Hello all.
The local university here (UFRGS - Brazil) invited me to take part in a research on their Exercise Biomechanics Lab (translated freely). They have developed a set of pedals which measure the force applied to in 3 axis ( longitudinal, lateral, and “perpendicular”, which would translate to the force applied to rotating the crank ).
They intend to calculate ratios of efficiency based on force applied to spin the cranks versus total applied force, and evaluate it based on pedaling technique, seat position, etc. I’m just one of the invited test subjects so I still don’t know all the inner workings, but I believe something of this sort could provide interesting feedback to wheter or not round pedalling is after all the most efficient, etc.
So, my question: has anyone seen any sort of research on this area, so we could know what else has been done in this field, and what specifically we should look into?
Thanks & good riding,
Lots has been done on this. Good place to start is the book Bicycling Science by Whitt and Wilson. I am sure AC and many others on this list know even better sources.
Tell them to reserve one spot for a PowerCranker.
Hello all.
The local university here (UFRGS - Brazil) invited me to take part in a research on their Exercise Biomechanics Lab (translated freely). They have developed a set of pedals which measure the force applied to in 3 axis ( longitudinal, lateral, and “perpendicular”, which would translate to the force applied to rotating the crank ).
They intend to calculate ratios of efficiency based on force applied to spin the cranks versus total applied force, and evaluate it based on pedaling technique, seat position, etc. I’m just one of the invited test subjects so I still don’t know all the inner workings, but I believe something of this sort could provide interesting feedback to wheter or not round pedalling is after all the most efficient, etc.
So, my question: has anyone seen any sort of research on this area, so we could know what else has been done in this field, and what specifically we should look into?
Another wasted effort as this has already been done
many times and the published results are available
if you are prepared to do some searching. Would
all this research have taken place if grants had not
been available. How can you discover whether or
round pedaling is the most efficient way to pedal
when all you will be testing is variations of the same
basic pedaling style, a style where a dead area exists
and where maximum pedal pressure is applied
between 2 and 4 o’clock in a straight downward
direction. The results in all this research have always
been inconslusive and it has been found that
stomping as hard as you can on the pedals is just
as effective as ankling or conscious round pedaling.
Also effective pulling up did not give any additional
advantage.
Why not research the following,
Can the dead spot area be eliminated by natural
pedaling technique and normal pedaling equipment?
Can chronic “on the bike” lower back pain be completely eliminated?
Is it possible to combine arm resistance with leg
power for increased overall pedal power when riding
at speed in the saddle?
Can the workload and risk of injury to the knees be
reduced especially when using the higher gears?
Can a safer and more comfortable aerodynamic
position on the saddle be used by the elimination
of the tendency to slide forward?
The answer to all these questions is yes and the
solution lies in a completely different linear style of
pedaling. The best measureing equipment will not
improve pedaling technique, that can only be done by getting on the bike and experimenting with every
possible way there is to turn the pedals but most
if not all serious bike riders are not prepared to
“waste” time doing this more valuable research.
Just like using powercranks or the rotor system, it
takes weeks/months to adjust to new positions and
equipment before any reliable results can be arrived
at by testing and this testing can be done by using
a short time trial course.