Rollers, A treadmill for bikes?

[bikebuilder]

I originally thought I would build somethimg like this to practice wheelies and get some excersise in my house during the winter. I borrowed this from someone at work. The wheelie thing won't work, and all of my other bikes are too long. It looks like I may have to build my own roller system with a chain and cogs instead of a rubber band. Does anyone know where I can get just the rollers like this for not a lot of cash so I can build my own system?

 

[necessaryevil]

I had a set of McClain rollers, they are basically just 4" pvc pipe coated with teflon, plastic caps on the end that hold skateboard bearings, a long rubber band turns the front roller. I bet you could use pvc, if you have access to a lathe turn down some steel or aluminum end caps, and maybe borrow the bearings and freewheels from some bmx hubs for the drivetrain. DIY rollers, sounds like a job for bikebuilder!

Only pic I have of mine.

 

[bikebuilder]

That may be what I end up doing.

By the time I get all the bearings, chain, metal, and plastic it is going to become spendy. It may actually be less expensive to just get a used roller system and modify it.

How often did you use yor rollers? I tried a set of plastic rollers that were not round. It made for a very rough ride.

 

[necessaryevil]

The only time I used mine was the winter, set up my rollers in front of the tv and start riding. It is extremely tough to wheelie or even manual on these things, something about the back wheel being on two points of contact I think. I paid like $190 for them a few years ago, so they might have gone up a little in price by now. They are nice to have, they teach balance and smooth peddling, but it gets kinda boring after a while.

 

[bikebuilder]

The guy at work will sell me this set for $100 which sounds like a great deal, but if it won't work with my bikes it kind-of useless. If I can just find a longer band somewhere... Any ideas? like 2-4 feet longer. I really want to use my stretch on it.