Help me build a bike roller

[gtivr4]

So my wife needs a roller mechanism for her trike, and I want to build one for as cheap as possible. Actually scratch that, I already built it for as cheap as possible and it *****. The prototype is two Harbor Freight rollers ( http://www.harborfreight.com/12-1-2-half-inch-roller-and-bracket-set-30026.html ). The concept works, but the rollers are crazy loud, and not smooth at all.

So I need a better set of rollers or a new concept. With a trike its pretty simple since it doesn't need to be held upright or anything, and only one wheel at the back is moving. So what can you guys suggest?

Basically I want to make one of these:
http://www.terratrike.com/shop/accessories/sportcrafters-mini-roller-trainer/prod_29.html

 

[rsanter]

lets see what you built....

the roller you used are intended for low RPM and will not have precision bearings in them. which explains the noise

get some good quality surplus bearings (for cheap)
get tubing of the correct size
using wood, aluminum, or plastic you will need to make a spacer that will fit between the ID of the tubing and the OD of the bearing

if you have a lathe this will be easy, if you have a drill press you can still get it done.
if you have neither....good excuse to buy a tool

bob

 

[kbs2244]

What is the tread width you need?
PM me.
I have some rollers from a couple of treadmills I scrapped out that I am trying to dump.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I'd start with this roller. It's made for motorcycle wheels:

http://excel-equipment.com/titan-mo...-stand.html?___store=default&___store=default

 

[gtivr4]

Ooh, that could do the job as is! My only concern would be that its not meant for higher rpms, but its cheap enough that it could be worth just trying.

 

[pugh433]

I do think the above roller would work, I would not think that the ball bearings would fail at the rpms that they would be seeing. The only issue i would think is that there is no form of resistance and would be more like riding down a hill than a workout. Should you go this route, I would get some form bearing lube or speed cream on them.

 

[EdT]

Make a stand that holds the powered wheel off the floor and put a fanblde from an old boxfan on the wheel or arrange some simple way with flex shaft or something to drive a fan. In this situation, there's no particular advantage in driving rollers to drive a fan. One of those old rubs-on-the-tire headlamp generators provides a pretty good load and with a rheostat it could be adjustable.

 

[trexdoink]

I like EdT's ideas! Simple!

 

[usdemt]

What is the thing on the right hand side of the picture for that is running off of a small belt? Is that some sort of resistance thing?

 

[nissan_crawler]

What is the use for this?

 

[hawkeye2]

www.surpluscenter.com has lots of rollers -- cheap.

 

[GarageEnvy]

I like the idea above but if for some reason that doesn't work out, I'd think a couple of pallet jack wheels would be good if you're fabricating. They're heavy duty and wide with good bearings. Otherwise why not just mount some pillow blocks on a frame and run some rod and stop collars. If you can find any v-drive boat racers in your area they probably have a ton of 1" and 1 1/8" good quality rod (old prop shafts) they'd give you.

 

[Ign]

As much as I sometimes hate people saying check CL...........have you? Or must the rollers be narrow(er) than standard rollers? I don't know how Kreitlers hold their value, but I've got a set of Performance rollers w poly drums that were, of course, much cheaper than Kreitlers. Of course it'd be very difficult to shorten a poly roller yourself, which is why I ask about width.

Ya might even post a "wanted" on your local CL as many people might have rollers sitting in their closet and be willing to sell cheap.

Much of a cycling community in your area? Poke around at local bike shops, explain why you need it.........ya never know what will pop up.

 

[gtivr4]

As much as I sometimes hate people saying check CL...........have you? Or must the rollers be narrow(er) than standard rollers? I don't know how Kreitlers hold their value, but I've got a set of Performance rollers w poly drums that were, of course, much cheaper than Kreitlers. Of course it'd be very difficult to shorten a poly roller yourself, which is why I ask about width.

Ya might even post a "wanted" on your local CL as many people might have rollers sitting in their closet and be willing to sell cheap.

Much of a cycling community in your area? Poke around at local bike shops, explain why you need it.........ya never know what will pop up.

The problem with that is most bike rollers are different than trike rollers. Bikes have bigger wheels, need support etc.

 

[Ign]

The problem with that is most bike rollers are different than trike rollers. Bikes have bigger wheels, need support etc.

You're just looking for rollers and you're building the rest right? So you just need parts? So I don't understand how getting some round drums w bearings on the end from a set of actual rollers is different than putting together some pipe/tube/whatever w bearings on the end?

Bikes have bigger wheels but since you're building this, you can space the rollers any distance apart you want. The diamter of the rollers is mostly unimportant (altho it does affect resistance).

I'm saying look for a "parts" roller. Maybe a set of Kreitlers that's been partially damaged, but you can salvage it. Maybe only the drum for the front wheel was driven over, or the frame was somehow damaged during a move.

No, bikes don't need support, that's the whole point of rollers - simulates actually riding. I can ride mine w no hands, but damn if I can get started on them w/out leaning on a step stool.