I initially set out to provide the lowest cost, highest value, rocker plates to the masses because (at the time) the highest functioning rocker plates were $1,000+ USD. With inspiration from the Rocker Plates Facebook group I came up with the V1 of the Ride South rocker plate which I released the plans for free. I then started working on a V2 version which I had planned to sell for the low cost of $350 USD.
Fast forward to now and few dozen rocker plates sold and I just do not have the time to support the side project coupled with the fact that multiple “companies” have taken my plans and are now selling them as their own with very little modification. I have decided to just release all of the plans and source files and that is what this webpage is for.
Parts List
In the manner of transparency, the links in the below table are mostly affiliate links where applicable. It costs you nothing to click them and helps me justify making more things to release for free in the future. (also worth noting, these are all parts required for the project and not random crap I am trying to sell you.)
| # | PART | PART # | SIZE | QTY | Ali | eBay | Amazon | Grainger | Allied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Top Plate | DIY | 18mm Birch Plywood | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2 | Bottom Plate | DIY | 18mm Birch Plywood | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 3 | Risers | DIY | 3mm wood/plexi/delrin | 4 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 4 | Bullseye Level o | 2H366 | 37mm x 7mm | 1 | link | link | link | – | – |
| 5 | Linear Rod | 32*7 | 20mm x 1400mm (55″) | 1 | – | link | link | – | – |
| 6 | Linear Bearing | SCS20UU/SBR20UU | 4 | link | link | link | – | – | |
| 7 | Linear Rod Support | SK20 | 4 | link | link | link | – | – | |
| 8 | Springs | 121292 | 137mm x 27mm | 2 | – | – | link | – | link |
| 9 | Top Plate Bolts | 26LG41 | M6-1.0 25mm/30mm | 16 | – | link | link | – | – |
| 10 | Bottom Plate Bolts | 6EY59 | M6-1.0 30mm | 16 | – | link | link | – | – |
| 11 | Top Plate Washers | 29DH69 | M6 x 12 | 8 | – | link | link | – | – |
| 12 | Bottom Plate Lock Nuts | 26LJ85 | M6-1.0 | 8 | – | link | link | – | – |
| 13 | Inflatable Play Balls | B07BGV41R7 | 5″ | 2 | – | link | link | – | – |
| 14 | Stage Clamps o | 2 | – | – | link | – | – | ||
| 15 | Velcro Straps o | 3 | – | – | link | – | – | ||
Notes
- If you decide to go with SCS20UU bearings YOU WILL NEED RISERS.
- The V3 rocker plate design DOES NOT support SBR20UUs.
Files
| PART | SBR20UU | SCS20UU | MEASUREMENTS | PRINTABLES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Plate V1 | Google Drive | Google Drive | Single / Multi | |
| Bottom Plate V1 | Google Drive | Google Drive | Single / Multi | |
| Top Plate V3 | Google Drive | |||
| Bottom Plate V3 | Google Drive | |||
| Riser | Google Drive | Google Drive | ||
F.A.Q.
- Does this rocker plate have fore/aft & side to side movement?
yes. - What is the difference between SBR20UU and SCS20UU?
mounting bolt pattern and stack height of bearing. - Will you supply your source files?
no.
Love the video and instructions. I noticed a bunch of the affiliate links are busted and would love for you to get something from all this work. Do you have new links or recommendations for substitutions?
Aaron,
Thanks! I’m working on converting everything over to this web page (away from the excel sheet that gets stagnant) and getting all of the links updated. I should have them done by this weekend.
Awesome video and instructions, I am also looking to use your build and instructions and would love to see the updated parts list if possible. Trying to see if I am able to get all the required parts here in Miami, FL. Was about to go out and purchase a pre-made rocker plate when I stumbled upon your video. I am of the mindset that if I can build it on the cheap and still get the desired functionality than why not.
I’ve went thru the parts list and the only thing I cannot find is the 20mm Linear Rod at 1400mm or 55″ long. I will continue looking.
Hi Andrew,
Love your project, thank you for sharing.
Did you end up finding the 20mm Linear Rod?
I haven’t found any online, but I do have some I can sell if you’re still interested.
I am assuming a 1200mm linear bearing will not work with this design? There is a kit currently listed on Amazon that includes (4) bearings, (2) 20mm x 1200mm linear rods, and (4) linear rod supports for $40.
Paul,
You cannot go shorter on my specific design as the linear rod mounts are positioned for the 1400mm, but you can go longer, you’ll just have some rod sticking out the front or back. Hope that helps.
I thought it would be an issue, doesn’t hurt to check. I’ve been shopping around for linear rod since the amazon one is out of stock, have you tried any of the hollow rods?
Also, on the counter sunk holes, I am assuming you put a washer in before the cap screw, what is the depth of the larger hole countersink?
The hollow rods should work just fine as long as they are hardened. I was actually going to order those when I ran out of the solid linear rod stock I have as it would reduce the shipping weight by quite a bit. I did use washers on the counter sunk holes which are 7.5mm deep. On my latest design I skipped the washers and flat head bolts and used tapered head bolts to avoid using washers.
Also, if you’re in the DFW I have some 1400mm rods in stock I could sell separate. It probably wouldn’t be cost effective to ship one.
couldn’t you cut the rod to 55″/1400mm?
I’ve also had a tough time finding 20x1400mm linear rods. do you happen to still have any to sell?
I have some if you’re local to the Dallas, TX area. Unfortunately I cannot ship them.
I will look around for some hollow ones, unfortunately I thought they would be cheaper but look to be more expensive. I did find a 20mm x 1500 mm non-hollow rod at Grainger for under $70 but it is not hardened. Everything I am finding else where are sold in pairs so they are about $160/$170 ish. Too bad I am not in in the DFW area, I am up in New England, sourcing a cheap rod may be the sticking point for this build.
by tapered head bolts, you are using something like this? https://www.amazon.com/M6-1-0-Socket-Screws-Alloy-Steel/dp/B07S51Z6JS/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=m6-1+x+30mm+screw&qid=1679508538&s=industrial&sr=1-6
I’d sell you one for 40$; unfortunately, the shipping on one is going to be ridiculously high as they are very heavy and long. Those are the type of bolts I migrated to.
If anyone is looking I finally found 20mm x 60ā rods decently priced on vxb.com for $57 shipped from the west coast to east coast.
Hi is there any chance that you could send me the files to my email account please
Iām in Fort Worth and will take you up on the offer for the rod for $40. Please email me.
what is the center line on the V1 top plate? decorative of integral to the design?
It is for centering your trainer/bike. Even weight distribution is important to the mechanics of the plate. If you are not evenly distributed you will feel the difference pretty quickly.
gotcha, so its just a shallow groove for indicating the center. Just asking incase the guy operating the CNC router has a question when he is making the cuts.
Hello Andrew,
Thank you for making your plan available, this helps so much. I am building your design. I found a local cnc shop that will cut the plates. Can I ask you to email me the files for them to use? Thank you.
Dar Webb,
The files are all available from google drive in the “Files” section on post. You should be able to click the google drive link to directly download them. I hope this helps.
Iām sorry, I know nothing about these DXF files. I did download those, but it just shows the two plates with no measurements. Is that all I have to give to the CNC shop?
Thank you
Yes, those files contain the measurements for the person operating the CNC software.
Thank you very much Andrew, I appreciate it.
Great project and well presented. Thank you for sharing such an awesome idea I Located all the components except the balls. I tried Amazon but could not find that item number
I will improvise on the top and bottom as no cnc guys around my area
Hi Andrew,
If I were to use the riser plates, for the SBR20UU bearings, do you know what size bolts I would need to use?
Thank you
Hey Andrew! I know youāre swamped, but Iām in the DFW area and would love to discuss commissioning one of these from you if youāre able – if not, Iād settle for sourcing one of those rods that seem to be so hard to come by. Please let me know!
Spencer, thanks for reaching out! I am sending you an email now.
Andrew, I don’t want to impose, but wonder if you have any more of the rods available in DFW?
Yes sir I do, shoot me an email at andrew at andrewgrabbs dot com.
Andrew, love this build! Iāve been able to find everything but the compression springs. Your link to the Amazon product shows āCurrently Unavailable.ā In the video, your part list shows the springs coming from Allied – I donāt know what company/site this is but would love to know if they do still carry them if you can give me their full name and/or website. Thank you, Steve.
Steve, thanks! The compression springs can be bought via this direct link to Allied: https://us.rs-online.com/product/rs-pro/121292/70636054/?m=70636054. I’ll update the post as well. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the tutorial. I found this rail kit on Amazon for just under $50, and it came with everything I needed for the linear rod bearing. The rod is about 4″ shorter than the rod that you listed, but it works perfectly. I kept the second rod as a spare. I did have to make some spacers as you mentioned above.
VEVOR Linear Rail Slide 2PCs 20mm x 1200mm Linear Bearing Slide Set with 4Pcs Block Bearings SC20UU+4Pcs Shaft Support
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1SCPP3L
so you didn’t have any trouble mounting the bearings with the above design?
Thanks, this is awesome. Do you know if this fits the wahoo kickr core?
You’re welcome! Thanks for giving it a read. The V2 design will fit the Wahoo KICKR Core.
Hello Andrew,
that is a very interesting project. Thanks for all your effort.
I would like to set up a V2 board for my kickr core configuration, but sadly there is no link on your Google drive.
Could you please send me a working link or forward the zip file to my email?
Hi Andrew,
This is fantastic! Just dove in and ordered a bunch of parts and found a cnc guy in my area. I have a Kickr Core, so it looks like I need the v2 .dxf files but it looks like the link is broken. Could I get you to send me those? Thanks!
Hi there,
I was wondering if you had the files for the V2 that would fit the Kickr Core? I have the Core version with the straight support legs.
Cheers
Thanks for your design. I hope to get one of these set up, but I need to find a local CNC shop. Also, would it be possible for me to edit the design to allow for a 1200 mm rod isntead?
Hey Andrew!
I really like you project, but I guess it will not work with Elite Drivo I, which I own.
Is there any chance that you can adjust your project to this trainer?
Cheers!
Piotr,
Thank you! Unfortunately at this time I don’t have the capacity to adjust the project; however, I have had people use Elite Diretos with my particular design. I hope that helps!
I will be using the SCS20UU bearings following your instructions; I will need to use a riser. I can’t find any instructions on how to make or buy these risers. I’m going to forego finding a CNC guy in my area, and I’ll just be doing it myself with the saws/tools I have. Can you please point me to the dimensions I could use?
Sorry for the delayed response, here is the link for the riser plate:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_RapH79j7H7eBe2XD-JVfd-4K1QpUmD1/view?usp=sharing
How does the riser plate fit with the V3 SCS20UU bearings? I am able to see the plans, just have a hard time conceptualizing, and didnāt see any videos that helped show this. I likely will be doing this without a CNC machine, do you have a good way to see the specific measurements for v3? E.g do you have a specific iOS or computer program to easily view the DXF files?
Christopher,
The risers sandwich between the top of the SC20UU bearings and the top plate, allowing for more clearance in the side to side motion. As far as a good iOS computer program, I am unsure. I modeled it in Windows. I did a quick google for “ios dxf viewer” and a few came up, but not sure if any are good or free.
Risers I saw the dimensions on your DXF file. Is this a piece of wood or metal? And what is the thickness?
It can be wood/metal/plastic/. I have used wood and rubber (skateboard truck risers off amazon). Anywhere from 3mm to 5mm. It can’t hurt to use more, it’s just going to raise the top deck.
Hi, my name is Domenico and I’m writing from Italy. Excellent project. If I used springs with 2.5mm wire and 28mm external diameter but only 120mm in length… considering the slight compression I would have to give to stabilize the upper board, would the oscillation be little?
Otherwise I could use springs with 2mm wire and 28mm diameter with a length of 150mm.
I don’t know and I would like your suggestion on this hypothesis: If the springs are 120mm, having the wire 2.5mm (instead of 2mm) I would still get good resistance.
What do you think?
These are theoretical reasonings also because I haven’t seen your test of your Rocker Plate.
Hello, thanks and see you soon š
Domenico, thanks! I would be lying if I told you I knew anything about compression rates of springs. A lot of this has been done solely based on “feel”. I’d suggest giving it a shot.
Ciao Domenico,
I come from Italy too and I am very interested in realising this project of Andrew, whom I thank :).
However, I am having difficulty finding the various parts (I don’t have much experience on this stuff). Could you suggest where you got them, whether online or in some shop (Tecnomat?), and how much did you spend more or less?
For example, I found this rod:https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BLKP7D55/ref=twister_B0BLKN7S4C?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
but it only measures 1000, not 1400 as expected.
Thank you!
Thank you! I would recommend shopping on ebay/aliexpress for the parts. I’m not sure what suppliers are available in Italy, so I’d be lying if I recommended anything.
Hey Andrew! It seems that the link to v2 is broken. Is there any place I could find those? Do you know if this design will fit an Elite Direto x?
Thanks!
Jan
I have updated the links, I’ve had people use Elite Direto Xs with my rocker plate design.
Andrew,
Your work is phenomenal and it’s amazingly generous of you to share. Thank you!
I’m going to dive in. I’ve found most of what I need, but the springs are eluding me. The provided amazon link isn’t available. Do you have a couple you’re willing to sell & mail?
sure, shoot me an email, anything at andrewgrabbs.com I’ll arrange a shipment.
I realized I could scroll your parts chart to the right, then could see the link for the spring at Allied and was able to purchase them (5 minimum) there. I wasn’t able to delete the comment I’d posted asking you if you had some, due to it waiting on approval, and next comment blocked meanwhile I suppose. Thanks for being willing to ship some. A day’s worth (3 for me) of coffees await you, thanks to Scott Lawson’s suggestion you took. Most of my supplies for a build should arrive soon, decent plywood still on the search menu.
And I might finally get to take up the offer of a friend. A couple of years ago I helped him move a large CNC router across the state to his shop, physically level it and set it up, reprogram it after he deleted all its calibrations, figure out how a CNC router works, and choose & set up programs and such for him to use. In turn, he said I could use it anytime I’d like. A two and a half hour drive to visit and play on the machine seems in my future.
that’s awesome! If you remember, send me some updates when you get it all finished. I love seeing some good CNC work.
Andrew- if you set-up the “Buy me a coffee” app, I’ll definitely tip you for sharing this with the world. I could’ve figured it out, but you’ve saved me an incredible amount of time and multiple mistakes. FYI- I got several bids for the CNC work- one was for $433 and another was $150. I have no idea what a fair market price on this is but definitely worth shopping around!!!
Scott, I’m glad it was helpful. That’s always my goal. I hope you find a good deal on the CNC’ing and I took your suggestion and made a “buy me a coffee” button! Thank you!
Hi Andrew,
Will the V3 be available in Multi printabel?
Looking forward to start the project for my Wahoo Kickr..
Unfortunately, I have no plans to. A nice guy on the Facebook Rocker Plate group page made print outs for the V2.
Thank you for quick answer. Did not fond the v2file in the fbgroup so I went for the V1. Question: How do I center the trainer the easiest way on the top plate (Wahoo Kickr).
On my design there is a center line. I try to get the bicycle + trainer centered as best as possible to that line and then add the counter weight as necessary.
Hey Andrew, great work with the design and thanks for posting.
I’m currently using a Wahoo Kickr Core and wondering where this is compatible with your design? I’m looking to assemble all the parts together and get building soon.
Cheers,
Lee
Thanks Lee!
The Kickr Core should work fine with the V3 design.
Great thanks for the reply Andrew. Would I be right in assuming that V3 is essentially the same as V1 with a wider profile at the rear to accommodate the wider trainers? I’ve bought SCS20UU and proceeded with the V1 design using the multi page template, and now recognise that it isn’t wide enough for the Kickr Core, so perhaps hoping / thinking I can widen the rear of the V1 design to accommodate the Core without too much other modification. I’m planning to use risers in the build.
Cheers,
Lee
Lee,
That’s correct, the V3 is just wider rear platform. It also has a lot more material removed from the base, but this was to reduce shipping weight, it’s not necessary.
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for your excellent designs and video. I’ve bought all the parts (using your links), and am about to start building one. The only CNC place I could find in the area has a $300 minimum, so between that, and the cost of some nice birch ply, I figured I’d just buy this KOM rocker plate: (https://komcycling.com/collections/indoor-accessories/products/rocker-plate-rpv1), and cannibalize the plates from it, as well as the balls. I like the look and the finish, and it saves me some running around. (I will need to router out some channels on the lower plate for the fore/aft ball movement.)
I do have one question: I have the SCS20UU linear bearings, and they don’t seem to rotate easily on the rod – the linear motion is smooth and fluid, but the rotation around the rod requires some force. Is this expected with new bearings? Will it resolve once I have the leverage from the top plate? The bearings in your video seem to spin around freely – just worried I may have got some defective ones.
Thanks again for these resources, and for responding to everyone’s questions!
David
David,
Thanks for the support! As for the linear bearings, they should be fine, once you load them up with weight I don’t imagine you’ll notice them “sticking”.
Have you determined if there would be a weight limit rider and bike. Iām a bigger guy about 275lb with my surley midnight special, and kicker core with axis feet
I have not determined how much weight it can hold; however, the weakest link would be the linear rod bearings. That being said, the kilogram-force of these bearings is pretty high. Here is the chart that outlines the kgf of a single bearing: https://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/n-ou1isn/1mog83/product_images/uploaded_images/linear-bearing-dimensions3.jpg
Hi!
Really appreciate the drawings, i have sourced all the needed parts and are in the hunt for a CNC-shop to get the plywood cut out.
One question regarding lengt of the top-plate. I ride a size L Scoot Speedster gravelbike, and its about 145 cm from back of trainer to where i would prefer to strap the front tire. How mutch do i need to lengthen the front of the plate and the holes for the straps, or can i just cut it out without any mods?
Best regards from Sweden
Daniel
Daniel,
The board is about 152.4cm in length, as long as you back the trainer up to the back I think you’ll be fine.