I pour melted butter inside my rolling pins to kep them rolling better. And I sprinkle flour on the outside for the tyres to roll better. But I always keep a jug of milk at hand in case the whole thing goes up in flames. The milk is also good for a recovery drink with a chocolate chip cookie.
My opinion: Keep the wooden box frame, ditch everything else. Go to an industrial supply and ask for industrial rollers (they're intended for like assembly lines and/or moving packages). They are designed to take hundreds of pounds of force, have proper bearings in them, and proper mounts to fasten them to the 2x4" frame. You can buy them in just about every type of material: stainless, rubber coated, or delrin/nylon (probably best), and different widths/diameters. And I'd upgrade the belt. Again, an industrial supply would probably have something like smooth drive belt, or you can buy just buy a genuine replacement belt for a set of rollers from your bike shop (I've seen them dirt cheap). As to how to mount the belt, if you take a coarse file, while pedaling and the rollers are turning, you can file a groove into the rollers (assuming you bought the delrin/nylon rollers) which will offer a 'channel' for the belt to ride in and not move around.
Definitely all good upgrades! Ours were really a "proof of concept" and are not that good - but if people have got better ideas then so much the better.
Good idea, I made some rollers using 4 inch grey drainpipe rathern than rolling pins; they can be a bit longer. Cutting the wood circles to hold the axles is tricky, if the axle is not 100% central it is like riding the Paris-Roubaix. The axles went into the frame using skateboard bearings.
Global Cycling Network I would love to see how cheap you can build a set of rollers that would be acceptable, or even good. I think using industrial rollers is a good start.
If you're UK based, and want to spend a little more cash, here are some industrial rollers on eBay - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160797434344?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&var=460070650001&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I'd consider using these instead. It would cost more, but a little more efficient.
Mark Lucas Try connecting an old electric DC motor as a generator and use a multimeter or voltmeter to measure the electricity you are generating, then convert it to watts knowing before the resistance of the system. After calibrating it properly, that should work, maybe.
Watching this again after years, and still astonished at what a friggin' /machine/ The Brick is. Because holy smokes, I am still amazed at how he can manage on rollers that are barely 10" wide. That's keeping a straight line like nobody's business!
What you didn't stress at the 6:52 mark is the front roller should be directly under the front axle for most natural handling else the front wheel will steer in an off angle more easily than it should. Ah, dur.
I had a pair of home made rollers years ago that a friend had made, I cant remember all the details but I do remember that they used the yellow PVC gas pipe that utility companies use as the basis for the rollers- I think they plugged the ends with a metal cap/spindle. The frame was steel box section.
With the noise that thing produces ( the rollers not Tom), it would end in either fire, or divorce. Maybe both. But either way the missus won't have a rolling pin left to batter you with .
Hi great video , You could use some pillow block bearings and metal rods through the rollers , you can buy these at Princes Auto in Canada or Harbour frieght in the U.S. or any automotive parts store. They are not expensive and you would just need some lag bolts and a hack saw to mount them .
You could use manufacturing conveyor line rollers. They're typically made of good steel with decent bearings and can be found for pretty cheap. That's what I'm going to try and build them with. Many are 24" - 36" too so you have much more room to float on.
gcn is like: i just spent £5000 on the latest bicycle and now we need a roller! how can i save £50 by bodging together a rubbish roller that eats through my £100 tires in no time?
If wont kill your tyres, why should it. The only problem is see is that you are just gonna grind trough the axle of the rolling pins and maybe they will catch fire.
How about skipping the right angle brackets and screws- drill holes in the sides of the 2x4 frame to accept the rolling pin handles, and insert them as you assemble the frame...
Haha, nice! I'm way to excited to do this! I'm thinking of altering the rollers to accept skateboard wheel bearings. Then use threaded rod to run through the rollers and be able to use washers and bolts to secure the rollers into the 2x4.
I'm building my own cycling rollers like the same in the video..well, no technical improvement, just the same, but I decided to improve the aesthetics! I'm painting it satin white with red glossy rollers: Elite style! I also varnished the rollers with wood flatting so it may be less prone to wear and last longer. Thank you GCN!
what changes would you make for a Recumbent Trike Stand? Here's a suggestion for cheap rollers - Literally 1000's of Offset Printing Presses are getting shipped to the dumps or dismantled for parts and they have jumbo rollers that I think you could pick up for next to nothing.
You can use some used tube to reduce noise. For example patch tube at roller bottom to reduce noise from vibration, and it also give you some grip. The roller axis, you may patch a small used tube and put on the axis and then fix with screws and some hot glue or silicone glue to give more power to fix, it's properly can reduce a lot of noise from vibration.
👌👌👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍 Interesante y con herramientas y material básico. pero cuanto les duro? Las asas de los rodillos se quemaron por la fricción o se quebraron por el peso? Interesting and with basic tools and materials. But how long did it last? Did the handles on the rollers burn from friction or break under the weight?
Awesome hack! I'll try to think of something cheap and available to replace those rolling pins, which can easily wear out due to friction... I really like your videos, congrats!
Would it be possible to drill a hole into the would and use the rolling pin handles to slot in? Curious as to why you're using 3 rolling pins instead of 4. Is it just for the cost or is the 4th rolling pin unnecessary?
I would suggest cutting a grove via the back and front of the rollers so the wheels fits in place. The problem is if you need to stop how do you keep your balance and from hitting the floor?
I love it... But a few of questions: why can't you use four rollers... Two in the front as well? ... Why do you need the inner tube? Can't the bike keep the rollers going without the inner tube? Instead of using can lids (or, along with using them), have you considered carving in a groove on the rollers to keep the tube in place? Or, if that weakens the rollers too much, maybe placing heavy duty rubber bands or several layers off duct tape on the rollers to keep the tube from veering over too far? How much weight can this hold (not including the weight off the bike)? How many times did you fellas use this before it began falling apart? I'm looking at that table and thinking you could probably turn it upside down and make a bike trainer out of that. But I do love this idea. I'm seriously looking for a good DIY project to make a bike trainer so I can ride my bike inside in the winter months. Thanks, Guys!
I made this, but instead of wooden rolling pins, I used rollers from broken treadmills. The thing works like a dream. works great and only cost me 7.00 to make!
Here are some suggestions, in approximate order of drasticness. - Wrap a piece of rubber, maybe even pieces of old inner tube, around the rolling pin handles before mounting them to the frame, to isolate the pins vibrationally. That would make it a bit quieter. - Mount the front roller more carefully, so that it is directly under the front axle. That way the front tire touches the pin exactly as it would touch a road. That should make the bike more stable. - Make the rollers taper very slightly toward the middle. That would help keep the bike from wandering left and right. You may need a lathe. - Attach some rubber screw-on feet to the underside of the frame at the corners. That would make the entire thing less wobbly, especially on carpet. The feet would compress the carpet and padding right underneath them, and make the entire thing more solid. - Fabricate a front mounting bracket from plywood for the front fork. You would remove the front tire and quick mount the bike to the bracket. The bracket would be more trouble to build, but then you would only need one roller, a single one for the back wheel, and no belt drive. In fact, you don't even need the big frame. You just have a kind of stand for the front fork, and then a separate roller assembly for the rear. And of course, the bike would be totally steady. - Add a sturdy rail at about hand height near the front, to steady you as you get on and off. (We can't all hop directly off the thing like our excellent hosts.) - Don't use those rolling pins. Get some casters with ball bearings and mount them wheel-side up on the frame. Set some kind of cylinder, say a length of 4" PVC pipe, on top of the wheels. (And figure out some simple way to keep the cylinder centered on the casters. Quieter, less resistance and more durable. ( As somebody else suggests, you could use pillow block bearings and metal rods as axles, instead of the rolling pins, but you would have to build out the rods somehow to increase their diameter, and I can't think of an easy way to do that.)
xnavigator they're screwing in soft wood, you don't need to drill pilot-holes in pine (which is what 2x4 are usually made from), it wont split as long as you drive the screw at least one inch from the edge
Global Cycling Network Ah, it's not about having good screws. If you pre-drill the outside holes so that the threaded part of the screw fits through the hole, just, it will have the effect of pulling the two pieces of wood together tighter than you can hold them, in the hope it will be a tight fit!! Good effort though, respect...
Why not use PVC pipe - one size inside a slightly larger size approx. the size of the rolling pin? Also, could you not cut grooves in the side wood pieces to fit the rolling pin handles or whatever one used, instead of the metal?
You guys are absolutely nuts! Those rollers are awful - not worth the $35.00 that you spent anthem. BUT WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR A VIDEO! Very entertaining.
Great work guys, really awesome. Please excuse my ignorance but why a roller for the front tire is needed? Would someone just be able to just keep balance having the rear tire rolling or the bike needs both tires rolling at the same speed to create a gyro effect and be able to keep the balance? Thanks
Have tried on my dads road bike with a massive chainring and a 26er XC MTB with a much smaller 3x chainring and I can not push the pedal past about 120° I know there is meant to be resistance, but wow it is hard to pedal. Would lubricating our rollers help?
Hey GCN, thanks for the great video. Request for next one... DIY bike stand please! I can't think of how to make the rollers any cheaper than what the lads built. Easy to make better rollers with higher quality parts (ie: rolling pins). Hmmm, otherwise, maybe the Graham O'Bree washing machine bearings trick, perhaps???
I would put some old inner tube in between the roller handles and the 90 degree things, and also between the rollers and the frame, noise reduction u know also might mitigate some vibrations too!
hi gcn, today i received 3 conveyor belt rollers. they are absolutely frictionless, do you guys know any way to create friction without damaging the rollers itself? Thank you!
Hi there, having low friction rollers will be great - better than our efforts anyway! The friction will come from the belt (or inner tube) and your bike being on top of them. Let us know how you get on with your rollers, we'd love to see a picture of them when you're done.
Global Cycling Network Ill definitely will post a few pictures to your facebook! When I have assembled them, however in only have time in the christmas holidays so it will take a while. btw i thought maybe if that wouldnt be enough friction i might just assemble an old bikelight dynamo. Thanks for the response:)
nijerk13 Cool, we'll look forward to seeing them! A dynamo or similar could do the job, and if you're being super cunning about it, you could have adjustable locations for it to make the resistance easier or harder.
Will you make an videos involving actual rollers ? I have been riding my own rollers this winter and would love some insight on the benefits and skills rollers provide.
Would be a nice touch to use bike parts in the construction (other than an inner tube). Bicycle bearings (I guess bottom bracket would be the best bet), adjustable suspension components re-purposed for length adjustment or even incline simulation! Loads more possible I expect, although the £20 budget might get completely destroyed...
Great and innovative idea.I am a wheelchair racer.Can you think of a way to build rollers for sports wheelies.The commercials ones cost US$700/- Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Cup & Cone has great improvement info , just to add to this comment , i would take the front wheel off , make a bracket to hold the front forks and the ride would be alot smother & alot safer .
Hello, what is the minimum diameter of the roller as I tried with rollers diameter 4 centimeter (in French) or 25/32 in English it seems to me and the rollers did not turn can you help me?
Put some sort of surface, level with the bottom of the wheels, underneath the bike between the rollers, gives you a surface to stand on when (un)mounting.
Handy hint from an Australian (metric) hardware store worker: don't ask for 10cmx5cm, they'll laugh at you as pine framing doesn't come in that size. Ask for a 90x45, and make them think you know what you're doing ;) Or just ask for a 4 by 2, and they'll give you a 90x45!
This is actually brilliant. How do you keep yourself warm AND in shape in the winter? Enter the GCN Survival Rollers. There's never been a faster, more convenient way to get a fire going!
I love this idea, I have just gotten back into cycling as a way to save money and I happen to have a 2"x4" frame that I pulled out of the rubbish bin on my back patio. Has anybody suggested using a set of rollerblade wheels inside of sch80 PVC pipe? you should be able to fine the correct size pipe and the wheels can be epoxied into the ends of the pipe. You may also be able to affix the wheels to the outside of the rolling pins, possibly even using the bracket from the rollerblade if it is made correctly. I will be attempting this build as I use my rolling pin for choc chip cookies and home-made noodles(the other reason I need to start cycling.)
+Russell Isaacs Using a single roller at the front gives you a little more room for error in your estimate of the wheelbase of the bike (and allows you to use different bikes on the same rollers, for that matter).
I pour melted butter inside my rolling pins to kep them rolling better. And I sprinkle flour on the outside for the tyres to roll better. But I always keep a jug of milk at hand in case the whole thing goes up in flames. The milk is also good for a recovery drink with a chocolate chip cookie.
+David O Brien lol
+David O Brien Stop being a jackass
Add minced bananas to the flour and milk to prepare your nutrition for outdoor rides while training indoors...
David O Brien
lel
David O Brien you fucking idiot
Who needs a power meter when you have this thing. You know you are putting out serious watts when you smell the wood about to catch on fire.
My opinion: Keep the wooden box frame, ditch everything else. Go to an industrial supply and ask for industrial rollers (they're intended for like assembly lines and/or moving packages). They are designed to take hundreds of pounds of force, have proper bearings in them, and proper mounts to fasten them to the 2x4" frame. You can buy them in just about every type of material: stainless, rubber coated, or delrin/nylon (probably best), and different widths/diameters. And I'd upgrade the belt. Again, an industrial supply would probably have something like smooth drive belt, or you can buy just buy a genuine replacement belt for a set of rollers from your bike shop (I've seen them dirt cheap). As to how to mount the belt, if you take a coarse file, while pedaling and the rollers are turning, you can file a groove into the rollers (assuming you bought the delrin/nylon rollers) which will offer a 'channel' for the belt to ride in and not move around.
Definitely all good upgrades! Ours were really a "proof of concept" and are not that good - but if people have got better ideas then so much the better.
Good idea, I made some rollers using 4 inch grey drainpipe rathern than rolling pins; they can be a bit longer. Cutting the wood circles to hold the axles is tricky, if the axle is not 100% central it is like riding the Paris-Roubaix. The axles went into the frame using skateboard bearings.
Global Cycling Network I would love to see how cheap you can build a set of rollers that would be acceptable, or even good.
I think using industrial rollers is a good start.
I was just gonna suggest using industrial rollers.
If you're UK based, and want to spend a little more cash, here are some industrial rollers on eBay - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160797434344?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&var=460070650001&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I'd consider using these instead. It would cost more, but a little more efficient.
Use 2x4's...they charge extra for 4x2's
Lmao whattt
Too funny
I like this yellow shirt guy... can we get him in more videos?
100%
Global Cycling Network 100% never did
Zach Wong i
@Roberto Cruz He was in the "pimp my commute" video.
I think hes the lovechild of Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. All thats missing is him trying to blow the roller up...
GCN, you need to recycle this video! Bring it back! I want to see Ollie making one of these and Hank riding it!!
How about a video on how to make a power metre from bits of string and gaffer tape ;-)
Mark Lucas I'm not sure that the strain gauges would be consistent enough with string. It's very temperature sensitive ;-)
Mark Lucas Try connecting an old electric DC motor as a generator and use a multimeter or voltmeter to measure the electricity you are generating, then convert it to watts knowing before the resistance of the system. After calibrating it properly, that should work, maybe.
+Global Cycling Network do as you please.
Vhy Edward
You need to watch some videos from Ichiban Moto. I think you'll fall in love.
2020, corona virus is here and I can't go out, time to build myself some fancy rollers!
TURST67 / Zäa yet same here buddy lol
Same dude haha
Same!
same!!!
Yup you got me
Watching this again after years, and still astonished at what a friggin' /machine/ The Brick is. Because holy smokes, I am still amazed at how he can manage on rollers that are barely 10" wide. That's keeping a straight line like nobody's business!
Your downstairs neighbors must love you.
😂😂😂
What you didn't stress at the 6:52 mark is the front roller should be directly under the front axle for most natural handling else the front wheel will steer in an off angle more easily than it should. Ah, dur.
Indoor training that feels like Off-road, awesome job guys :D
Last but not least, PINK never gone wrong on Lasty :p
Mathieu's Pro tip!!! Make a groove to make sure your inner tube stays on the right place.
I had a pair of home made rollers years ago that a friend had made, I cant remember all the details but I do remember that they used the yellow PVC gas pipe that utility companies use as the basis for the rollers- I think they plugged the ends with a metal cap/spindle. The frame was steel box section.
With the noise that thing produces ( the rollers not Tom), it would end in either fire, or divorce. Maybe both. But either way the missus won't have a rolling pin left to batter you with .
Maybe a flaming one.
Hi great video , You could use some pillow block bearings and metal rods through the rollers , you can buy these at Princes Auto in Canada or Harbour frieght in the U.S. or any automotive parts store. They are not expensive and you would just need some lag bolts and a hack saw to mount them .
i made my self one of these too. it only took a month before the rolling pins broke.
very helpful though. thanks for the video.
You could use manufacturing conveyor line rollers. They're typically made of good steel with decent bearings and can be found for pretty cheap. That's what I'm going to try and build them with. Many are 24" - 36" too so you have much more room to float on.
gcn is like: i just spent £5000 on the latest bicycle and now we need a roller! how can i save £50 by bodging together a rubbish roller that eats through my £100 tires in no time?
Ikr
Why would this fuck up you wheels would I fuck up moutin bike wheels
If wont kill your tyres, why should it. The only problem is see is that you are just gonna grind trough the axle of the rolling pins and maybe they will catch fire.
@TH-cam User And the fire will, as Chris put it, "eat through your £100 tires in no time."
I’m surprised they don’t have dihedral rollers to keep you in place lol
How about skipping the right angle brackets and screws- drill holes in the sides of the 2x4 frame to accept the rolling pin handles, and insert them as you assemble the frame...
Michael M even just using file to make a slight indentation would of been a huge improvement
Haha, nice! I'm way to excited to do this!
I'm thinking of altering the rollers to accept skateboard wheel bearings. Then use threaded rod to run through the rollers and be able to use washers and bolts to secure the rollers into the 2x4.
Thanks for the KISS plans. If you want to use better screws, try Robertson head screws. Made in Canada. Better grip, no slip.
I'm building my own cycling rollers like the same in the video..well, no technical improvement, just the same, but I decided to improve the aesthetics! I'm painting it satin white with red glossy rollers: Elite style! I also varnished the rollers with wood flatting so it may be less prone to wear and last longer.
Thank you GCN!
Could you please have your tester try a century on this? I am curious to see what happens when one (or more) of the rollers break or seize up.
what changes would you make for a Recumbent Trike Stand? Here's a suggestion for cheap rollers - Literally 1000's of Offset Printing Presses are getting shipped to the dumps or dismantled for parts and they have jumbo rollers that I think you could pick up for next to nothing.
You can use some used tube to reduce noise. For example patch tube at roller bottom to reduce noise from vibration, and it also give you some grip. The roller axis, you may patch a small used tube and put on the axis and then fix with screws and some hot glue or silicone glue to give more power to fix, it's properly can reduce a lot of noise from vibration.
👌👌👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍
Interesante y con herramientas y material básico.
pero cuanto les duro?
Las asas de los rodillos se quemaron por la fricción o se quebraron por el peso?
Interesting and with basic tools and materials.
But how long did it last?
Did the handles on the rollers burn from friction or break under the weight?
Thanks for sharing. Here's a challenge what would you do for a bicycle with 20" wheels? My son wants to join me in my studio for spinning along.
Thanks brother. Now I can treat my knee arthritis for less. More power to you.
Happy to help!
Awesome hack! I'll try to think of something cheap and available to replace those rolling pins, which can easily wear out due to friction... I really like your videos, congrats!
Would it be possible to drill a hole into the would and use the rolling pin handles to slot in? Curious as to why you're using 3 rolling pins instead of 4. Is it just for the cost or is the 4th rolling pin unnecessary?
I would suggest cutting a grove via the back and front of the rollers so the wheels fits in place. The problem is if you need to stop how do you keep your balance and from hitting the floor?
Hi there what size is the rolling pins please thankyou for your video THANKYOU im going to try to make this
what do you think about putting bearings for beter spin?.. I don't know will it be to easy to spin or what
Instead of cheese lids how about a couple of Oasis cd's?
Finally! A good use for oasis CDs!
This suggests at some point you both bought Oasis Cds. Lmao
Oasis if you’re in the UK, US residents can use Nickelback cds. 😉
I still have some AOL CD's I’ve been using as coasters. Until now.
I love it... But a few of questions: why can't you use four rollers... Two in the front as well? ... Why do you need the inner tube? Can't the bike keep the rollers going without the inner tube? Instead of using can lids (or, along with using them), have you considered carving in a groove on the rollers to keep the tube in place? Or, if that weakens the rollers too much, maybe placing heavy duty rubber bands or several layers off duct tape on the rollers to keep the tube from veering over too far? How much weight can this hold (not including the weight off the bike)? How many times did you fellas use this before it began falling apart? I'm looking at that table and thinking you could probably turn it upside down and make a bike trainer out of that. But I do love this idea. I'm seriously looking for a good DIY project to make a bike trainer so I can ride my bike inside in the winter months. Thanks, Guys!
I made this, but instead of wooden rolling pins, I used rollers from broken treadmills. The thing works like a dream. works great and only cost me 7.00 to make!
Hi, how do you build the 3 roller pieces? I saw it like a cooking roller but in my country it move in one piece. Thanks
What about resistance? Is it comparable with a normal outdoor cycling?
Just prop up the front a foot or! Instant hill.
Here are some suggestions, in approximate order of drasticness.
- Wrap a piece of rubber, maybe even pieces of old inner tube, around the rolling pin handles before mounting them to the frame, to isolate the pins vibrationally. That would make it a bit quieter.
- Mount the front roller more carefully, so that it is directly under the front axle. That way the front tire touches the pin exactly as it would touch a road. That should make the bike more stable.
- Make the rollers taper very slightly toward the middle. That would help keep the bike from wandering left and right. You may need a lathe.
- Attach some rubber screw-on feet to the underside of the frame at the corners. That would make the entire thing less wobbly, especially on carpet. The feet would compress the carpet and padding right underneath them, and make the entire thing more solid.
- Fabricate a front mounting bracket from plywood for the front fork. You would remove the front tire and quick mount the bike to the bracket. The bracket would be more trouble to build, but then you would only need one roller, a single one for the back wheel, and no belt drive. In fact, you don't even need the big frame. You just have a kind of stand for the front fork, and then a separate roller assembly for the rear. And of course, the bike would be totally steady.
- Add a sturdy rail at about hand height near the front, to steady you as you get on and off. (We can't all hop directly off the thing like our excellent hosts.)
- Don't use those rolling pins. Get some casters with ball bearings and mount them wheel-side up on the frame. Set some kind of cylinder, say a length of 4" PVC pipe, on top of the wheels. (And figure out some simple way to keep the cylinder centered on the casters. Quieter, less resistance and more durable. ( As somebody else suggests, you could use pillow block bearings and metal rods as axles, instead of the rolling pins, but you would have to build out the rods somehow to increase their diameter, and I can't think of an easy way to do that.)
pre drilling will still help to prevent the wood from splitting
Yeah, but with good screws you don't need to pre-drill :-)
Global Cycling Network good screws don't change physics. stick to the bikes and leave the carpentry to the carpenters
xnavigator they're screwing in soft wood, you don't need to drill pilot-holes in pine (which is what 2x4 are usually made from), it wont split as long as you drive the screw at least one inch from the edge
Global Cycling Network Ah, it's not about having good screws. If you pre-drill the outside holes so that the threaded part of the screw fits through the hole, just, it will have the effect of pulling the two pieces of wood together tighter than you can hold them, in the hope it will be a tight fit!! Good effort though, respect...
Excited to build one. I will get back to you soon !
Seeing people ride indoors makes me happy to live in a place with a 12 month riding season.
got an Elite Arion Mag Al13 (with resistance). Good to train on and with a km/h vs. Watt graph so I know what fx. 400W feels like. Like it a lot.
Question. Why you didn't put 2 rolling pin in front instead of 1. Wouldn't be more stable? Thanks
Tempted to give this a go, as seen as the rain isn't so much fun to go out in.
Why not use PVC pipe - one size inside a slightly larger size approx. the size of the rolling pin? Also, could you not cut grooves in the side wood pieces to fit the rolling pin handles or whatever one used, instead of the metal?
You guys are absolutely nuts! Those rollers are awful - not worth the $35.00 that you spent anthem. BUT WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR A VIDEO! Very entertaining.
First DIY I've seen w/o hot glue, I like it.
Could you attach a chain to some chain rings on each roller instead of a belt?
Great work guys, really awesome. Please excuse my ignorance but why a roller for the front tire is needed? Would someone just be able to just keep balance having the rear tire rolling or the bike needs both tires rolling at the same speed to create a gyro effect and be able to keep the balance? Thanks
+Manuel Rios You can do that way at start. Once you are comfortable it is better have both tire rolling as that is the purpose of using cycle rollers
Say James, what do you get for a bending stress in those roller axles?
There will be so many spectacular crashes thanks to this video! Great work GCN!
Nice camembert choice mate
Nothing but the best :-)
Have tried on my dads road bike with a massive chainring and a 26er XC MTB with a much smaller 3x chainring and I can not push the pedal past about 120° I know there is meant to be resistance, but wow it is hard to pedal. Would lubricating our rollers help?
LaughingJackass yes, it would help. How did it go?
Very very simple and very very util. Thanks!
Hey GCN, thanks for the great video. Request for next one... DIY bike stand please!
I can't think of how to make the rollers any cheaper than what the lads built. Easy to make better rollers with higher quality parts (ie: rolling pins). Hmmm, otherwise, maybe the Graham O'Bree washing machine bearings trick, perhaps???
I would put some old inner tube in between the roller handles and the 90 degree things, and also between the rollers and the frame, noise reduction u know also might mitigate some vibrations too!
hi gcn, today i received 3 conveyor belt rollers. they are absolutely frictionless, do you guys know any way to create friction without damaging the rollers itself? Thank you!
Hi there, having low friction rollers will be great - better than our efforts anyway! The friction will come from the belt (or inner tube) and your bike being on top of them. Let us know how you get on with your rollers, we'd love to see a picture of them when you're done.
Global Cycling Network Ill definitely will post a few pictures to your facebook! When I have assembled them, however in only have time in the christmas holidays so it will take a while. btw i thought maybe if that wouldnt be enough friction i might just assemble an old bikelight dynamo. Thanks for the response:)
nijerk13 Cool, we'll look forward to seeing them! A dynamo or similar could do the job, and if you're being super cunning about it, you could have adjustable locations for it to make the resistance easier or harder.
I'd like to know which conveyor rollers you bought for this endeavor. I'd like to try my hand at building one as well!
Would you guys say the measurement would work on a 29er though?
I notice the 29er isn't exactly consider to be most bikes yet
+Anthony Cruz 29 is same rim size as 700c, just add a bit for bigger tires
I already have a set of rollers but making them looks so fun i'm going to do it (even if they dont get used)
Use a little liquid soap on the screws to help them go in easier. I'd also use plumbing or electrical pipe hanger straps over the right angle clips.
Will you make an videos involving actual rollers ? I have been riding my own rollers this winter and would love some insight on the benefits and skills rollers provide.
It works !!! But I did it with conveyor rolls , but a challenge to keep a straight it may take some time
Would be a nice touch to use bike parts in the construction (other than an inner tube). Bicycle bearings (I guess bottom bracket would be the best bet), adjustable suspension components re-purposed for length adjustment or even incline simulation! Loads more possible I expect, although the £20 budget might get completely destroyed...
Great and innovative idea.I am a wheelchair racer.Can you think of a way to build rollers for sports wheelies.The commercials ones cost US$700/- Your help will be greatly appreciated.
You guys rock!!!! I'll surely have one of this when I get a bigger space.
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GONNA DO THAT THE NEXT WINTER FOR SURE!!!!!!!
What would happen if you didn't connect the back to the front? Would you still be able to ride them?
Do we have to use trainer tires or normal tyres , for riding on this ??
Cup & Cone has great improvement info , just to add to this comment , i would take the front wheel off , make a bracket to hold the front forks and the ride would be alot smother & alot safer .
Totally making these next weekend
will you need indoor tyres for these if you use them a lot?
AWESOME...ive had this same exact idea since the 80s lol. Well done
Thanks gcn for another great how to!
I'm will make this very soon!
Fantastic. All I would wish to see is to have the set painted and some cycling stickers affixed.
I don't have any 4x2. Will 2x4's work?
Hello,
what is the minimum diameter of the roller as I tried with rollers
diameter 4 centimeter (in French) or 25/32 in English it seems to me and
the rollers did not turn can you help me?
Is it possibile to use this specific rollers for training with a mountain bike? With normal mountain bike tires, not slick as road bikes.
probably my reply is a bit late but the rubber bumps on the mountain bike tire might make your bike rattle on a set of rollers
When going over the list of costs you forgot to mention the sheetrock dent repair you accumulated when you kept hitting the wall with the 2x4s. =P
Put some sort of surface, level with the bottom of the wheels, underneath the bike between the rollers, gives you a surface to stand on when (un)mounting.
What the difference between real rollers and the rollers you built. Can I still use these rollers as a trainer. Please respond
By looking at the wall 2:31, I would not recommend that you build them inside. :-)
Lol. Thats awesome.
Does this work on mountain bike or downhill bike? Cuz I really need to practice while it's raining
Very Nice from all cycliste Québec Canada keep on Rolling like a Roling Stone !!!
Can I upgrade to ceramic Speed rolling pins for reduced resistance?
How did U get the space between the rollers back?
Will using these invalidate my bike's warrantee if I were to fall off and crush it?
What else can you use besides the Cheese lids??
Can you tell me why i need the lids for rolling pins??
Hi guys, sorry for my bad english.
I need to know, this is helpulf or similar in a wheelchair indoor training?
Handy hint from an Australian (metric) hardware store worker: don't ask for 10cmx5cm, they'll laugh at you as pine framing doesn't come in that size. Ask for a 90x45, and make them think you know what you're doing ;)
Or just ask for a 4 by 2, and they'll give you a 90x45!
If you used metal rolling pins would that still wear away you road bike tyre?
A bit more than road riding, probably. However, you can always use an old crappy tire, or buy a cheap wire-bead trainer tire
Hey GCN! I just made one now but the thing is I cannot bike on it. I mean I can't pedal. It's really hard. What can I do?
I would love to see a DIY rear wheel cover. I have found a couple good ones o line but there are no good videos.
This is actually brilliant. How do you keep yourself warm AND in shape in the winter? Enter the GCN Survival Rollers. There's never been a faster, more convenient way to get a fire going!
Can you use these to practice wheelies?
I love this idea, I have just gotten back into cycling as a way to save money and I happen to have a 2"x4" frame that I pulled out of the rubbish bin on my back patio. Has anybody suggested using a set of rollerblade wheels inside of sch80 PVC pipe? you should be able to fine the correct size pipe and the wheels can be epoxied into the ends of the pipe. You may also be able to affix the wheels to the outside of the rolling pins, possibly even using the bracket from the rollerblade if it is made correctly. I will be attempting this build as I use my rolling pin for choc chip cookies and home-made noodles(the other reason I need to start cycling.)
Great Idea. why not double roller in front though? Cheers
+Russell Isaacs Using a single roller at the front gives you a little more room for error in your estimate of the wheelbase of the bike (and allows you to use different bikes on the same rollers, for that matter).
Question: why would you want the front wheel to spin, too? Why not place a block of wood under the front tire for more stability?