[Classicrendezvous] Lubing old-style rollers

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli)

Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2000 15:18:33 -0400
From: Jerry Moos <moos@penn.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [Classicrendezvous] Lubing old-style rollers

With winter setting in early in Western PA, at least temporarily, and unwilling to totally deteriorate again after reaching my lowest weight in 10 years this summer, I pulled out the old rollers which had been gathering dust in the garage for close to 20 years. These are of the type widely sold in the 80's with metal drums with wood ends secured to metal side plates, driven by two rubber belts which amazingly were still in usable condition. The Brand is "Big Yankee", but pretty much identical rollers were made under several names, and sold at LBS's and mail order places. This may have been a Nashbar (then Bike Warehouse) house brand. Surprisingly, these rollers spin pretty well, but I'm assuming some lubrication would improve them. Before I dismantle them, does someone know what type of bearings this type of roller typically used, and what lubrication was recommended? Also, can those who ride fixed gear on rollers recommend a suitable ratio for winter roller training? Not training for the 2004 Olympic sprint, just trying to stay in reasonable shape over the winter.

Regards,

Jerry Moos