Introduction: DIY Bike Rollers
DIY Bike Rollers from Jason Sauers on Vimeo.
Some people prefer stands and other types of trainers over rollers, but to me there are a few appealing aspects of rollers vs others:
More enjoyable
Faster / more intense Workouts
More challenging / engaging
Better all-over body workout
No adapting or installation - just set the bike on and go
Some may argue that it isn't worth the cost (a new set can be bought ~ $200) and time to build your own, but that can be said about almost anything-
I enjoy building things, I had all the materials that I needed, and it only took a weekend to build.
The building isn't particularly challenging, so long as you are familiar with basic construction / projecting techniques, and have access to the necessary tools and materials.
I would not however suggest this as a first project, or for someone who does not have experience with similar projects.
P.S. I do not intended for this to be a set of step-by-step construction plans, as I feel that those who will likely have success in completing a project like this will be able to easily fill-in the b_a_ks that I may leave.
P.P.S. This is another homebuilt setup (much more sophisticated than mine) that I didn't find until writing this - however for me the free-motion feature isn't very important :
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/196027-Home-Made-Free-Motion-Roller-Assembly?highlight=home%20made%20free%20motion%20rollers
Step 1: Parts and Materials
Again- my goal is not to create a set of building plans, but rather lay out some suggestions for others to build off of.
I know that there are improvements and tweaks that others will find as they build their own which will result in better and diverse versions.
Some material suggestions:
'
3" PVC pipe 3pcs @ 18"
8ft of low stretch webbing - or tubing, rope etc
6+ Ball Bearings
Steel Rod 3pcs @ 21"
Screws
Plywood
Dimensional Lumber - or other material for frame
Traction tape
Step 2: Dimensions
The roller width can be as wide - or narrow as you'd like, but unless you have very good balance, I wouldn't recommend less than 14 or so inches. I built mine 18 inches wide.
The distance between centers on most adult bikes are fairly similar - but you may want to build the rollers to the bike you plan on using on it. Making it adjustable is also an option, but didn't seem necessary to me - I have rode four different bikes from full suspension downhill, to road racing on it and no adjustment was necessary
The rear tire will be centered halfway between the rear two rollers, and the center of the front wheel should be slightly behind the center of the front roller. So if your bike is 51.5" center to center, add a couple inches and make it 53.5" or ( (11 / 2) + 38)
Step 3: Rollers
You can also use logs if you like a rougher - more off-road feel
see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKEHoA_xl-U
I cut rings of the 3" pvc and used them to create a channel to restrict the webbing from walking around on the roller
Step 4: Bearings
The skate board bearings are pressed in to plywood discs that fit snugly into the PVC, and are then held in place with a few countersunk flat head screws.
I cut the plywood discs using a jigsaw, and then sanded them to the compass mark
The recess can be made using a paddle bit of forstner bit
I then made retainers out of big fender washers to hold the bearings tightly
If possible, the bearings should be pressed into the discs tightly, if the bit you use doesn't allow for this, epoxy may be necessary to keep them from potentially wearing or slipping in the wood
Step 5: The Frame
The frame is pretty simple - you need two long pieces of material to hold the axles off the ground, and something to separate them the appropriate distance from one another.
I added a little standing platform on both sides just to make it easier to get on and off - but it isn't necessary
2x4 studs or other common materials will work fine - you certainly don't need to use hardwood like is pictured in mine
You will also want a way of pinning the axles so that they don't turn or try working their way out while moving.
Note the notch in the middle cross pieces to accommodate the webbing
Step 6: The Missing Link
The front roller should be connected to the middle roller so that it in turn spins the front wheel.
I chose to use some 1" webbing, since I had some lying around. Lots of different things could be used for this however, rope, rubber tubing, rubber strapping, etc. The important thing is that you can get it tight, and so that it doesn't slip on the rollers.
It is easiest to figure out how long it needs to be by assembling the frame and rollers, and then measuring and marking directly. It is also better to make it a touch small so that it will be tight when you put it together
The belt is a single piece of webbing - with the two ends overlapped and joined together.
The joint is preferably sewn, but gluing should also work - see comments on pic
Step 7: Putting It All Together
A clamp may help with stretching the strap to get everything to go together properly - a test assembly with-out the strap should tell you that everything is lining up properly before taking it apart and installing the strap.
I built mine without the stepping plates first, and then decided to add them afterword
They aren't necessary, but are nice
Some people also like the security of wheels on top to prevent the bike tire from tracking off the edge of the rollers - often seen on the free-motion setups - I didn't feel them necessary
It is nice to assemble the frame with strictly screws or bolts - as you may want to take it apart later to adjust, transport, etc.
Hope you found this helpful - Have fun if you do decide to build your own, and go get some exercise. For both your body and your creativity.
Step 8: Other People's Builds
I know of at least a couple people who have created their own version of a bike roller setup, and this step's goal is to highlight some of those other builds.
dhouggy also created an instructable, and those steps are visible here: https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-roller-trainer/
fuj1b1ke's build is shown below in some of the pictures

Grand Prize in the
Fitness Challenge
78 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
Bought bearings from ebay, $1.50 each, pvc pipe from the local hrdwr. store and cut discs from oak ply I had on hand. The rollers are assembled with bearings, looking good, so off the the hardware store for 3/8" steel rod. OH CR*P!! Turns out hardware store rod is "roughly" 3/8". Not only is it oversized but not perfectly round either and won't fit the bearings. A 3/8" drill bit fits the bearings perfectly. Did you use 3/8" drill rod or luck into hardware store rod with proper dimensions.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
The 3/8" rod I used was from the hardware store - I would take one of the bearings you have to a couple different stores and try checking for fit. Some hardware stores also offer galvanized steel rod - which may also be worth checking. Worst case I guess you could order a length online - the rod that mcmaster sells says that it is .003" undersized which should work fine. Good Luck
Reply 1 year ago
this might be a dumb question but does the rod just rotate freely in the 3/8" hole in the middle of the bearing? or is there something that needs to be done to have the rod snug and tight in that hole? I'm not super familiar with how bearings work...
1 year ago
Instead of using wood for the disks I 3D printed them! Great instructable. I should finish mine this weekend
3 years ago on Step 8
Great job you could also use the roller from an old lawn mower, treadmill or if cheap enough rolling pins ( kitchen ). Great presentation.
11 years ago on Step 6
Can you (or anyone else) explain why the front wheel needs to spin ?
Reply 5 years ago
Mabye it just simulates biking for real?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
If the front wheel isn't spinning, it is extremely difficult to stay upright
(this essentially happens if the belt jumps off the roller or becomes overly slack)
There are two main reasons that I can identify:
1- If the front tire is not turning, it will not want to track side to side, and you wont be able to steer or balance well (you could set something up to hold the front fork fixed and steady, but then you would essentially have a stationary trainer)
2- The added gyroscopic effect of the spinning front wheel helps you to balance. Rollers are reasonably difficult to ride on even with both wheels spinning... trust me. It takes a bit of practice
Let me know if you need further clarification
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Hi Sky,
nice stuff here--I'm prepping to do a version of this. But where did you find 3/8" bore bearings to be able to fit 3/8" rod? All the skateboard bearings I've found are 8 mm or 0.31"...
Thanks,
Sam
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
The bearings I used were not actual skateboard bearings, but 3/8" ID bearings I had left over in my shop from something else.
If you want 3/8" ID bearings, it looks like you can get them off ebay for ~$2 each
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-R6-ZZ-Ball-Bearings-3-8-x-7-8-ID-Bore-375-inch-875-/130253727695?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e53ba27cf
dhouggy used actual skateboard bearings in his build - you might want to check it out if you haven't already: https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-roller-trainer/
I guess my suggestion is to use whatever is easily accessible and fits within your budget - Im sure you can come up with a more clever solution than mine.
Post some pics and send me a link when you finish it. I'd like to see it.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
tnx!
5 years ago
Hi. This project will be very useful once I have built it, but I have one query. I am just checking to see if you can adjust the resistance the rolling road puts on the wheel. If not would you please give me a comparison of what the resistance is similar to. Thanks
6 years ago
good
7 years ago on Step 1
wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow
8 years ago on Step 6
A rotating wheel adds stability through gyroscopic precession. Check out this video for more explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeyDf4ooPdo
8 years ago on Introduction
Awesome. All you need is a low-friction generator and you can charge your smartphone.
9 years ago on Introduction
nice homemade roller. how long did you build?
I have also build roller, but it is metal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuokBHPx2Mo
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks. It was more than a couple years ago now, but I think that I built them in two evenings after work. I like yours also - At the time I had access to free lumber - If I were to make another set, It might be quicker to use Metal angle or tubing as you have. Cost might be higher for metal, depending on your source. Thanks for sharing
9 years ago on Introduction
Please could you email me some pictures of you DIY bike roller without the bike on so I can have a go at making it? email: kirkpatrickaj2008@hotmail.com. Thanks,
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Are you looking for something different than this: ?
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Bike-Rollers/step2/Dimensions/
Let me know -