Track Cyclists and Rollers: The Perfect Match for Warm-Ups and Training

I used to think rollers were just for show.

Some flashy trick to make track cyclists look like circus performers before a race.

Then I tried them. And I realized—these things aren’t just training tools; they’re a damn test of your soul.

Rollers aren’t like trainers. Trainers strap your bike in and let you hammer away in place like a hamster on a wheel.

Rollers, though? They demand balance, focus, and the ability to keep your cool when your front wheel drifts towards disaster. They’re the difference between a man pedaling and a man riding.

Now, if you’re here wondering whether you should get rollers or a trainer for the winter, let me save you some time: it depends. But before we get to that, let’s talk about why track cyclists swear by these things.

1. Track Bikes Are Single-Speed, and That Changes Everything

You ever try sprinting at 200 RPM? No? Good. Because it’s a brutal, leg-searing hell. Track cyclists live in that world. Since they can’t shift gears, they train their muscles to spin at insane cadences. Rollers help with that. No resistance. Just pure, unfiltered leg speed.

2. Warm-Ups Need to Be Fast and Flexible

Track racing isn’t like a road race where you have 100 miles to ease into the suffering. You need to be on fire from the gun.

Rollers let riders hop on, spin up, and get the blood moving fast—without needing to set up a heavy trainer or find a power outlet in the middle of a velodrome.

3. Portability is King

Hauling a 20kg smart trainer to the infield of a velodrome is the kind of pain no one wants.

Rollers? They fold up. Some even fit in a suitcase. No power cords, no calibration, no nonsense. Just unroll, hop on, and go.

4. Technique, Not Just Power

Here’s something your average watt-obsessed roadie doesn’t think about: balance.

Trainers let you turn off your brain and mash. Rollers force you to engage your core, stay smooth, and develop real bike-handling skills.

You get better at holding a straight line, staying centered, and not flailing like a fish when the pace kicks up.

5. Rollers Feel More Like Riding (and That Keeps You Coming Back)

Ever try sitting on a trainer for an hour? It’s like being locked in a basement with a treadmill and a motivational speaker.

Rollers at least feel like riding a real bike. There’s movement. You’re engaged. You find that sweet spot where pedaling becomes meditation. That’s why some people actually enjoy them.

6. The Cool Factor is Real

Let’s be honest—there’s something badass about effortlessly rolling onto a set of rollers, spinning up to 120 RPM, and then casually coasting off like it’s nothing.

It’s the cycling equivalent of flipping a cigarette in your mouth and lighting it with one hand.

7. So, Rollers or a Trainer? (The Big Question)

If you’re serious about structured training, get a smart trainer. Power, resistance, structured workouts—it’s all there. But if you want to stay engaged, improve technique, and feel like you’re actually riding, rollers might be the way to go.

Summary Table:

Feature	Rollers	Trainer
Portability	Light, folds up, easy to move	Heavy, bulky, needs power
Technique Focus	High—forces balance & smooth pedaling	Low—bike is locked in place
Resistance	Low, but can add resistance unit	Adjustable—can mimic climbs & sprints
Engagement	High—feels like real riding	Low—can get boring fast
Setup Time	Instant—just hop on & go	Needs calibration & setup
Training Style	Cadence, balance, warm-ups, technique	Power-based structured training
Cool Factor	Through the roof	Not even close

Conclusion

I’ll tell you what I did. I got both. Rollers for the soul. A trainer for the suffering.

And I switch between them depending on my mood—like picking between whiskey and coffee.

Both get you where you need to go, just in different ways.

So if you want my advice? Get the one you’ll actually use.

Because the best training tool isn’t the fanciest one. It’s the one that doesn’t end up gathering dust in the corner while you sit on the couch, drinking beer, and wondering why your legs feel slow.