Easy to build Rocker platform for bike trainer

Tim Sullivan · January 4, 2018 6:28PM

So some of you may have seen https://zwiftblog.com/rockit-launcher/ but this seemed to me to be more complicated than needed. At any rate, I created a very simple rocker platform that I've used for about the last month and over a 1,000 miles. I like it and I've never bottomed it out and it feels natural. As you ride, the bike sways slightly from side to side. NOTE: you should also raise your front wheel the same amount unless you like to feel like you are going downhill all the time.

Here is the material list:

1) 2 pieces of 2x2 plywood 3/4" thick (make the plywood as big as your trainer base, I just used 2x2 because it was precut and would be easier than me having to cut it)

2) 3 pieces of 1x2 to go in between the 2 plywood pieces (creates the space for the tennis balls to go into and up against the top plate)

6 holes 2 1/2 inches (could be more or less but seemed good to me)

6 Tennis balls just push into each the holes (you don't glue them, you just cut the holes to be about 2 1/2")

I secured the pieces of plywood to the spacer pieces with just a few wood screws
To secure the trainer I just drilled a couple holes and then used zip ties.

This probably took me a total of 30 minutes to build. Here are some pictures