Customer area

Thank you for shopping with TurboRocks, we are confident you will be delighted with your purchase.

On this page you will find links to set-up guides, tips and hints into getting the best out of your new rocker plate. Just scroll down to find sections that are relevant to your indoor cycling trainer. This page will grow over time with more info, so do keep checking back to see our latest recommendations and advice on rocker plates.

All our Realplates are made to order and we have taken time to ensure that it will outperform your expectations. In the unlikely event you are unhappy, please contact us before leaving feedback and we will work with you to rectify any issue. We are proud of our product range and pride ourselves on our customer service, so it’s important to us to know that you are totally satisfied.

Hopefully this is the start of you really improving your indoor training experience. On this page you will find your simple setup instructions, but we have also noted down some useful pointers below. For more questions about rocker plates please check our FAQs page.

Video coming soon!

For best results you should use “feel” rather than air pressure for the balls. Keep adjusting the level of air until you feel that you have the correct rocking motion. Remember to be brave, you want to rock fully, the sensation will take a bit if getting used to but will feel great when it becomes more familiar to you.
It would be helpful to be positioned on the bike whilst someone else adds the air into the balls, so you can ensure you are level.
We have supplied a spare ball, just in case of a puncture. Please moisten the pump needle when inflating the balls.
Whilst the Realplate is covered in a non-slip hard wearing coating, you can expect wear and tear in the areas where you stand and twist with cleated shoes.
Realplate React customers - please note that this model uses linear bearings and as such you should periodically; oil the central shaft with any quality lube to ensure longer smooth running of the mechanics and check the bolts between the two plates, particularly the spring bolts, are kept nice and tight.

SET-UP GUIDES FOR INDOOR CYCLING TRAINERS

Important information regarding air pressure in the balls

Your Rocker Plate is delivered with just enough air in the balls for transport, so please follow these simple instructions before use:

Set up the bike and trainer so the centre of the bottom bracket is along the centre line of the Rocker Plate.
Add a little air in each ball - you may need to add a little more in the left ball to compensate for the additional weight of the trainer’s flywheel. One you have added air get on the bike and see how the rocking motion feels.
Repeat the step above until you have the right feel and you and the bike are level. Over time you may need to add a little air as its released under training.
Remember, the idea is to have a full rocking motion so don't be tempted to add too much air. You want the Rocker Plate to move as much as possible. This WILL take some getting used to but please bear with it, soon you will love the feel.
Also, please do not worry about PSI and pressure gauges, the balls will inflate to over 6 Bar but if you are getting anywhere close to that pressure, the Rocker Plate will be almost static and have little or no movement.

Maintenance of your Realplate

Wipe down all of your equipment after each session and this is just as important with the Realplate and periodically, depending on use please perform the following:

Unscrew the needle from the pump.
Insert the pump needle into the ball valves and remove the air.
Remove the balls.
Clean the balls and the area around where the balls are place.
Whilst the balls are out, lean the top plate to one side which will give you better access to the central shaft.
Spray the central shaft with a good lube (we use GT85 or 3-1 oil). You can also put oil on a cloth and the reach in and wipe around the shaft with the oiled cloth. Do not use WD40.
If you don’t think the oil has reached all around the shaft, lean the top plate the opposite way and oil as before.
Now add a little bit of air in the balls and re-insert.
Once the balls are back in position inflate to suitable levels.
It’s also worth checking the nuts and bolts as you do this just to ensure that none are working their way look.

A Brief Introduction to Rocker Plates

Greater Comfort In & Out of the Saddle

The small side movement of the saddle, even when seated, helps relieve pressure on the sit bones and soft tissue.
The added rocking motion encourages standing because it feels more free than rigid trainers which can lead to more frequent breaks between seated efforts.

More Core/Midsection & Upper Body Use

With softer leveling spring settings, it requires more engagement from the core and upper body to ride level and maintain a smooth pedal stroke.
This is true for seated and standing efforts, when compared to rigid trainers.

Improved Standing Pedaling Motion Freedom

Standing pedaling on a rigid trainer is awkward and not at all like riding a bike outside.
On a Rocker Plate, the bike & trainer are more free to lean to both sides. This can allow the rider to move in ways that are less awkward than on a rigid trainer.

Lower Bike Frame Stress

Unproven, but Rocker Plates are likely to reduce stress on frame members since they allow some float and reduced side-loading to the axle vs a rigid trainer setup.

Rider Power Production & Transfer

Rocker Plate Power Concepts - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rsOK6Qym9tFR6wrVScs65-LfFIGKykfirA5f04Z-KBA/edit?usp=sharing

Rocker Plate Setup

Rocker Plate Spring Force and Pedal Timing/Form

Setup and tightness really matters and it can impact use - https://zwiftinsider.com/rocker-plate-tightness/

Leveling Spring Settings

High Force (Tight) Vs Low Force (Loose) - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IIaApvD5s1ROzcXnyhhv72ZIK3eqbNnDeSB5n_ak_Wk/edit?usp=sharing

Methods to Balance a Rocker Plate There are three common methods to adjust for the imbalance that comes from the offset position of the heavy flywheel present on most trainers. I have listed them in the general order of most to least preferred methods according to my testing and that from the majority of other rocker users:

-- Bike Centered, Counterweight, Equal Spring Pressure

Install the Bike & Trainer with the Bike Centered Directly over the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis.
Note: Some trainers will appear "off-center" because their footprint is not perfectly centered with respect to the bike center.
Add a Counterweight (10lb [5kg] is common) to the "Light" side of the Rocker Plate (usually the right side).
Use Equal Pressure in the Leveling Springs (Inflatable Balls placed equal distances from the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis).

-- Bike Centered, No Counterweight, Unequal Spring Pressure

Install the Bike & Trainer with the Bike Centered Directly over the Rocker Pivot Axis.
Note: Some trainers will appear "off-center" because their footprint is not perfectly centered with respect to the bike center.
Do not add a Counterweight.
Use Unequal Pressure (more under trainer's "Heavy" side) in the Leveling Springs (Inflatable Balls placed equal distances from the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis).

-- Bike Off-Center, No Counterweight, Equal Spring Pressure

Install the Bike & Trainer with the Bike Off-Center from the Rocker Pivot Axis. Move the Bike & Trainer towards the "Light" side.
Do not add a Counterweight.
Use Equal Pressure in the Leveling Springs (Inflatable Balls placed equal distances from the Rocker Plate Pivot Axis).

Counterweight Setup to Level a Rocker Plate

Most bike trainers can benefit from a counterweight placed towards the outer edge on the plate. Many trainers work well with about 10 lbs [5 kg] of counterweight, but some trainers may also allow for less weight (Tacx Neo may need none at all).
The precise side and location varies from trainer to trainer, and with some rider balance issues, but you can make those weights work in most cases. If the heavy flywheel is on the left side of the trainer and rocker plate, the counterweight should be placed on the right side.
Install the bike and trainer onto the rocker plate, with the bike placed dead-center over the rocker plate pivot axis.
If the rocker plate uses leveling springs, remove them from the rocker plate. You want the pivot as the only support. Ignored this step for rib-style rocker plates or any other rocker plate that does not use leveling springs. These use gravity for leveling forces that do not need external leveling springs.
Get some weights and place them on the right side of the rocker deck (since the trainer flywheel is on the left side).
Use a bubble level or eyeball to see if the deck is level. If it is not level, shift the weights left or right to make a change.
Repeat the weight placement until you get the deck level.
Install the leveling springs, and inflate to the desired pressure. Assuming equal placement from the center pivot, you should be able to use the same pressure in each spring.
Test a short pedal on the rocker and make sure it feels "right" to you. As mentioned, sometimes dead level is not best for everyone.
When you are happy with the weight shifting, lock them in place and you should be good to go.

Rocker Plate Riding Techniques

Riding Example: Eric Schlange - https://www.facebook.com/eschlange/videos/10157605446464913
Riding Examples: Chad McNeese - https://youtu.be/yIHG2PuPB6E?t=65
Riding Examples: Chad McNeese - https://youtu.be/gt2XO4NVZEo
Riding Examples: J Lincho - https://youtu.be/y3mUVntgQyg

As we are a growing business, we would love for you to enjoy your Realplate and tell everyone about it. Great feedback and reviews are essential to our continued growth.

We appreciate your custom and please don’t forget to let everyone know how great it is to train indoors with a TurboRocks product!

Devise