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Kreitler
Challenger Rollers
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Submitted by
Brent
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID, USA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lotoja | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | from Kreitler | | Strengths: | What to say, they are great. Incredible workout. Your balance becomes very precise, toning the muscles used to maintain balance. Great for staying in shape when the ice is on the ground. | | Weaknesses: | A little challenging the first few rides of the year, but pretty quickly you find the groove. | | Bike Setup: | Lightspeed | | Bottom Line: | I've owned these for 8 years. Used to use them with a recumbent, switched to my road bike this year as I have been doing a lot more road riding. Had on issue a few years back with one of the rollers (after 5 years), sent it to Kreitler and it was promptly replaced. Definitely recommend the Headwind, and the flywheel which keeps the wheels rolling for a short time even if you stop pedaling. These are great, still enjoy them after all these years. You
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a
from Opelousas, LA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Licltons | | Strengths: | Fantastic....super smooth, sturdy, a superb quality piece of equipment!! | | Weaknesses: | None....only the rider :) | | Similar Products Used: | Stationary fluid trainer....absolutely hated to ride it...love to ride the rollers! | | Bike Setup: | Waterford 2200 Dura-ace group, Ksyrium SSLs
Waterford 2200 Record 10 group, Dave's Aero Speed Dreams | | Bottom Line: | Could kick myself for not purchasing rollers 2o years ago...the scare-hype of riding off, and riding into the next room is definitely hype. After two 30 minute sessions, I'm able to ride 25-30 minutes without touching walls, etc. My balance was noticably improved immediately after the two sessions...If you want to increase your spin and balance, get rollers TODAY!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Brewster NY USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere within 2 hours | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$411.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeman.com (Bath Cycle) | | Strengths: | This review is from a newbie point of view in using trainers. I have only been using this one for 2 weeks. Some of the reviews intimidated me a little as far as the skill needed for rollers. I will try and relay my experience as a first time user. I will say that I have never used another trainer. I bought this one ( Challenger ) with the Headwind unit after research and reading the reviews. It is rock solid and from tearing open the box to spinning on top was only 30 minutes. I was hesitant about this model as the some reviews intimated that it might be to easy. I didn't want to go with the smaller drums for a harder workout because everyone said that it was easier to learn on the 4.5 inch ones. For more serious training I bought the headwind attachment for resistance. For anyone thinking of buying one I will say this. Quality A++. The effort without the Headwind seems roughly analogous to level ground. Unlike level ground you can't coast, you will come to a stop in a matter of seconds. There is a flywheel attachment that will store the energy for a more realistic feel, although I have not tried it. Thanks to other reviewers comments I know not to use my brakes and flat spot the tires as the rollers keep turning. Iniatially I felt a little higher off the ground than I would have expected. My wife at 5' 2" was at first a little intimidated by this. As to the learning curve for first timers. I set mine up by a low stair railing so that I could hold on and get up to speed. I think that really helped me get used to it. It was good to have something to hold on to if I felt I was getting unstable. Yes, I did run off a couple of times, so don't set it up 2 feet from your big screen. Truthfully though I was relitivly confidant after about 20 minutes. I have heard some reviewers mention it was boring. Maybe the novelty will wear off, but right now I like being able to put on the stereo and just hammer. Hey it's nice not to try and sneak out of work early to get in a training ride before dark. Lastly the sound level. The rollers themselves make almost no noise. The inverted tread tires I put on are noiser than I thought (not that loud though) so I will be mounting slicks. These things are never discounted, so here's a plug for Bikeman.com. I paid 411$(Challenger + Headwind ) including shipping from them, instead of the usual 450$ plus shipping. | | Weaknesses: | No excuse not to train because it's snowing.
Price? But hey, you get what you pay for in this case. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Marin hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Although ,as I stated, I have not used another trainer I would not hesitate to reccomend this one. You feel like you are really riding. Using rollers effectivly forces you to smooth out your spin, so not only do you get a workout you get better at riding. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stimmer
a Cross Country Rider
from Watertown, MA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Very well built, smooth, quiet... | | Weaknesses: | nope. | | Similar Products Used: | trainers, performance rollers. | | Bike Setup: | FS mtb, road bike | | Bottom Line: | A truly superior product. As many before have noted, Kreitlers are the best made/engineered rollers available. I bought mine used, and have used them 2.5 years regularly...very dependable.
NOW, I'm not looking to defend Kreitler as his product can more than defend itself. My BEEF is with the last reviewer. Just b/c he can't stand on rollers to relieve pressure on his "sore" parts doesn't merit a lower rating for these rollers or any other rollers for that matter. The weakness is with the RIDER. Rollers, of all kinds, can easily be stood on with some practice. AM I THE ONLY ONE HE GETS BENT FROM THESE STUPID STATEMENTS? Rate the freakin' product, not your ability to use, or NOT be able to use the product.
Just scratching my head, just scratching my head over people who don't seem to have the ability to comprehend and analyze....... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne F
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagan, MN
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | I am a roadie. City streets for me ;) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$455.00 | | Strengths: | Solidly built. Quiet as can be. Have to love the Lifetime warrnaty ;) BTW the price was for both the Challengers and the Killer head wind. | | Weaknesses: | None at this time | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale R700 USA Special Edition | | Bottom Line: | You want to work on you pedal stroke. This rollers are about the only way to get a nice smooth efficent pedal stroke. I used it for two day for 1 hour once and 30 minutes the next. On my next ride my legs didn't hurt as much. I could tell my spin was getting much better since starting to train on the trainer. It felt nice. Now i need the flywheel and i am set :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Farmington, CT
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Case Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Biker's Edge | | Strengths: | You get to focus on your spin and balance as well as endurance. With the " killer headwind " it's the closest to riding outside. | | Weaknesses: | You can't do standing sprints, or one-legged workouts on rollers. At least I can't. Don't throw away that wind trainer. | | Similar Products Used: | a wind trainer | | Bike Setup: | Seven Axiom - full Campy | | Bottom Line: | Since I got these rollers I haven't minded training indoors. I do think you need the " killer headwind " to get that brutal tempo workout. Plus the headwind blows wind on your body, just like the outdoors. I still use my wind trainer for sprints and one-legged workouts, but I look forward to using the rollers. I also noticed my average cadance went from 83 to 90 since using rollers. Awesome training tool. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamed Mauro
a
from Powder Springs, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any mountainous road | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | The Kreitler Rollers are smooth, quiet, and durable. In all the years I've had them (15), I only had to replace the belt once (because the neighbors kid was messing around with it). They are very well constructed and I wouldn't even consider another brand. A fine example of American craftsmanship! Dealing with Al is also great. I also like the fact that I can use my cycling computer to record my riding stats. | | Weaknesses: | I had the fork stand once but didn't like it because it offered much less resistance. OTher than that, none. Sometimes it takes a lot of motivation to get started because riding them requires a bit of concentration, but that is actually beneficial. | | Similar Products Used: | Minoura wind trainer... didn't like it. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 custom fitted (at the factory in Italy) Tommasini Fire with Full Campy Ergo 10 Speed Grouppo. | | Bottom Line: | I've been using the alloy Al Kreitler Customer Rollers for about 15 years. I only use them in the winter, but manage to put about 500 miles per year on them using my road bike. I wouldn't even consider another type of wind trainer. I bought a Minoura wind trainer once and returned it on the same day. You also get bragging right because it's hard to ride on rollers. If you can ride rollers, you get the best cardiovascular workout, and even without resistance, you get a damn good workout becuase you have to pedal fast to stay up. Only rollers teach you balance and improve your ability to pedal in circles. I should also mention that the one time I contaced Al (via e-mail) we had a nice correspondance (directly between the two of us) and he replaced the broken belt no questions asked. A very pleasurable experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Ryan
a Racer
from Los Gatos, CA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Braille Trail SDF (N. California) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Durable, ease of assembly, flexability | | Weaknesses: | Retail price | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD3, XTR, 747s, Fatty SL, WTB seat, Mavic 517
Cannondale XS800, Cyclocross, 105, WTB seat, Mavic Open | | Bottom Line: | I purchased these rollers on eBay after reading the reviews posted here. I am not disappointed. After unpacking I was able to assemble with no trouble.
I purchased the Challenger frame, rollers, track stand, and headwind fan as part of the auction.
I am very happy with the setup. It is setup on my back porch which has a nice view so daytime riding/training is somewhat eventful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keyser Soze
a Weekend Warrior
from New Mexico
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | www.coloradocyclist.com | | Strengths: | Quality construction, smooth ride, great support from Kreitler. | | Weaknesses: | None. OK one weakness... When I ride them, they make me tired :o) | | Similar Products Used: | Based on the reviews here and elsewhere, I didn't even consider anything else. | | Bike Setup: | Giant XtC DS2 | | Bottom Line: | The world would be a better place if every product was as well built and backed by the manufacturer as Kreitler Rollers.
You can tell just by looking at them that they are well constructed, and riding them only proves the point. They are super smooth and quiet. I'm convinced that they have improved my spin, balance, and ability to ride a straight line, something I wouldn't expect from any non-roller trainer.
Al Kreitler really stands behind the product. He personally responded to my questions by email, and I could tell that he really cares about customer service and the quality of his products.
Neither myself nor my wife found them difficult to learn to use. I was up and riding within 5-10 minutes. Al recommends that you ride them in a doorway or narrow hallway while you are learning so you can catch yourself if you loose balance.
I would recommend that you buy some cheap slicks. MTB tires are loud and the rollers will eat the knobbies off of them pretty quickly. I would also recommend the optional "Killer Headwind" fan attachment for added resistance.
After two seasons of use, I couldn't be more happy with this product. They are more money, but worth every dime. Good job Al! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a Cross Country Rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | any one where I am the lone rider | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | very smooth, very durable, quiet. Nice if you live an apartment. | | Weaknesses: | If you purchase via conventional outlets, the weakness would be price. I bought one year old rollers on e-bay in excellent condition. No other weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | cheapie pvc rollers (boy do they make noise!), Cycle Ops Fluid Trainer, Kinetic Fluid trainer, Vetta fan trainer, Blackburn mag trainer | | Bike Setup: | Trek 5200 | | Bottom Line: | If you want to work on spin and balance, don't screw around with any other roller. There are some other great trainers such as the Kinetic Fluid trainer to help you, but they can also stress your frame. If you're thinking rollers, this is the unit to get. I would strongly recomend the fan option.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | tatoodrew@hotmail.com | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | so smooth, well made | | Weaknesses: | now I need a road bike | | Similar Products Used: | standard trainers | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain with Specialized slicks | | Bottom Line: | These are a friends rollers that I borrowed. He let me try them when I was having trouble with my trainer (Minora). Rollers are the only way to go, and everybody says Krietler's are the best. The only disadvantage is price, especially after I buy the road bike to go along with it. I'm going to get a set as soon as I sell my trainer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant David
a Racer
from Golden, CO, Jefferson
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tipperary Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Turin Cycles, Denver | | Strengths: | Smooth, built very well. i.e. bearings, frame, aluminum drums. | | Weaknesses: | I had to purchase the Killer Headwind Fan to get the REALLY hard work out that I wanted with my mountain bike. With the fan, the sky is the limit. | | Similar Products Used: | Performance rollers. --Not as good. | | Bike Setup: | I use my Mt. Tam and a Zaskar on them. I don't run knobbies. I put on my City Slickers or likewise. With knobbies, it's uncomfortable and louder...but easier to steer. | | Bottom Line: | So far they have been awesome. Like I mentioned, I had to get the headwind fan to really make me work, but after that, I got what I wanted. This is a great company and I would reccommend spending the extra $ because I've heard some great stories about warranties being attended to even 10 years after purchase and from normal wear and tear. You get good at them quick. Can stand, sit up etc. but don't try to bunny hop on them. I often do that to get off them, but trying to land back on the rollers is not smart. Ouch. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Herb
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chicago, Illinois
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
the one where you ain't! | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Quality construction, precision, You'll be cussing Al all winter long... but thanking him come Spring | | Weaknesses: |
You'll be cussing Al all winter long, but thanking him come Spring | | Similar Products Used: |
don't bother! | | Bike Setup: |
Rigid MTB w/ slicks | | Bottom Line: | Look at the reviews on Kreitler rollers -- it's unanimous! Don't waste your money on anything less! I've used mine, on and off, for about 5 years, and am still impressed with how well these work. Someone once told me that if you use these for even one month, you'll be a better rider FOR LIFE! You'll go out riding straight as an arrow in spring. I suppose these would be even better for roadies, but I use mine with a rigid MTB w/ slicks, and it seems to work out pretty well. A road bike would probably be more stable. It takes a while to learn to use these, but it't the best training tool in the business. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Salmon Falls | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
smooth, quiet (although this is a function of the tires you run too)and they don't twist and torque your frame the way stationary trainers do. Besides they'll teach you to spin smooooth. If you think you have a nice smooth spin, try riding a short, steep track bike on rollers with no hands... then you'll find out if you really do or not. | | Weaknesses: |
Big bucks... even way back in 1980 when I got mine. Of course that's a significant testimony to their quality too... mine are 19 years old and still running smooth as ever. | | Bottom Line: | Kreitler is the Phil Wood of rollers. Just like Phil's hubs, buy a set of Kreitlers and your grandkids will be able to train on them and probably their grandkids too. I need to replace the belt every 3-4 years and that's it. Just as an aside. I keep my old fairly worn road tires to use on the rollers because believe it or not, rollers wear tires fairly quick, and its a waste to use your good tires on rollers since there's nothing to run over and you never need to turn. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MATT WINSTEAD
a cross-country rider
from ALABAMA
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
JUST GOT THE ALLOY ROLLERS FOR CHRISTMAS. SO FAR I REALLY LIKE THEM. BEFORE YOU RID E GO GET A GOOD FAN SO YOU DONT SWEAT LIKE A PIG. IT TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO BUT HANG IN THERE I LEARNED IN ONE DAY. ANYWAY THEY ARE SUPERSMOOTH AND FROM THE WEBSITE SOUND LIKE A VERY PERSONABLE COMPANY WILLING TO FIX WHATEVER BREAKS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THESE TO ANYONE WHO CANT OR DOESNT WANT TO TRAIN IN THE COLD DARK OF WINTER. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a cross-country rider
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Damn are these things hard to get used to...I never could.
Rollers are definitely a roadie-only item. If you don't have a super smooth spin, or really want to develop one don't get these, get a different type of trainer. I had my Kreitler's for about 2 days, had to take them back. Just about killed myself. This is, however, entirely due to my screwed up riding style. As far as rollers go the construction is definitely top notch, and I can see these easily lasting a lifetime.
So if you're a roadie or roadie who does a little offroad, get these. If you ride an MTB or just do a little road work, or just spastic like me, get a Cyclops stationary.
Bottom line, if you're going to bother with rollers...get good ones, and these are the best I have seen. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pikabike
a cross-country rider
from CO
Date Reviewed: December 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These rollers are solid, ultrasmooth, quiet, durable, and replacement parts are available directly from Kreitler.My first set of rollers were some used Cortinas with hollow drums that howled like banshees. They were also lumpy. I swallowed hard and paid the $250 for the Kreitlers (early '80s) and have never regretted my decision.The Kreitlers stood up to several race-training seasons, including a couple of winters in which I did formal intervals. I still use them for smoothing out style/technique even though it's been a long time since I raced. If you intend to ride a lifetime, these are the rollers to buy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Indian Joe
a cross-country rider
from Mescalero, New Mexico
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
If you ride the new wave slick tires or ride in slick conditins you owe it to yourself to get some rollers. There is nothing you can do off a bike and little on the bike.....that will improve your bike control skills like rollers will. The can be intimidating at first but hang in there. Once you get the hang of it they are alot of fun.....training fun? Your skills will improve faster than you can imagine. If the price of Kreitler is hard to deal with, do what I did. I bought some Tacx rollers from Excel. $99 and very decent quality....better than the Cyc-lops equivalent. One big advantage is that rollers allow you to get out of the saddle to practice sprints. At first this is very tricky but once you get the hang of it, it becomes one of the great advantages of rollers....that and they are easy on your frame. Get some!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Pechacek
a weekend warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought some Kreitler rollers several years ago...I must admit
that they are not quiet...but then again I have meaty MTB tires
so you get to hear all of the tread friction. Anyway, my
neighbor has some too and I can't recommend a better trainer.
You are not connected to anything and it is very difficult to
ride. (yes this is a positive aspect, if you get thrown off your
bike and into a wall, you learn real quick how to be a technical
rider) Ever ride along a thin single track along a huge cliff like
the Fun Zone in SoCal or Teocalli Ridge in Crested Butte?
This trainer will help you keep it strait at any speed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean ONeil
a cross-country rider
from morristown, nj
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just got a set of Challengers. Smooth? Like you can't imagine. Quiet? No complaints yet from my neighbors, and I don't even hear them myself. Hard to ride? sure, a little, at first. Solid? Like a bank vault. As Al Kreitler's ad says, the bitterness of poor quality lasts long after the sweetness of low price disappears. These rollers crush my Minoura Magturbo on four fronts: (1) overall quality; (2) quietness; (3) ride skill improvement; and (4) reduced bike/frameset stress. You have no idea how smooth a rider you are (or need to be) until you ride rollers. They are four or five times more sensitive than even a rainslick road. Buy some, you won't be sorry... and those who eat your dust will. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Breckner
a cross-country rider
from Hastings, Nebraska
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
When I was shopping for a set of rollers I wanted them to be quite, and smooth.
Kreitler's are both, and very well made. I would recommend them to anyone. Remember when it comes to rollers you get what you pay for.
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