Rocker Plate for my indoor bike trainer

What is a rocker plate?

These rocker plate things always looked like a gimmick to me, but after doing more research it turns out that they make riding on an indoor bike trainer way more comfortable.

Something about the bike rocking side to side and sliding back and forth helps you move around on the bike seat more. Helps your butt move around instead of just staying on the same pressure points.

I decided to make my own, and after using it, I can confirm it makes a big difference. I can now start doing longer 2-3 hour rides inside during the cold winter here in Mass.

I can also confirm that adding the rubber feet to the bottom helps cut down on the noise, Jacqui doesn't even hear me at all now when I'm pedaling up in the attic above her bedroom.

Parts I used for this build ($250-300 total usd I think)

a 3/4" and 4'x8' sheet of baltic birch plywood or equivalent from a speciality plywood supplier. My local HomeDepot doesn't carry baltic birch playwood (it's stronger and has more layers)

linear bearing and rod assembly https://a.co/d/4deyuqD I went with 2 shorter ones instead of trying to find a 2 meter one.

6mm bolts for attaching the top plywood piece to the linear bearings, https://a.co/d/0SS1cdc

springs, https://a.co/d/cX68Kx6

neoprene washers (order 2 packs you'll need 8 of them), https://a.co/d/1tGzFG3

5" kick balls https://a.co/d/74x5tOs the key to allowing the side to side movement.

sound/vibration isolation rubber bushings for the bottom of the rocker plate assembly, order 2 sets so you have 8 of them, https://a.co/d/2AOQrB6

For attaching the bushings and the linear rail assemblies to the bottom sheet of plywood, 1/4-20 x 1.5" bolts, https://a.co/d/aej2lze

1/4" Washers, https://a.co/d/cWi1aBX

locking 1/4"-20 nuts, 25 are enough, https://a.co/d/j5Jjs20

I painted with zinsser 123 gray primer first, and rustoleum semi gloss black. Only 1 quart of each.

for the straps I have a roll of 1" nylon black webbing, and a pack of 10 1" cam buckles from https://www.rollercam.com they cinch down so much tighter than regular cam straps. They sell pre-made strap kits too.

Tools you'll need

I already had the tools, so that's the main reason I built one. $300 vs $1000 (like this KOM https://a.co/d/9GCZfOx, but you'd also need this https://a.co/d/ahXExhY for the fore/aft linear motion)

track saw or circular saw with edge guide

cordless drill, 2" hole saw, 1/4" bit

random orbit sander

plunge router, roundover bit, 1/4" straight spiral bit, 1/2" straight spiral bit, template guide bushing set

instead of a router, a jigsaw would work for cutting the strap slots

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