You can contact us at customerservice@velocityrockers.com if you have any questions about the Velocity Rocker, or any rocker plate related topic. We are enthusiastic about the product we have created and are happy to assist. After all, it is an important addition to your pain cave. In fact, it is the literal foundation for making your indoor cycling workouts more comfortable and realistic. Every addition should have a justifiable purpose in this personally curated space. The hours you spend in your pain cave should be optimal. There should be less risk of injury and it should always be an enjoyable place to suffer.
Maintenance and Operation
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- Find a level surface, and place the Delta RS rocker plate on a carpet, rug or rubber exercise mat. If using it on a wood or tile floor without an exercise mat, install the included rubber feet to the bottom of the bottom plate where there are pre-drilled starter holes. Screw in the included bubble level next to the Made in USA sticker where there are pre-drilled holes. Be careful not to overtighten the screws.
- If you are setting up in a garage or basement or on any uneven surface, you will need to make sure the bottom plate is level prior to install. Garages and basements typically have concrete that is poured at a slope for drainage in case of flooding. Use shims and a level (purchased at a hardware store), placing the shims where needed in order to make the bottom plate level, front to back and side to side.
- Place your spin bike on the top plate and center it along the midline. Place the rubber squares under the spin bike’s contact points.
- If using a trainer and bike, with both still on the ground, measure the distance from the back of the trainer to where the front wheel touches the ground. Record this distance. Using the above measurement, determine which of the three possible lengths (shortest, medium or longest) to extend the extension plate by placing the extension plate on the top plate with the narrower end towards the front. It is best to keep the length of the extension plate as short as possible for maximum overall rocker plate rigidity. Screw in the correct pair of aluminum rails to the bottom of the extension plate to ensure maximum rigidity. Attach the extension plate at the determined length using the eight bolts, washers and wingnuts. Hand tighten the wingnuts. Place your trainer on the top plate and attach your bicycle to the trainer. Center the bicycle along the midline of the top plate. Place the rubber squares under the trainer’s contact points.
- Using the provided straps, strap down the trainer securely at the closest holes to the trainer’s or spin bike’s horizontal legs.
- Using the integrated spirit level, determine if the plate favors leaning to one side more strongly than the other. This occurs when the flywheel of the trainer is not centered such as with the Kickr or Kickr Core smart trainers.
- If the top plate is favoring a lean to one side, use a counterweight (usually 10 to 15 lbs.) to offset the lean. Place the weight (a dumbbell, kettlebell, or plate) on the opposite side from the flywheel at a distance such that the plate no longer strongly favors a lean to one particular side. This step can be skipped and the Delta RS can be leveled using steps 6 and 7 alone, but the asymmetrical pressure of the balls will give the rider different rocking resistance and a different feel as the bike rocks from one side to the other. Therefore setting it up using this step is highly recommended.
- Using the included air needle and a bicycle pump, slightly inflate the included 5” or 6” balls. For a rider weighing under 200 lbs. and riding on a bike/trainer setup, the five-inch balls may be the best choice. A larger rider on a bike and trainer or a heavier setup riding a smart bike or spin bike may be better suited using the six-inch balls. Place each ball between the two plates, centered in the middle of the 3 ½” x 10” cutout groove of the bottom plate with the inflation hole made accessible through the larger hole on each side of the top plate..
- Inflate each ball equally so that the bubble is centered in the spirit level. Using the low pressure ball gauge to measure the psi, aim for 4 to 6 psi max for the five-inch balls and 2 to 4 psi for the six-inch balls. The low pressure ball gauge will not show a reading until there is at least 2 psi in the balls. Too much air may also cause the balls to fail and pop while in use. Too little and you will be struggling to keep the bike upright (platform level). Ultimately, using less inflated balls will give the rider a more realistic riding experience and will help to engage the core muscles more effectively.
- Plug in your smart trainer into a power strip and LED lights into a USB charging port. Also, plug in any fan(s), Kickr Climb, electronics, etc. into the power strip, if using.
- Follow the included directions to set up the LED strip lights for use.
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Because the Delta RS rocker plate is inherently unstable from left to right, caution should be taken when mounting and dismounting your bicycle.
Mounting: From the left side of the bicycle, hold onto the left side of the bicycle’s handlebar with your left hand and the saddle with your right hand. Place your shoe on the left pedal and clip in if possible. Stand high on the left pedal as you swing your right leg over the saddle from behind to the other side. As you do this, move your right hand from the saddle to the right side of the handlebar. Mounting the bicycle is done in one coordinated motion, much like one would mount the saddle of a horse from the left while one’s foot is in the left stirrup. Use the opposite foot and hand placement if mounting from the right.
Dismounting: Reverse the mounting directions exactly when dismounting.
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The waterproof surface of the Delta RS is easily cleaned with a mild cleaner like Windex or a soapy rag followed by a quick wipe with a clean dry rag. For grease or oil stains caused by a dirty drivetrain, use a mild degreaser to lift the stain first, then clean as described above.
The Delta RS requires very little maintenance. However, to keep the moving parts in good condition, periodically (once a month if using often):
- Check the psi in the balls and dial in your setup as described above.
- VERY IMPORTANT: The bearings come well lubricated at the time of purchase but will need regular maintenance to operate smoothly and to prevent damage. Wipe down the steel rod with a clean paper towel or cloth 4 inches on either side of the bearings. This is best done standing the Delta RS on its back end and accessing the rod from the cutouts on the bottom plate. Apply the included bearing-specific grease with a paper towel, a sponge brush or latex gloves on the circumference of the steel rod also 4 inches on either side of the bearings. This jar of grease should last several years.
Before your indoor riding season or more often if you are putting in big miles/kms you should perform a more thorough bearing service. Working on a bench or table will be more comfortable for you.
- The first step is to remove the extension plate, then the top plate and disassemble the Delta RS so you can thoroughly pack the pillow block bearings with grease while wearing latex gloves or something equivalent. Remove the 16 bolts of the top plate and move it aside.
- Loosen (or remove and reapply Loctite 222 to the threads) the stand-off support bolts so you can slide the rod to access and remove the bearings.
- After removing the pillow block bearings, apply grease liberally to the inside to fully coat the bearings, reassemble the bearings, washers and spring in order as found (Take a photo beforehand to be sure). Do this for the other pair of bearings in the same manner.
- Reattach stand-off screws (recommended to use Loctite 222 on threads).
- To reattach the top plate, screw in the front and back pillow block bearings to 80% tight. Next, screw in the two middle pillow block bearings. Tighten all snugly and you’re done.
3. Periodically check all fastening bolts on both the top and bottom plates and the rod supports to make sure none of them are loosening, which may occur over time. Tighten if necessary.
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The caster wheels are to be used only when moving your Delta RS rocker plate, trainer and bike setup to a new location or to clean the area it currently occupies without having to disassemble it. THEY ARE NOT to be used while riding.
HOW TO INSTALL: Lift the back end (you might need help if your setup is heavy with a large flywheel, etc.) and place some supports (like some scrap pieces of 2 x 4 wood or yoga blocks) under the bottom plate at the back edge. Then install the included casters from below through the holes at the back corners and secure them into place with the included washers and wing nuts. Lift the front end to move the Delta RS to a new location.
*Note: The widest part of the Delta RS is 33 inches, so take this into account when attempting to wheel it through interior doors, which are commonly 32 inches in width. In such a case, removal of the trainer and bike from the Delta RS will be necessary if moving it to a new location.
Warranty and Policies
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Velocity Rockers maintains a three year parts warranty and customer service support for the original purchaser. Please see our Terms of Service.
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You have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it in, “like new” condition.
To initiate return, contact us at customerservice@velocityrockers.com explaining the reason for your return. If your return request is accepted, we’ll send you instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
The cost of return shipping is to be paid by the purchaser.
If you have any questions regarding the return policy and Terms of Sale, please contact us at customerservice@velocityrockers.com.
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After receiving and inspecting your return, if we determine it is in “like new” condition, you will be refunded the purchase price on your original payment method, less any shipping costs. Please allow a few days for the refunded amount to be posted to your credit account.
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Please inspect your order upon receiving it and contact us immediately if it has incurred any damage during delivery. Please document with photos any and all damage to packaging materials and the product itself. In this situation, we work with the delivery company to have them cover the costs of returning the item. A replacement item will be sent to you free of charge.
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Shipping is calculated at checkout. Free shipping for all orders within the Continental 48 United States. Additional shipping costs will be charged for International orders outside the U.S. and will be set according to zones established by the shipping carriers. Orders are shipped within 2 to 3 business days. In the event that shipping is delayed, the buyer will be notified by email.
For returns, the buyer is responsible for the cost of return shipping.