Before cyclocross and track races, criteriums or even MTB competitions, many (professional) cyclists warm up on a free roller. Smart trainers with direct drive are rarely used here because you would then have to dismantle your own bike. Instead, the bike is placed on the free roller and off you go. It takes some practice at the beginning to be able to ride safely on a free roller.
How the Till Start roller trainer works
With its roller trainers, Till Start is somewhere between a smart trainer and a free roller. The front wheel is clamped, so the rim, which is not designed for this, does the holding work.
The rear wheel stands on two castors. The front roller runs freely, the rear roller is equipped with a resistance system: As the speed increases, so does the restraining force. The resistance can therefore be adjusted by changing gear. The braking power is completely sufficient for the warm-up. One advantage over a foldable free roller is the smaller pack size of the Till Start roller trainer.
Exciting for clubs: The front block can be customised for an extra charge.
Adjusting the Power Connect roller trainer and clamping the wheel
The parcel, which weighed around eight kilograms, arrived by post. Before the device can be used, the roller trainer must be adjusted to the size of the bike, or more precisely the front wheel.
Adjusting the front wheel fixation to the wheel rim size and tyre width
The height of this front wheel attachment can be adapted to different wheel sizes and tyre widths. Depending on the tyre width and size of the front wheel, the front part that holds the front wheel must be adjusted accordingly. The necessary steps are shown in the picture gallery.
- Loosen the screw on the cover plate
- Remove the cover plate
- Pull out rods
- Adjust the front wheel fixation to the correct height (in the centre of the hub)
- Insert the rods again
- Place the cover plate
- Tighten the screw
Fixing the front wheel
The fixation of the front wheel is now at the correct height. The next step is to attach the front wheel.
- Loose fastening of the front wheel with ratchet lock
- Adjust the four rim holders - they should be aligned parallel to the rim
- Tightening the ratchet lock
Now the front wheel is clamped, the ratchet lock can be opened with the red lever. But for now, the bike remains fixed so that you can try out the roller trainer.
Bluetooth connection
To establish a Bluetooth connection between the smartphone and the roller trainer, for example, the trainer must be switched on. This requires a few revolutions of the rollers. So get on the bike and start pedalling. After a few moments, the LEDs on the back of the trainer start flashing: this is the sign that it is ready for use. The next step is to search for a new Bluetooth device on the mobile phone and establish the connection. This worked straight away.
As the test was carried out in the summer and there was no active Indoor training subscription with platforms like Zwift or Rouvy we chose TrainerDay, a platform that offers a number of free workouts.
Power supply on the roller trainer from Till Start
The power supply for the data transmission of the Power Connect is extremely simple, as it does not require a cable, but only the energy that is generated by riding anyway. This means that the trainer can be used flexibly anywhere, for example for warming up before a competition on the grass or in the car park.
Watt measurement
The wattage values transmitted by the roller trainer are calculated from its resistance system. It is possible to calibrate the wattage measurement in the Till Start Connect app. If you value accurate wattage measurement, you should use a power meter fitted to the bike. If the trainer is used for the warm-up before the competition, the wattage measurement may be installed on the bike anyway.
The roller trainer in a practical test
The riding experience on the Till Start Power Connect took some getting used to. However, it is a good idea for the warm-up phase before competitions. For several indoor sessions per week, a Current smart trainer with direct drive more joy.
Conclusion: Who is the Till Start Power Connect roller trainer suitable for?
Thanks to the low weight and small pack size of the roller trainer, the device can be used very flexibly and is a good choice for warming up in the car park before competitions. Practical: The front panel can be customised for an extra charge, allowing the club logo and sponsors to be placed in a visible position.
If you want to use the trainer at home, you may be disturbed by the noise generated by the front panel and rollers.
Facts
- Price: 489,00 Euro
- Weight: 7.3 kg
- Folded dimensions: 57.0 cm x 29.5 cm x 17.5 cm
- Info: www.till-start.com
In addition to the Power Connect with calculated watt values and Bluetooth connection, other devices are also available. If you already use a power meter on your bike, the Till Start One Connect is a good choice (389 euros). If you want to do without Bluetooth, go for the Till Start One for 279 euros.
Advantages of the roller trainer from Till Start
+ Lightweight and compact
+ Once set, the setup is quickly assembled and disassembled
Disadvantages of the roller trainer
- Calculated watt values
- Rim load
An alternative to the Till Start roller trainer
If you don't shy away from a free role, you can use the Taxc Antares T 1000 for warming up before a competition. Read more about smart trainers and indoor cycle training on the roller here: All about roller training: 35 smart trainers put to the test
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
