How To Ride The Rollers - A Beginner's Guide

[@6ft8incyclist]

When I was in the US Navy We had a group of cyclist and we would ride our rollers at sea Talking about working on balance and bike handling skills, As the ship pitches and rolls..

[@RandallSteen]

Too funny. Never tried that on the carrier. Ever tell the XO to keep an even keel. Haha. Have a navy day.

[@JoelSzymczyk]

@@RandallSteen pitches and rolls... ON A CARRIER!!! LOLOLOLOL Try a 270 Coast Guard Cutter .... Picked up a couple of Navy Intel Weenies from a Carrier in the Baltic, never saw anyone get so seasick so fast in my life :D :D Then again we barely had room for spare skivvies, let alone sets of rollers... :D :D :D

[@JoelSzymczyk]

@Nick Maclachlan Because we were the absolute best at what we did, and still do, and even the Navy needs heroes, and we trained with other country's Navies, Coast Guards, and Border Guards in the Baltic, North, Med, and Black seas. In matters of maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and navigation, the US Coast Guard has a world wide reach.

[@JoelSzymczyk]

@Nick Maclachlan 😂😂😂😂 thank you for your service to your country.

[@stevedecklin]

Joel Szymczyk 🙄 aight dude

[@rayacosta3510]

Thank you GCN Team, I started watching you channel about 6 months ago. I got my first road bike in July and when I'm not riding I'm watching your channel from training tips to bike maintenance. I even started doing the indoor training and diet. Now it's been 6 months and I have you guys to thank for helping me loose 50 pounds. I still have a long ways to go but I know with your tips and encouragement will help people like me who loves cycling in to a better shape and life style.

[@leafster1337]

nice

[@edthelizzard]

I have been training on rollers for about two years now. What a difference in skill, concentration and technique it has been for me! Had a turbo trainer but the ride feel was awful so I sold it and got an Elite Arion V-Mag with 3 levels of resistance. I learned to balance myself on the bike, I learned to relax myself on the bike, I learned to pedal better (work in progress) and my concentration levels have improved also. In addition it is a great tool to custom fit the bike, you can adjust the measures and test them out immediately. All in all, it has been huge boost to my performance. I may still be a rubbish rider but I am so with a lot more confidence. Keep up the good work.

[@CyclingOffToSomewhereIDK]

LOVE this, cheers... I had rollers when i was a kid..1985ish..I remember the difficulty. I got some recently due to all the fires in southern California, it was difficult to ride outside..heck, difficult to BE outside. I tried them again, fell off once, popped a hip (mid 50's, arthritic hips..wasn't that difficult) but I got the hang of not falling off at least. I injured a leg again a couple weeks back..massive abrasion..and my boss (wife) forbade me from riding til it gets a bit better. I have been "cleared" for rollers, so out they come. This is a great inspiration DC

[@cammykinnis]

Step 4: setup your rollers in front of a poster of a dragon to channel your inner fire breathing demon

[@HexseCow]

basic knowledge

[@Someone-nt8wz]

@@HexseCow Wooo

[@l3gendgam1ng44]

Smart

[@mirandahacket729]

😂😂😂😂

[@michaelcky90]

Tried roller for first time at last two weeks. Able to keep my balance and let go of my hands at end of the session. Balancing is essential.

[@da14a49]

Good job

[@chriswitek9455]

matt youve genuinely impressed me, as someone who only picked up rollers a few months ago there absolutely is a learning curve. clearly your many years of pedaling and developing a good pedal stroke and good balance between legs has lead to a fairly easy time learning rollers! keep it up! old dogs can learn new tricks after all.

[@4879daniel]

How do I get one of those GCN cushions? I never fall off my rollers, just fancy one for the living room.

[@sebastianfejsoe]

Just me or was that new PB for Matt off clipping in!?!?

[@memybikeandfriends]

Wood floors + bike cleats? I'm never getting off that roller.

[@lhotse1716]

He was definitley reaching for the wrong rail at 5:31

[@Arfadezz]

💀

[@martinhalsall8629]

Dan, you normally play it so cool but your concern for Mr Stephens was completely adorable.

[@DrMcAwesome]

Love my rollers! Have been enjoying the gcn indoor sessions with them. Sometimes run out of gears on the low cadence sections but nothing a handful of brake lever can't fix. Chris Froom style!

[@lw47]

If you have very little clearance on standover height, you might find it tricky getting on the rollers the first time. Putting a fat book or wood block down in between the rails to step on will help with confidence on getting going. Just make sure your pedals/wheels clear it.

[@Frostbiker]

It's the first idea that came to my mind. I can't believe that a short step isn't integrated into the design of the rollers.

[@hughiealonso]

matt's reaction when he nearly falls off is fantastic!

[@simonbowler5036]

I love the rollers, but when I started, it was like Bambi on ice! Mine have resistance which means I can do some proper intervals too. And now I can ride no handed too, which really helps with core, and looks cool too:-)

[@spinme100]

I have to say I would never have viewed that episode if Matt was not the one riding the rollers. Pure gold.

[@martinaxe6390]

Just used my rollers for the first time. Took me 5 minutes and a fall, but I got the hang of it for the most part. I bought some parabolic rollers with lips on the edges of the rollers which keeps the bike wheels from popping off the rollers. Sort of like training wheels but for rollers. Those did save me a few times in my first 30 minute ride. It was scary changing hand positions but he's right when he says to use those core muscles to help prop yourself up and put less when on the bars. I'm very glad I spent the money on rollers.

[@litojaylonip2062]

Matt's bloopers are really quite priceless. I think gcn needs to make Matt's bloopers a weekly thing. 😂😂

[@robertmagadan495]

I bought a set of Elite-it rollers before watching this video. I had a very hard time learning how to ride on them 🤯. I saw this video, I followed the directions and with 30 minutes, I was rolling baby! Thanks 🙏 GCN amazing video!!!!

[@anandachu3636]

I think Matt clipped in in record time.

[@simonaggar7014]

Matt you are a legend. Best KZbin clip on gcn and a bloopers section all of its own. Took me a couple of attempts to get used to rollers but I love em

[@jefft6782]

Awesome job Matt! Clipping in first time, never mind the rollers...

[@jayhenryrules]

Great video, I just got a set of these and after a brief 10 minutes of use I feel like I will NEVER be able to use them. After watching this video I have a little more confidence and will try again tonight!

[@Timbosch]

Quite possibly the best outtakes of any of your videos

[@usman5140]

Had my set for about 2 months and use them 1- 2 times a week. They're not boring as I've heard standard trainers can be. I still need to start next to a wall and cant do 1 handed yet, but I can use them well enough for a quality workout. You will sweat even outside in the winter, and you will fall occasionally. You'll get use to them, nothing to be scared of.

[@GarryStebbings]

Thanks Dan and Matt, was quiet confident on rollers when I was younger, could ride them no hands reading a book. Tried them again recently after forty odd years, found I was a bit like Matt to start off with, soon comes back though, don't know if I would try the reading trick again for a while.

[@madmattcopple_777]

Learned how to ride rollers on a fixed gear track bike doing sprint intervals. One heck of a workout! An easier way to get on and off than a wall, would be to set a chair next to you for something to hold onto getting on and off till you get a little more comfortable with the whole thing.

[@CubeRunner1000]

brilliant. top bloke Matt for having a go. I reckon that there may be a whole film of bloopers!

[@josech]

I recently discover that type of rollers and I'm absolutely fascinated with them! Way more fun than fixed ones.

[@grawe87]

Those Videos are the best after a workout session! Perfect cool down time plus great tun! THX guys!

[@matcawth1]

Really useful - many thanks to the presenters and also to the contributors in the comments below. Now winter is a-coming, all I have to do is grow a pair and get that set of rollers...

[@nickersonw10]

I just got rollers for Christmas, so this is great!

[@robertmartinlooby]

Matt has used rollers before,look at the hair on him

[@austinbrough7327]

well done Matt, better than my first effort where I spent half the time leaning on the door frame. I would recommend the conical shaped rollers for newbies, they help to correct you if you venture too close to the edges.

[@velilenare5267]

as with clip pedals, it is true to say one usually falls in order not to reduce likelyhood of it happening again. I tumbled at the traffic lights when I first started using clip shoes. Never happened again. On my first rollers use I had a bed on my right and a wall on my left.

[@swil1116]

Best way to improve form. I was surprised to see Matt pedaling squares so badly. As mentioned above saw a few roller races too-1k sprints and 3-5000 m races. Those were crazy. Guys doing 200+rpm bouncing all over the place.

[@Maxmaxz]

You did spledidly, Matt. Bloody well chapeau!

[@swil1116]

Thanks Matt! Next test is to try it with a few pints. I ended up mangling a wheel when I drove off the roller in between the roller and post used to when the rollers were folded for storage.

[@alainbellemare2168]

wrists protectors like the one used in rollerblading can be interesting, at the beginning do it often for shorter periods to trigger your nervous system more often without getting exhausted , giving it the opportunity to create the balancing motor skills, a little foot stool to get off the bike is handy

[@neilrw86]

it was nice of Dan to help Matt get off.

[@JoelSzymczyk]

I'm the only one in 3 years to get the sarcasm....... :D

[@klempo13]

Its extreme corner in the making! Chapo Matt!

[@tywang]

Fastest clip in from Matt, well done!! Still hasn't saw off that steerer though!!!

[@watcher24601]

Wow that was amazing, I didn't know Matt could clip in so quickly!

I place a yoga matt under the roler, helps with the grip when I get off the bike

[@nickgardener2990]

Yet again another great video from Matt and Dan, plus couldnt stop laughing for two reasons 1. Matt nearly ending up in a pill on the fall but . . . 2. Matt almost catching the wrong leg !!! Pro Tip: Not the one in the middle !!!

[@HaldunSayi]

One of the funniest GCN record 😂🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@gcn]

haha!

[@edthelizzard]

Personal tip: I use an old step platform which is about the rollers frame height to assist me in getting on and off the bike. I stopped leaning against the wall ages ago and I look a lot more of a man for it.

[@WmCRobison]

Matt is such a great sport.

[@flourcitybread2898]

I could watch every second of the outtakes from this video. Hilarious.

[@craigpaterson5085]

For me a twelve year old that has been rollering for 2 years and I love them can do no hands.I would advise not pulling breaks to slow down just free wheel and place your hand onto a chair or rail. But I agree they are great for warming up before a race

[@00bikeboy]

+Craig Paterson Yup, don't use breaks. Just coast to a stop and you'll be fine.

[@chriswitek9455]

+Craig Paterson i feel like applying the brakes keeps your wheels from rolling while getting off though. if youre already leaning against the wall the brakes wont do any harm honestly

[@ernestantonioching]

00bikeboy why dont use the brakes

[@00bikeboy]

While your wheels are turning your bike is more stable, due to the gyroscope effect. That stability comes in handy when you're dismounting from rollers. Just something learned through experience. You could certainly apply the brakes and stop the wheels from spinning before you dismount, but keep in mind the bike will be less stable.

[@ernestantonioching]

Chris Witek ohh ic

[@nlesshyper]

this is the fastest clip in from matt good job!

[@sjtutty]

Brilliant film, thank you I'm still riding in a doorway and I'm still using it to keep upright, and that's after more than a year! Oh and where can I get a fantastic GCN crash Mat(t)?!

[@ronanfox4389]

I have an old set of rollers with plastic drums. They're great to ride but you do have to be careful to remember that you're building up static electricity as you ride. Make sure whatever you're using as support is not metal. It is fun to get one of the kids to touch you while you ride though. That'll wake them up!

[@FrekeOne]

buy one with resistance, have something on both sides to lean against. Put a stick out in front to get a quick aim at to see if You are in the center. Do this and You will have no problems other than the first 5 min of the first try.

[@Livlifetaistdeth]

Back when men were men and women could ride bikes made for them instead of smaller men's bikes these were awesome...and still are! MATT IS THE GREATEST!

[@theterribletree]

Wow, you guys make getting off look easy!

[@Phaidrus]

Well done, Matt!

[@razordimeback]

You should have mentionned that if you want to apply the brakes for stopping, to do it ever so gently, because braking too hard will just send your bike off the rollers. I usually just lean on the wall while still pedaling, then just slow down until the wheels stop turning. I was surprised at how fast Matt clipped in, maybe the rollers will make him a better clipless rider ;)

[@magicalhats]

After seeing that "WHOA!" and saw the bike about to just fall on the right side, thats when I knew this wasn't for me. 😂 I want a roller, but wish there was another design to keep the bike up right but still able to sway a little bit to the left and right.

[@21LoDown]

5:31 Matt trying to grab Dan's dingdongs eh? lmao!

[@helenstevie]

Another thing to do is have a bar next to you so instead of leaning to the wall when stopping grabbing the bar is alot easier I think

[@williamlucas7600]

I made my own rollers out of wood and used a bike chain and rear meck to allow adjust-ability on the front... No.1 hardest thing to ride.. Not to mention the loudest set of rollers you'll ever see.

[@JohnRider]

Nice job Matt! I was not the elegant my first time on rollers for sure... :-)

[@FabianChavira]

do those rollers give resistance when u change gears?

[@dekjn]

Laura Trott makes it look so easy pedaling like the clappers sitting back with no hands on the bars and sending a text message !!!!

[@00Bagged]

@5:31 what exactly were you grabbing for ? trying to keep Dan upright ...?

[@m7deline]

kinda sus there

[@damonthomas8955]

please do a video where you elevate the front of the rollers to simulate climbing.

[@jackobrien7728]

Hey GCN team, now I have used this video to master how to get on and off the rollers it would be great if you could include some Rolling session ideas into your train with GCN playlist to help us make the most of our time on them!

[@sherwinsalvatori6997]

I did it a couple of times before tack meets and they dam difficult to master not to mention I been on 2wheel since well the dawn of ages , I tell you lads while I using this dam contraption whole time am one handed holding on to something.

[@barefeg]

hey guys, would it be possible for you to put your workouts in cycleops virtual training? It would be really cool.

[@kojie333]

Yeah I use virtual training by cycleops with my iPad and your workouts would be great there @Global Cycling

[@miguelsantiago1580]

Thanks for the video

[@BW_87]

Will there be any vids for roller training session ideas?

[@Burkeyboy77]

I can't imagine life without Matt Stevens in it.

[@ljk5708]

Do you need training tires like you would on a home trainer?

[@kwintin]

Thank you Matt!

[@mattmik2545]

now that it's been awhile, did Matt keep using rollers? any noticeable benefits?

[@chromosom9509]

This should of been one of the first videos of the channel.

[@jameswilliams6843]

Would you suggest using parabolic rollers when starting out or do they not make much difference?

[@BillEvans007]

Any views on using parabolic rollers? More suited to the beginner? More stable?

Matt achieved a brand new record for clipping in.

[@rickyhalim01]

I just got my roller, but the drum feels not so smooth though it still rideable. Is it normal or should I do some more settings on the roller ? Thanks.

[@firerose01]

I ride a moutain bike with 2.25 inch wheels can I still use this on that?

[@stuh6712]

Thanks for this video guys. What tyres would you suggest using?

[@edthelizzard]

Normal ones, without any sort of tread on them. Helps keep the noise level down.

[@idi0tdetectioninprogress]

+Stuart Haddow I just use my end of season road tyres. Buy new one`s for the coming year, and stick the old ones on the trainer bike. Get the pressures well up high, sorted!

[@XxXBattleStarXxX]

Really helped, thanks a lot!

[@traderz13]

Can you do an indoor session especially for rollers, maybe get trotty or Jo to do it.

[@hermoglyph2255]

Don't be put off by everybody telling you rollering is difficult, because it really isn't. Give yourself confidence by making it impossible to fall over (eg by having a wall on one side of you and a mounting block about 4 inches high on the other (don't clip in to begin with)), and you'll find in no time you can stay upright unsupported for several whole seconds - which isn't much, but shows you can do it - from then on it's just a matter of practice. (I'll admit I found it very knackering at first, mentally and physically, but that was just me discovering that my pedalling technique and fitness were worse than I'd realised.)

[@heavybiker1472]

I am noticing that one leg's push down stroke is stronger than the others resulting in a continous "turn" or swing of the front wheel to the other side on the rollers. Is there any way to strengthen the legs or stretch so that leg strengths and the push:pull are equal on both sides? I am sure biking on rollers would be more enjoyable if so.

[@__Cake__]

I'am doing your indoor cycling workout with roller which makes it more intense

[@javorgeorgiev6130]

I thought I had the measures wrong, but it seems that I was getting on the rollers with my weight all the way out forward, which drove the bike backwards underneath me and right off the rollers. It was a lot harder than I expected to get on it for the first time. I might need to step on something first before getting on, because my seat is quite all the way up and I can't help but tilt forward when getting on to reach it. It's going to be a good few weeks before I try riding with my cleats clipped in. I'm not worried about myself. I don't want to damage the bike. Unlike me, it won't heal on its own without costing me anything extra.

[@ljk5708]

What’s the ideal psi while using rollers?

[@code3xiv]

Love the old GCN.

[@Sth_Magical]

Loving the Chinese dragon motif on the wall, is there any special reason for it?

[@ejsimpson8270]

Using a inexpensive wheelset is also a good idea. When I first started my front wheel kept slipping off and I bent a spoke.

[@flor.e.cultura]

Suggestion for the next video: How to CUT YOUR FORK!!!!

[@watcher24601]

+Flor.e.Cultura I can understand wanting to reduce the stem height (on non-sponser cycles), but why would anyone want to cut their forks?

[@davidverbrugghe]

wow clipping in in record time. he an still learn some tricks! the student may become the master ...

[@kratkidokumentarci224]

Make long rollers to glide to the side like 10 meters :) that would be cool.

[@ritchardmedina9845]

Does anybody have advice where I can find a basic roller for not so expensive?

[@twisted_witch]

That maybe a PB for clipping in but has Matt had an off recently 2:56 is that a recovering skinned knee? Did no one check Dans rollers were oiled at the beginning, or was that just his old joints creaking.

[@twisted_witch]

+Matt Stephens ah, yes 'the cousin of the log' incident. Say no more.

[@swissjonesy]

A crate or box at the side makes mounting and discounting much easier.

[@davidhakes5141]

You need some kind of platform under the crankset area of the roller trainer.

[@werdsmyth]

A bottle 3 feet in front of you? I put a laptop screen 3 feet in front of me. And use it to watch the GCN Show. #2birds1stone