride-feel as rollers

[@kevingregoire1042]

Always asked myself why the rollers did not have a mechanical self centring solutions. Like progressive texture on the sides so the front and rear wheel would be guided back to the center and give a little feedback.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Some tacx rollers are more of a hour glass shape, sending you back in the middle. This is great for beginners, but it's not the best ride feel. They are also very noisy!

[@LDerek]

Agree that these rollers are top of the line. I have a pair in my lab. I do use the Kickr Bike however to race. The rollers also provide an unfair advantage when racing zwift including sticky watts and the reason UCI events limit the choice to two trainers. Also, the power meter in my unit are not even close to accurate. Other than that still a really solid piece of kit. Great review.

[@xmasaartax]

Inside ride emotion rollers are better. Same principle but the cradle floats back and forth giving true road feel. Not affiliated but I 100% recommend.

[@NM-zi2zv]

Just curious as to whether a trainer tire specific for rollers would be better. Wouldn't there be more chance of your rear road tire being chewed up the more you rode on the trainer rollers?? Also, have you noticed small pieces of rubber from your rear wheel on the floor between the rear rollers?? Thanks.

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

Yeah I'd be curious to know about tire longevity. Would hate to chew up expensive tires for indoor training.

[@kalanihines]

Should be fine. I used kreitler rollers with track racing for years. Cotton tubulars, high end clinchers, cheap clinchers: never saw any issues. Glue didn’t heat up. Tread didn’t seem to wear any quicker.

[@NM-zi2zv]

@@kalanihines Good to know. The same cannot be said about the Wahoo Kickr Rollr as it chewed up my expensive road tire and eventually delaminated it!!!!

[@kalanihines]

@@NM-zi2zv damn! That sucks!! Sorry to hear it. Is it steel rollers? I wonder if the grooves are bigger or if there’s more resistance or something? Hope it didn’t put you on the ground too. What a bummer

[@NM-zi2zv]

@@kalanihines Wahoo is sending out a replacement unit, most likely something wrong with the bearings inside as it started making a knocking noise. The rollers are smooth and aluminum from what I can see. Overall, I don't think this should be used as the main indoor trainer during winter months.

[@lsantilli]

How does it calculate cadence with Zwift? Do you need a separate sensor for it? Unless they can somehow calculate the cadence with a built in sensor on the roller. I’m curious how that would work.

[@CharlesOuimet]

You would need it from the crankset, either a powermeter or dedicated cadence sensor

[@timdixo]

I use the Kickr Rollr for the same reasons. Not quite full rollers but are far more immersive and comfortable than the direct drives and Kickr bike I have owned.

[@CharlesOuimet]

nice!!

[@Fordtruck4sale]

I had some Inside Ride rollers about a decade ago then sold them, I'm on the Stages bike now because it's so easy to roll away in my tight space.They were super basic but these were the Pre-Zwift days.The bumpers are an absolute must. To be clear the rear roller increases resistance automatically just like any smart trainer right? I'm seriously considering switching back to rollers since your head is much more in the game and you can be comfortable on long rides like you said.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Yes resistance of these smart rollers act like any ERG trainer. It will follow zwift gradient or any planned workout! I move my stages bike for it's versality! But the ride feel sucks!! ahah

[@Fordtruck4sale]

@@CharlesOuimet the market for the Stages bike isn't great rn with the company folding so it'd be a lot of cash net to get into these rollers but I'm still considering them

[@MagicFrisby]

Thanks for the video. I am curious what software are you using on the screen that's infront of you when your ride the rollers.

[@mr2law]

He is using TrainerRoad

[@JeanFrancoisDesrosiers]

Sorry for being out of subject, but I see you have a Magene power meter. Would you recommend it?

[@CharlesOuimet]

It works well! Seem accurate enough, battery is good, no problem 6 months later

[@kozmicbluescali1]

you got the right tire brand.

[@Thebikewrench]

How about riding with inside ride E-flex with a wahoo or Hub trainer. Yes it is limiting on the trainer manufacturer, but it does work. The roller look cool wouldn’t mind trying, I have ridden regular rollers in the past, it is the most realistic to riding out side the E-flex is pretty good.

[@CharlesOuimet]

I guess I'd need to try the e-flex!

[@FreddyF1977]

Regarding your comment that you can be less distracted or that it's not necessarily possible to go all out, could the front fork stand make it possible to do sessions that are a little more “classic”? Thanks for the review, I've always been interested in this type of equipment but the fear of busting my head has always been a barrier to purchase. I'm going to look at used models to see if I like them and probably go with a higher-end model if the interest remains.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Hey Freddy, yes front fork would then allows to be more relaxed and less distracted. For the all-out sprint, I don't think it will be as good as direct drive or smart bike because when sprinting (even with fork attachment) a lot of the weight is forward, and there is lot's of pull up the pedals. I would be scared it cause the rear wheel to slip.... But I haven't tried.

[@robertcheung7399]

1400 bucks and the still try to nickel and dime you the accessories.

[@FreddyF1977]

I have to agree about that...

[@christosandreev6392]

Good video Charles. I bought a resistance parabolic roller which I use with my powermeter pedals. I've learned to ride them but I don't find them comfortable at all. My seatbones area is getting irritated after 1 hour of riding and I can't continue because I'm gonna get saddle sores. I've used the same bike outside for up to 8 hour rides without saddle issues. I don't know why this happens on the rollers. Maybe it is just the fact that it is so uncomfortable to ride out of the saddle. Do you have any tips / tricks regarding that? You have been riding rollers for the past year so if you know anything that can help please share. Appreciate the videos.

[@sprez]

I suffer from the same situation and for me it is because my chamois retains more moisture when riding inside than when riding outside. A damp chamois causes chafing which leads to saddle sores. It is simple to test. After riding inside for an hour, see if your chamois is dry. Aiming a fan at your lower body helps. Most people tend to aim their fans at their upper body and have no moisture wicking from their bib shorts.

[@christosandreev6392]

@@sprez You're right. My chamois becomes a bathesuit after an hour on the rollers despite using good fan.

[@jesseschenendorf2896]

How do tires stand up?

[@CharlesOuimet]

Must run higher pressure! doesn't chew tires more than tarmac

[@DominicHamel-Gagnon]

Did you get it delivered in Canada? If so how bad were taxes and duties.

[@CharlesOuimet]

I didn't get any duty, but I have a media unit/sample for review, that sometime fly inder the duties radar

[@PepeDalinShow]

How long have you been using the rollers? Does it wear your tires?

[@rivingtonandstanton]

Yes, you get some tire wear with rollers, mainly the back wheel. But much less than wheel-on stationary trainers. The larger the roller diameter, the less wear.

[@PepeDalinShow]

@@rivingtonandstanton How about compared to riding on the road vs on the rollers, do you think it's about the same or maybe more or less?

[@cliffsummers4104]

@@PepeDalinShow - Much less than on the road.

[@rivingtonandstanton]

@@PepeDalinShow about the same as riding on the road. I’ve used nylon composite rollers as well as alloy ones, both with fine groves on them and they were essentially the same. I’ve used my same road training tires Continental GP’s) on them and it’s all good.

[@rivingtonandstanton]

To be fair, I’ve never analyzed how much wear occurs from the road. But have never noticed the rate of wear being any higher on rollers compared to road.

[@LukeGJPotter]

How is the noise?

[@rivingtonandstanton]

@@LukeGJPotter Can’t speak for these particular rollers but I’ve used both Tacx and Kreitler rollers for years and they are virtually silent. The bikes drivetrain is what makes the noise. So no more than direct drive trainer.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Well said! You’ll hear the drivetrain

[@dxplosiv1]

These are the only rollers I've ever ridden, and they are pretty quiet, depending on the tires. My 28mm tubeless are a little louder than my 25mm clinchers for instance. But I was at a race and someone was riding some TacX rollers I think and those sounded like a jet was about to land. The Trutrainers sound nothing like those.

[@bike-on]

Is there any resistance? Resistance adjustment?

[@CharlesOuimet]

Yes, it has ERG mode so will change resistance in zwift world, or according to workout

[@jussitanskanen3583]

Opposite for me. I can sit on stages all day, but I get so sore on rollers

[@CharlesOuimet]

Damn! I just cant ahah

[@galenkehler]

Sounds like you could benefit from a bike fit. If you're rocking side to side that much that you cant do a long ride in a static position then theres likely something wrong. Dont misunderstand i love rollers but my static position on a trainer is super comfortable too. And im not rocking around out on the road either

[@suTornado]

Yeah, especially when he mentioned the time differences for which he started to experience discomfort on a bike attached to a trainer vs a smart bike. That sounds like they are not set even close to each other.

[@ZwiftDude]

Try changing the seat on your indoor SB20 1:47 to an ISM or S Works Power saddle it will make a world of difference. Can go for 2 hours + now indoor and no pain in lower back.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Nice! Still, the ride feel is nothing close to these rollers

[@jpvdw1961]

Such a misnomer... Power Saddle... a short nosed saddle doesn't magically increase ones power

[@Vic-sz4wx]

They've gone ballistic with that price tag...

[@CharlesOuimet]

All machined in house in the US. Will last a lifetime

[@LDerek]

The quality is second to none. Worth every penny.

[@OstapKliuchkovskyi]

im not buying it.. sprint only up to 1000watts. pricy and lots of extra spending for accessories. i don't mind to be distracted during long rides or watch a netfix. thx for content