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A rocker plate is supposed to make the ride feel even more realistic thanks to its flex, but usually costs several hundred euros. Many YouTube tutorials show how you can build your own rocker plates, but the materials used will still cost 100 euros or more.
Two simple but effective alternatives: foam mats at least 5 centimetres thick (approx. 15 euros). Or tennis balls that you attach underneath the base with tape (from around three euros per tin of four). Caution: For some models with narrow legs and a small footprint, such as the Tacx Neo 2T Smarttennis balls are unsuitable as a base - the trainer is then too unstable!
The advantage of these two variants is that they do not increase the trainer's footprint and can be easily removed again if required. If you have more space available and enjoy tinkering, you can also follow our instructions in five simple steps.
Build your own rocker plate: Here's how
1. procure material
For the simplest version of the do-it-yourself rocker plate, you need the following:
- two tins of tennis balls (balls that have already been played also work)
- a hot glue gun
- A total of four wooden panels, each at least 32 millimetres thick (two 80 centimetres x 80 centimetres for trainers, two 25 centimetres x 25 centimetres for the front wheel)
- a foam swimming noodle
2. attach the floating noodle
Cut the floating noodle in half lengthways with a carpet knife. To make the cover for the rocker plate, use the hot glue gun to attach the flat side of the cut floating noodle to the centre of one of the two 80 x 80 cm boards. The curve will then point away from the board.
3. attach balls
For the subsequent cover of the rocker plate, attach two to four tennis balls to each side of the other large wooden board about five to ten centimetres from the end of the board using the hot glue gun. The more balls, the less lateral flex and the greater the stability of the rocker plate.
4. join the boards together
Place the second board on top of the board with the glued foam noodle and tennis balls. Turn the entire construction once so that the last boards in place are lying on the floor. Using the same principle, fit smaller boards for the front wheel support with balls or foam scraps.
5th finish
Place a mat underneath to conceal any unevenness in the floor and keep the noise level low. If you attach particular importance to the look of your own wobble platform, you can decorate the wood accordingly.
