Bike Trainers vs. Rollers: Which One to Choose?

In this comparison of bike trainers vs. rollers, you learn their advantages, disadvantages, and which one to choose.

The main difference between bike trainers and rollers is that bike trainers hold your bike in a fixed position and provide you with resistance. Rollers allow your bike to move freely on cylinders and usually don’t provide any additional resistance. However, there are also rollers with resistance.

I used both, so I will also share my experience and useful tips on getting started.

Once you read this article, you will know which one to choose, depending on your training goals and preference.

Spoiler alert: One is not better than the other – it depends on your needs!

Let’s dive in.

NOTE: Bike trainers are also called turbo trainers. However, people mostly refer to wheel-on trainers when using ‘turbo trainers.’

How to Choose Between a Bike Trainer and Rollers?

Let me give you an example. Rollers probably won’t be the best option if you want to improve your sprints for criterium races because they are unsuitable for riding out of the saddle and don’t provide as high resistance as bike trainers.

If we take a closer look at the performance improvements, there are few studies comparing rollers and bike trainers. However, this study showed that training on rollers led to better results in a 10-km individual time trial.

Does it mean you have to get rollers to improve your performance? No. The above-mentioned study also confirmed that bike trainers also improve performance.

You must consider your needs and compare them with the pros & cons explained below. But don’t worry, I will guide you through.

Bike Trainers vs. Rollers: Pros & Cons

The following table summarizes the advantages & disadvantages of bike trainers and rollers. I explain them more in detail in the subsections below.

Riding Experience

Beginners may experience hard times on rollers because they require constant focus and keeping your balance. I remember my first time on rollers. It was so difficult not to fall. It took me a few rides to gain some confidence.

PRO TIP: Place your rollers in a door frame or near a wall so you won’t fall during your first attempts on them.

Thanks to the stability of bike trainers, they are much more beginner-friendly. They are also better for long, endurance workouts exceeding one or two hours because you don’t have to focus on stability all the time.

You likely last longer on a bike trainer because they are not as demanding in terms of concentration as rollers.

Resistance

One of the main differences between bike trainers and rollers is resistance. Especially high-end trainers can offer much higher resistance (2000W and more) than rollers or rollers with resistance. This makes them ideal for riders who want to improve their strength or train sprints, for example.

Rollers with resistance offer resistance levels of around 400W, but they are not suitable for riding out of the saddle due to their nature. The resistance is too low, and only skillful riders can keep their balance when sprinting out of the saddle on them.

Price

One of the main pros of rollers is their affordability compared to mid-range and high-end bike trainers. You can buy high-quality rollers (without resistance) for less than $200 and those with resistance for around $400.

For comparison, the prices of budget (wheel-on) trainers start at around $100, mid-range around $400, and high-end direct-drive trainers can easily exceed $1000 (check out the table below).

Portability

Bike rollers are more portable than turbo trainers. They are usually foldable, taking up less space than a bike trainer. This is a huge benefit for people with limited storage space.

Direct-drive (and also some wheel-on) trainers are much heavier and less portable. This is also one of the reasons why some riders prefer rollers for pre-race warm-ups.

Bicycle Compatibility

While rollers are compatible with virtually any bike type (their length is adjustable), bike trainers may not be compatible with your bicycle due to different attachment mechanisms and axle standards.

Make sure to double-check whether the turbo trainer is compatible with your bike or whether or not you need special adapters. Find out how to choose a bike trainer in my guide and how to set it up.

It is also worth noting that knobby MTB tires are noisier than road tires on rollers and wheel-on bike trainers.

3rd Party Apps Compatibility

With the increased popularity of indoor cycling apps, people like you are looking for the best solution for their indoor workouts.

Smart and interactive bike trainers are better for use with training apps like Zwift, ROUVY, RGT Cycling, etc. Thanks to their stability, you can focus on your training intervals and rest when needed.

Furthermore, rollers cannot adjust the resistance based on the training app so that you won’t get the interactivity element as with bike trainers. This makes bike trainers a clear winner for one hour plus workout sessions or virtual races.

Riders prefer rollers for shorter, high-cadence workouts focused on improving their pedaling technique.

Riding on rollers also feels more natural because the bike moves as if you were riding outside. This is not possible on a fixed trainer*.

*There are so-called rocker plates that move with you and the trainer, improving the overall riding experience. Learn more about them in the What is a rocker plate? article.

Bike Trainers vs. Rollers FAQ

Conclusion

Based on the comparison of the benefits and disadvantages of bike trainers vs. rollers, I came to the following conclusion:

I hope this article was helpful for you. Will you choose a bike trainer or rollers? Let me know in the comments below.