I wonder if anyone can advise me on Rocker Plates for the turbo trainer, if you have them and like them or tried them and reverted to a fixed turbo trainer set up again?
I’ve always found indoor training physically a chore after 1-1.5hrs and wondered if a rocker plate would help reduce some of the physical limitations I have.
I’m looking at entering some big one day events next year and would like to increase my training through the Scottish winter and wondered if this might help me.
I know a bloke who made his own rocker plate. He even wrote an excellent article about it in my favourite cycling website at the time. @Andy_van_Bergen
They don’t have nearly the range of motion as proper rocker plates but just enough to make long sessions more comfortable. They’re also significantly more affordable and low profile
I’ve tried the squishy feet under the trainer approach but not a full on rocker. Made very little difference to me. What has made longer trainer sessions more bearable is an incline simulator, a Kickr Climb in my case. The near constant movement really helps relieve pressure on the saddle but also in the core and upper body. Rocker plates can be quite expensive so you might get better value from one of those.
And 1.5 hours on a trainer is pretty good going if you ask me, I’d be losing the will to live shortly after that
I have one of the inside ride e-flex things and I like it. it is on the pricy side, but it’s mechanical and doesn’t require being plugged in or inflated, and can’t break in any meaningful way.
Thank you Drew, I had a look at the pads you provided a link to, but it says the shop is taking a short break. But there’s plenty other similar squishy bases for my Kickr to peruse among. I am away for work, so have time to look and compare different types.
I love the e-flex with my Kickr. I keep an old road bike permanently mounted. This was a big upgrade from the rocker plate I had before with airbags for movement. The way the bike moves under you on the e-flex is just so much more natural.
I like the look of the Jetblack rocker plate, but I find just taking the time to stand up every x minutes on the trainer is enough to remove that specific fatigue. But I’m only ever on there for max 2hrs
I cobbled one together from scraps and used the inflatable balls for springs. It greatly increased my comfort but doesn’t feel natural when standing. Once this one wears out, or I’m tired of looking at it, I’ll upgrade to better version.
I was rocker-curious at one point and tried a few of the popular ‘hacks’ that you’ll find around the web. Went back to a fixed trainer. I’m prone to motion sickness and having the bike on a rocker triggered it. Having my inner ears tell me that I’m moving in a way that’s like being on a bike outdoors while my eyes tell me that I’m static and indoors is no good for me.
I’m also a fan of incline simulation. I was using a Kickr and Kickr Climb combo before upgrading to a Kickr Bike (and dumb trainers before that); I can’t imagine riding without tilt now. The Kickr+Climb was plenty for my vEveresting in 2020. A while back on a whim I bought the official Wahoo feet pads on clearance for my Kickr, and the difference is slight. Getting out of the saddle at regular intervals is much more effective. I regularly ride 2 hours even when the weather’s fine outside.
Have you listened to the Performance Process podcast about adjusting indoor bike fit for indoor riding? I’ve been riding indoors for years and agreed with/already incorporated pretty much everything suggested.
Here is what I did a few years ago….very simple construction. Matching platforms and a 2x4 down the middle of the top platform, rounded on the bottom. Mini-Bosu balls for the suspension.
It feels a bit wonky out of the saddle, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
I’ve got some tennis ball feet for my wahoo core, think they were from eBay. I have seen them for a few different types of trainer. Adds a decent amount of forgiveness.
I’ve spent many, many hours on the trainer and found the Leeze Boomboard Pro to be a complete game changer. Leeze Boom Board Pro Rocker Plate Ride feel is vastly improved and I can ride as long as I want on it.
