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Product Review: Kinetic Z-Rollers T-2600

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Kinetic Z – Rollers are the perfect option for developing better balance and technique, or for pre race warm-up. Precision machined aluminium rollers and premium bearings provide a smooth, quiet ride. A lightweight aluminium frame folds down for easy transport and storage.

Features:

  • Precision-machined 3.5″ x 14.7″ aluminum rollers (90mm x 374mm)
  • Tri-fold design folds down to just 21″ x 20″ x 8.8″ (533mm x 508mm x 234mm)
  • Adjustable to fit bikes with a wheelbase from 38.2″ to 43.3″ (97cm to 110cm)
  • Compact, portable design
  • Double folding for easy storage
  • Fits in Kinetic Trainer Bag
  • Fully adjustable frame
  • Fully assembled – Ready to ride right out of the box
  • Unconditional lifetime warranty

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Kinetic Z Rollers Review:

The Kinetic Z-Rollers are a great deal. I purchased them to hold me over until I can afford a set of the super high dollar rollers.. (i.e. CycleOps). However, I will most likely stick with the Kinetics. They are rock solid. A lot of reviews mention the pins. You used to get small cones that the roller packaged with it. If you can’t get the cones anymore, try a shot glass. That will do the trick.

UPDATE: I did a lot of research prior to my purchase as I was concerned with stability. As mentioned in the review, many reviews mentioned instability issues. Not with these. I have had them for 1 month now and have used them several times. I did spend nearly an hour adjusting them properly and I’m glad I did. I also put a shot glass (easily done with a small nail) on top of one bearing and it works fine. If your looking for an inexpensive way to develop better form, this is the way to go. I have been using them to help rehab from a knee surgery and I have had GREAT results.

The Z-rollers are quite stable once adjusted properly. During moderate to heavy pedaling, I don’t feel the slightest bit of wobble. On my first use I mistakenly installed one of the cones on the smaller side (due to incorrect placement of the instructions), and I got a bit wobbly, but I swapped them out and it was much better. Another reviewer mentioned you can setup your Z-Rollers to where they will pop out the front if you don’t backpedal enough – I have not had this happen to me, and I’ve used them very hard, but perhaps I have not pedaled fast enough at times. I’d say the only ‘con’ at all is that for some reason they are noisy, like the bearings are too tight – this is minor. The Z-Rollers are quite stable once adjusted properly. During moderate to heavy pedaling, I don’t feel the slightest bit of wobble. On my first use I mistakenly installed one of the cones on the smaller side (due to incorrect placement of the instructions), and I got a bit wobbly, but I swapped them out and it was much better. Another reviewer mentioned you can setup your Z-Rollers to where they will pop out the front if you don’t backpedal enough – I have not had this happen to me, and I’ve used them very hard, but perhaps I have not pedaled fast enough at times. I’d say the only ‘con’ at all is that for some reason they are noisy, like the bearings are too tight – this is minor.

These are good rollers for the price. I’ve used them for the last 3 months and I don’t have any problems with them. To me, they seem more budgeproof than the recently released Schwinn rollers. The bearings are bolted in and the rollers interlock into the frame. So, unless you’re doing a windmill flip, they shouldn’t slide out.

The bearings pop out? I’m surprised. My brother has the Schwinn rollers and he rides them more than I do and he hasn’t had any issues with the bearings falling out. He actually just bought a new set last week.

Don’t fear the pin, ride the roller! As used by World Champion Marty Nothstein, America’s Top ranked Triathlete “The Zr-2500 by Kinetic is probably the finest rollerset on the market. The frame isn’t too big and it gives a really smooth motion. For doing higher cadences like kicking my butt, it’s really good for doing standing sprints. After a tough workout of speed training, it’s great for some tempo sprints…also really good climber. I also like doing some VO2 and anaerobic training on the rollers with them because they blow up your lungs and you get a real good workout. They’re really comfortable, really smooth and they’re all mobile. So they break down to three pieces and you can actually carry them in the trunk of your car for easy access. I would recommend the Z-2500’s because I live all the way up in the Pocono’s and it takes me about an hour and a half to drive to the best facilities around so for me to get out and ride the rollers, it’s about the time and expense of driving to get out and ride out of town, you can just plug these in and ride anytime….I race a lot of 400’s and I thought for my intervals I would use this to work on my cadence and it’s a lot more realistic…It’s a smoother ride and I think it makes you a more efficient rider.” Interview by John Bingham, Triathlete Magazine, August 2001.

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Written by Mark Adams

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