The maintenance of both a traditional bike, an indoor bike and a bicycle roller, is essential to prolong its life, prevent parts from deteriorating and to take advantage of all its features to get the maximum performance. At ZYCLE we have already talked to you about how to keep your indoor bike in good working order, so this time we are going to focus on explaining how to maintain bike rollers. Read on!
Some basic tips on bike roller maintenance
The first thing you should know is that, in general, bicycle rollers require virtually no maintenance, since they are designed to minimize their care. However, there are some basic tasks that you should carry out – which we will explain below – such as properly cleaning your roller after use. The next thing you should know about bike roller maintenance is that it can vary depending on the different types there are. That is, if it’s a smart roller, if it’s a direct drive roller or if it’s a roller roller, like the ones you can see in the ZYCLE roller catalog. Finally, although it is not directly related to maintenance, we recommend the use of a roller mat, as it will prevent the floor from getting dirty with sweat, but also from getting scratched when using your bike. In addition, the mat will reduce vibrations and avoid disturbing your neighbors.
Bike roller maintenance: smart roller and direct drive roller
Both the Smart ZPro smart indoor cycling trainer and the Smart ZDrive direct drive trainer have very similar maintenance requirements, which consist of proper cleaning after use. Keep in mind that sweat is corrosive -especially in the case of the metal parts- and that the rollers are exposed to it during the indoor training session, so make sure to clean them properly at the end of the session. For cleaning, however, avoid using solvents that may damage the components. Likewise, once you have finished cleaning them, remember to dry each of the parts thoroughly to avoid the appearance of rust.
The maintenance of smart bike and direct drive rollers may in some cases require the replacement of some parts, in particular the thru axle – if it is a smart roller – or the XDR core – for direct drive rollers, although it is not always necessary that these have deteriorated. Keep in mind that these parts can extend compatibility and performance, in each case, so you can use them as complementary accessories. We see it:
- Thru Axle for Smart ZPro: The Thru Axle is available in different sizes ranging from 154 mm to 180 mm in length, and with thread pitches from 1.0 to 1.75. These extend the compatibility of the smart roller by passing through the bicycle wheel from one side to the other and threading with the roller axles.
- XDR core for Smart ZDrive: Expands the roller’s compatibility by preparing it to accept any SRAM XD/R 11V or 12V bicycle cassette.
Likewise, it is important to note one last aspect regarding the maintenance of these rollers and, in particular, of the ZPro Smart Roller. In the latter case, it is advisable to put a little lubricating oil on the roller and the bike’s fastening mechanism, and you can repeat this process once a month, especially if you make intensive use of it.
Roller roller maintenance: How to do it?
When talking about maintenance, rollers and features, we can see some differences with respect to other roller models. The roller roller has the particularity of being a detachable and foldable type of roller, as is the case of RooDol by ZYCLE, since it is designed to be transported comfortably from one place to another and to be used for warm-ups prior to any competition (in addition to the usual indoor training). This exposes it to more dirt from dirt and liquids, so cleaning must be done more thoroughly. To do this, use soap and water, remove the bedplate and the rollers, and clean them separately. As in the previous case, avoid the use of solvents and make sure that all components have dried properly, especially if you use aluminum rollers.
If you have had a roller roller for a long time, then it is possible that some of the rollers have deteriorated. In that case, maintenance will consist of checking them and replacing them if necessary. You can also alternate between the material of the rollers (aluminum and PVC) to work with different intensities and sensations in your workouts – without having to buy them when they are damaged. However, never combine the different materials.
What not to do when performing maintenance on bicycle rollers
Something that we’ve already touched on in the past when talking about indoor cycling bike maintenance, and that also applies to bike rollers, is that you should never disassemble fixed or assembled parts when cleaning them. Note that this can directly affect the warranty and cause it to be lost, regardless of the brand of your roller, so you should avoid it. Finally, if for whatever reason, any of the components are damaged from the factory, do not hesitate to contact the seller in question and make use of the warranty to claim a repair or replacement of the affected components. Finally, if your product is no longer under warranty, remember that you can purchase official spare parts for each brand on their website so that you can continue to use your roller normally.