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From: Ted Heise <theise@panix.com>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: resistance unit for rollers
Date: Tue, 14 May 2024 22:26:55 -0000 (UTC)
Organization: My own, such as it is
Message-ID: <slrnv47p9f.4m0.theise@panix2.panix.com>
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On Tue, 14 May 2024 17:08:11 -0500,
  AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
>  On 5/14/2024 4:25 PM, Ted Heise wrote:

> > Many years ago (25?) I upgraded from a junky old set of 
> > rollers to the standard Kreitler set.  That was a stretch for 
> > my budget at the time, so instead of getting the headwind unit 
> > I cobbled together a way to clamp the mag resistance unit from 
> > the old rollers onto the Kreitler frame.
> > 
> > Last time I was on the rollers I rode off the edge and banged 
> > the resistance unit off its mount (far from the first time 
> > that's happened).  When I went to set up the rollers this 
> > afternoon, I noticed the odd plastic parts I had previously 
> > found on the floor had broken off from the edge of the mag 
> > unit pulley the belt rides on.  So now I'm shopping for a 
> > replacement resistance device.

>  Fans are very effective resistance and cheap, but loud, which 
>  many riders find annoying. OTOH some fans include a shroud to 
>  direct a fresh breeze toward the meat machine (you).

I generally take out my hearing aids when riding (when they start 
buzzing from the sweat I get concerned!) so the noise prolly isn't 
disqualifying.  On the other hand, I sometimes want to listen to 
podcasts or watch old racing videos, so I do need to be able to 
hear that stuff.  I also often run a box fan, so am used to a fair 
bit of noise.


>  Mag units are quieter and offer a wide range of resistance 
>  levels as you report.  Polymer degradation after 25 years is 
>  not at all unusual. I'd consider just making a new mount- YMMV.

Ironically, the mount I cobbled together (includes a section of 
old rim to fill a gap) is still workable.  Rather, the plastic 
piece that broke off was about a third of the circumference of 
one side of the pulley that the v-belt rides in.  I tried gluing 
it back on, but it's not going to hold up.


>  A flywheel impedes acceleration but is hardly noticeable at 
>  constant speed. Depends of what you like, I suppose.

Yeah, that makes sense.  Thinking I'll probably go with the fan, 
but will mull it over for a while more.

Thanks for the input!

-- 
Ted Heise      <theise@panix.com>       West Lafayette, IN, USA