$50 Indoor Cycling Comfort Hack You Have to Try!

Q: Does this work for smart bikes as well?

I haven't tried this method, but if you have a smart bike , you can try these larger balance pads.

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One of the things I don’t like about indoor cycling is the ride comfort because it is often much worse than outdoors. Most trainers are static, which leads to saddle discomfort. I wrote about this phenomenon in my article Why use a rocker plate.

But rocker plates are often expensive and impractical. That’s why I tried a hack that started circulating on social media. I can confirm from my own experience that it works and won’t cost you more than $50!

KEY TAKEAWAY

To combat saddle discomfort and add another dimension to your indoor cycling, buy these Balance Pods and put them under your trainer. They will allow your trainer to move a bit, improving your riding comfort and forcing you to engage your core muscles more. However, they have a few disadvantages. You will learn more about them below.

Table of Contents

How and Why Do the Balance Pods Work?
Conclusion
Indoor Cycling Comfort Hacks FAQ

How and Why Do the Balance Pods Work?

Here is a short clip so you can see how the balance pods work when I am riding a trainer.

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Příspěvek sdílený CyclistsHub.com (@mycyclistshub)

The “air” cushion will allow your trainer and bike to move when pedaling. This will result in the saddle having a movement similar to riding outdoors (see gif below) and not acting like sandpaper you’re rubbing your butt against.

A simple illustration of a bike saddle movement when riding outside — An illustration of a saddle movement when riding outside

For best results, I recommend the following:

Experiment with pressure (higher pressure for heavy riders and lower pressure for lighter riders).
Use a front wheel riser to level off your bike. You can use this one from Kurt Kinetic. A stack of books can also help.

I don’t recommend this method for serious racing, as there is a risk that the trainer will slip off the pads, e.g., when you start sprinting, and you may lose your balance. On the other hand, this solution is ideal for long or easy rides.

Conclusion

I hope this indoor cycling comfort hack will help you ride more comfortably and increase your ride engagement. I feel more comfortable and relaxed during longer rides than riding a rigid trainer.

Share in the comments if you have tried this hack or if you have another one that could help the community.

CHECK PRICE (Small Pods)

CHECK PRICE (Large Pads)

Indoor Cycling Comfort Hacks FAQ

Is this $50 hack universal?

I tried this hack on a Wahoo KICKR, and depending on what trainer you have, it may not work as well. This is because the trainer is not secured by the pads and can slip. So, I recommend starting slowly and, eventually, ramping up your power/intensity as you feel more confident and learn the safe riding technique.

Does this work for smart bikes as well?

I haven’t tried this method, but if you have a smart bike, you can try these larger balance pads.

What else can I do to improve my riding comfort indoors?

I recommend occasionally getting out of the saddle to stretch and get blood flowing when indoor cycling. I also don’t ride without a fan. It helps me avoid overheating.
For more tips, you can read my article on How to improve indoor cycling comfort.

Is this hack safe, and does it affect the pedaling technique?

I contacted a professional bike fitter to answer this question. He replied with the following:
In general, it is the fixed position of the bike on the trainer that can cause injuries or accentuate existing problems. I see falling as the biggest risk, so you have to be careful.

The only thing I would check regularly is the fit and pressure in the pods so that the trainer doesn’t tilt significantly easier to one side, etc. I still occasionally use a Kinetic Rock and Roll trainer, where I have to calibrate rubber spring pads from time to time.

Rocker plates are generally a good idea, though, of course, they don’t simulate outdoor riding. When you pedal outdoors from the saddle, you tilt the bike to the left side. When you pedal with your right foot on a trainer, it happens the other way around (although it doesn’t look like that in the video; you obviously have it under control). The ultimate solution for home training is still rollers for me, but I approve of this too.

Does this hack affect the power output?

Yes, it is possible that this hack will affect your power, especially when sprinting. However, I didn’t notice any lower power output during normal riding.
Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out a way to test it properly. If you have any suggestions, please contact me.

11 Comments

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Alvis

1 year ago

Interesting tip, Petr. I will try it out!

Author

Petr Minarik

Reply to Alvis

Thank you. Cool, just be careful when going all out!
– Petr

Jarvis

This is so stupid!

Reply to Jarvis

Thanks for you constructive comment, Jarvis.
– Petr

Eve

I would never thought of this. It’s pretty creative, tbh. 😅

Reply to Eve

Yeah, it is! 😀
– Petr

Marcel

This is pretty cool! I have to try it. 😅

Ira Idelson

Will this hack work with a KICKR Snap?

Reply to Ira Idelson

Hi Ira, yes. Use 4 pods (one for each end of the leg). 🙂
– Petr

Bruce Byrd

Every time I read one of your posts, I come away with something new and interesting to think about. Thanks for consistently putting out such great content!

Reply to Bruce Byrd

Thanks, Bruce. I appreciate it!
– Petr

Hedgehog Rocker Plate: A $50 Indoor Cycling Comfort Hack You Have to Try!

How and Why Do the Balance Pods Work?

Conclusion

Indoor Cycling Comfort Hacks FAQ

About The Author

Petr Minarik

How and Why Do the Balance Pods Work?

Conclusion

Indoor Cycling Comfort Hacks FAQ

About The Author

Petr Minarik

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