DIY Indoor Trainer Rocker Plate

What is a Rocker Plate?

In essence, a Rocker Plate is a device which allows the trainer and bike to tilt from side to side, more accurately simulating the real life motion of riding a bike. Proponents say it increases comfort and makes long rides more forgiving on those sensitive parts of the anatomy that may be otherwise get a bit of a hard time.

https://zwiftinsider.com/rocker-plates-phenomenon/

That’s a quote I stole from Zwift Insider because I was feeling too lazy to explain it myself.

I do want to expand on this idea. The first rocker plates only tilted from side to side; however, my rocker plate design not only tilts from side to side, but it also moves fore and aft… or forwards and backwards. In theory this should attempt to replicate sprints or out of the saddle efforts.

I am not the creator, finder or even smart person who thought of this idea. I merely took all of features I liked in all of the other rockers I saw and created my own.

I offer the DXF plans and where to buy all of the materials for my rocker in this Google sheets document below; however, if you are not DIY inclined I do sell the rockers on my website Ride South.

Specs Gallery

70 thoughts on “DIY Indoor Trainer Rocker Plate

Showing 20 of 33 top-level comments
  1. Hi, Andrew:

    thanks for your DIY video, give me confident to DIY my rocket plate.
    I have reviewed your excel spreadsheet for all parts, however, I do not see any design drawing (Autocad) iuor CNC DXF plan so that I can cut and build by myself.

  2. Andrew where are the templates to download this rocker panel. I the video you refer to the dfx file but can’t find it.

  3. Andrew...thanks much for sharing your rocker design. Your parts list was perfect and I was able to source everything short of the two springs (backordered). Couple of questions: 1. Can you please confirm that both plates can be cut from one 4' x 8' plywood sheet? 2. Does your downloadable...
    1. Andrew... Thanks for the info on the plywood sizing...that's good news. As for the DWF files, I've downloaded both the 35MM and 40 MM you've posted on your spreadsheet. Unfortuantely, both only show the basic outline of the top and bottom plate...no annotations or measurements. I am using a few...
    2. Thanks much Andrew. That’s what I thought. I’ve already completed the scale measurements based on the DWF drawings. Appreciate your time and comments!

      Ray

  4. Andrew,
    I notice on your website the photo of the rocker plate is elongated at the base, perhaps to accomodate a trainer like the Wahoo Kickr Core. Is that the purpose of the modification? If so – can you tell me what dimensions were altered? Thanks in advance.

    1. Andrew, thank you so much for the information. I am going to attempt to build one soon. However, I have a Kickr Core and wondered if the DXF files were available anywhere for the modified version as referenced above.
      Thanks!

  5. Hi Andrew-great detail on the site here for DIY build! Question on the springs-your link option is currently not available. Assume you have found this total load capacity / N/mm the right force for the for and aft motion? Struggling to find a comparison with right measurements and load factors...
  6. Hi Andrew,
    It it going to be compatible with Taxc Neo? Any mounting holes to be added to current design to install Neo?

  7. Awesome write-up! I'm sure I'l be building two of these in the next few weeks. Side note, to make it easier to measure a hole pattern, use the back (inside measuring jaw) of the calipers, measure inside one hole and zero the calipers at that diameter. Then measure from the...
  8. Comment
    Your parts list calls out SCS20UU 20mm linear bearings, but the link for Amazon goes to a SCS16UU with no option to select the 20mm bearing.

  9. Hi Andrew,
    First up, your plans are awesome as are your videos. Was wondering whether top platform is wide enough to mount a kickr bike. I did some measurements and it looks like it would need to come forward from the back about 230mm.

  10. Thanks very much for sharing these designs!
    Would a 1200mm linear shaft work ok with this? Struggling to find a 1400mm one in the UK. Would it just be a case of mounting the 2 standoffs on the end 10cm inward?

  11. Hey Andrew, thanks so much for this! I have a few questions, if you have the time: 1) I saw a V2 PDF of your design (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yIlaeMLvrXlSw29-RB5z4FbLAqi5j_qG/view). Are there any significant design modifications from v1? 2) Are the M6-1.0 30mm bolts for the top and bottom plates the same? Asking...
  12. Hi. Love the simplicity of the build and that you have a parts list with links. Saves me a lot of searching! I see that you have used a Ø20 mm steel rod. Do you feel that was necessary with regards to stiffness? I'm tempted to go for a Ø16...
  13. Andrew,

    Great design. Thanks for the hard work. I have located most of the products needed following the links you have supplied. I live in Ohio and cannot locate the springs. Any suggestion would be helpful. Please advise.

    Thanks,

    Matt Neighbor

  14. Andrew, Thanks for taking the time to detail your rocker plate design. I'm looking forward to building one over the next few weeks. I'm new to CNC routing but have a local guy lined up. I just want to ensure I've got the right setup. I'm looking at the DXF...
  15. Hi! I really like this design and construction. I'm planning to build a rocker plate on my own and I will use this design almost straight off, I'll just have to create a custom design of the top plate, to fit my smart bike. I work as a cnc-operator so...
  16. Love the design! You mentioned you sell them, and seem to be somewhere in Central Texas. Are you still selling them? I didn’t see any on Ride South. I’m in Austin and am considering buying one, seeing as I have a bum arm at the moment.

    1. Hi Andrew, First and foremost, awesome job… thanks for sharing/spreading the knowledge! I’m arriving later on the scene for these rocker plates. Never knew they existed. I’m not a social media person so no access to Facebook, IG, etc. In any case, Bo gots to have one of these!!!!. I...
  17. I love this and have ordered everything except the springs that i am having trouble sourcing (im in Canada near Toronto)

  18. Great bwork on designing this. I’m about to build my own but I ordered 6’’ balls by mistake. Any recommendations about how wide I should cut the channel?

    Thanks,

    Dan

  19. Hello Andrew, thank you for the guide and instructions. I built my Rocker Plate based on your plans and looks and works pretty nice. However, the only thing I could not source were the compression springs. I had to use different ones from my local hardware store, but they are...
  20. Hello, any recommendation on what lubricant/grease should be used for the shaft and the bearings? I have SBR20UU bearing and the 20mm Shaft. Thank you!

  21. Hello Andrew! Very nicely done across the board on this, evidently your design has well stood the test of time. Will this work for the Zwift Hub? Thank you!

  22. Hello Andrew, the spreadsheet looks empty when I view it on my phone – is there a problem with it or with me?

    Thanks!

  23. Great plans, was fun to build, thank you! I CADed some 3D printable centralising washers for the bearing and support ends of the springs, some 3mm spacers and some replacement feet for a Tacx trainer that can be bolted to the top to provide extra stability - would you like...
  24. Thanks for all the information on these rocker plates. Finally took the plunge and decided to build myself one (I used the V3 design). I needed up cutting everything by hand instead of CNC. While not perfectly straight lines, I had fun building and assembling it. I was thinking of...

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