I'm looking to order rollers today and need some advice. Both Performance and Nashbar offer their own branded alloy rollers at similar price points. Biggest difference I see is Nashbar's are 85mm while Performance's are 120mm.

My questions:

1) Is one quieter than the other?
I assume the 120mm would be quieter. Don't really care much about this since I will be listening to music or watching movies through headphones in my basement. My family may care about this and that is why I ask the question.

2) Any resistance differences between the two?
If one offers more resistance, I would expect it to be the smaller diameter.

3) Is one easier to ride than the other?

Thanks in advance for any feedback...

Help me Mr. Roller Wizard! I know you're out there. I need an answer to these questions cuz I want to order today...

By far the largest difference between drums of different diameters is resistance. Kreitler, sort of the gold standard for rollers, offers three diameters/resistances:

4.5" = 114 mm = standard resistance, spinning mostly.
3.0" = 76 mm = more resistance, some strength/aerobic training.
2.25" = 57 mm = a lot of resistance, useful for power training.

I rode all three Kreitlers - the 2.25" has too much resistance for me, but I'm drawing social security. In my experience, all three diameters felt the same in terms of "easiness," but I started rollers a long time ago.

Noise is created by cheap bearings and out-of-round drums. You can tone it down by putting the rollers on an sound-absorbant mat. Generally, more $ = less noise.

Thanks WIM. Will go with the smaller 85mm roller then as I want some resistance.

Sounds good.

If you want even more resistance, ride your rollers at reduced tire pressure, like 60 psi or so for a 700-23. If you don't like the squishy feeling, increase resistance by weaving cardboard through the spokes. That's we we did back in the days before you had to look cool on the bike.:D A few square inches will create a lot of drag at a virtual 25 mph.

I have the Kreitler Dyno-mytes and they are very tough. I'm a skinny, small quad, whimpy wattage kind of guy, and they kick my butt. I would go with a bigger diameter drum, and just gear it out if it's too easy in your lower gears.

Noise factor should be similar in all drum sizes.

BT

Bob: I have the 85mm Nashbars on order and expecting this week. I'm recovering from a broken leg (smashed to living he11!) and I want some resistance for quad building. Will find out if I'm man enough...