How to Make Cycle Rollers
Cycle rollers turn your bicycle into a stationary bike. They are popular training tools for cyclists who want to train indoors on their own bike, rather than an exercise bike. That way, training sessions are done with the same bicycle frame geometry, the same seat, the same peddles -- everything is where you expect it to be. The rollers are little more than a frame for two (some designs use three) conveyer belt cylinders or rollers. The back tire is cradled between the rollers; the front tire is placed against the wall, and you balance just like riding on the street with the back tire cable of moving side to side along the roller.
Things You'll Need
- 2-inch perforated angle iron
- Short bolts, washers and locking nuts
- 2-inch square steel tubing
- 2 or 3 conveyor belt rollers
- Drill press
- Steel-cutting drill bit
Instructions
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1
Measure your conveyor belt rollers. For this example, we'll use a width of 24 inches. Cut two sections of angle steel stock with round perforated holes, used for industrial shelving. Use 2-inch flanges. You may be able to find this at home centers or may need to order it from a welding supply store. Use a cutoff wheel and angle grinder to make your cuts.
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2
Cut two more sections of angled shelf steel 30 inches long.
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3
Cut four pieces of square steel tube stock 2-inches -- the same height as your angle material.
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Lay your angled material on a work table in a rectangular pattern so the vertical flanges of the 90-degree angled flanges is on the inside of the rectangle. Set your 2-inch square tube pieces in each of the four corners vertically. These will become the fasteners for your corner.
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Mark through the corner holes onto the 2-inch squares with permanent marker -- one hole for each edge of all four corners, or eight holes.
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Drill the holes you marked with a drill press and steel-cutting drill bit. Use a bit the same diameter as your holes.
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Bolt the corners or your brackets to the 2-inch square pieces, forming a solid frame for your rollers. Use washers and nylon locking nuts to ensure the mechanical connection does not come loose as the rollers are used.
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Bolt two conveyor belt rollers through the holes in the frame. The rollers will span the 2-foot width, be parallel with the edges of the frame and approximately 10 inches apart from one another -- enough distance for the back tire to be cradled between them.
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Place the front tire in the corner of a wall or secure it against a flat wall; place the rollers under the rear tires.
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Tips & Warnings
You can make an extended version with a third roller that sits just in front of the axis of your front wheel, though these are harder to ride. Consider making a frame large enough to accommodate a three-roller design; add the third roller after you have some experience with two. Adding a third roller replaces the function of securing the front wheel against a corner.
Unlike stationary bikes, rollers require skill and experience to operate. Be careful as falling off rollers is not uncommon for new users.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
