Measurement of Rider Induced Loads during Simulated Bicycling

Abstract

A computer-based instrumentation system which accurately measures the seat, handlebar, and pedal loads together with the absolute pedal position during bicycling is presented. The instrumentation system is unique in that for the first time it allows measurement of handlebar and seat loads. With three test subjects riding on rollers, which simulate actual bicycling, loading data were recorded at constant power for different pedaling rates. Analysis of the data enables load characteristics of all three sources (i.e., pedal, seat, and handlebar) to be categorized as being either subject and pedaling rate independent or subject independent but pedaling rate dependent. A complete set of loading data for one subject is presented to illustrate these characteristics. One interesting finding is that peak levels of all but one of the pedal loads are inversely related to pedaling rate. Peak levels of seat and handlebar loads reactive to the driving loads on the pedals, however, are directly related to pedaling rate. Another interesting result is that handlebar and seat loads, except for the lateral seat moment, go through two cycles for each revolution of the crank arm. The interpretation of these results, as well as others, provides insight into the biomechanics of the pedaling process.

Electromyographic analysis of riding posture during the bicycling start moment

“…Conversely, in a seated posture, the cyclist's mass is mostly supported by the saddle 15 . The findings of this study are supported by individual power profiles and demonstrate that instantaneous power is strongly correlated to pedal normal force 16 . However, the same study has also shown that the overall maximum power is highly correlated to the cyclist's muscle mass.…”

Bicycle seat interface pressure: reliability, validity, and influence of hand position and workload

“…Peak left and right pressures fluctuated up to 59%, and collectively displayed two peaks that correspond to peak pedal loads for each leg (Bolourchi and Hull, 1985). Fluctuations and their timing are likely responses to pedal loading via coordinated muscle actions and weight shifts between contacts (Bolourchi and Hull, 1985;Stone and Hull, 1995). The oscillations in seat pressure may support a blood pumping mechanism previously proposed (Spears et al, 2003) whereby oscillations enhance blood flow through the pudendal arteries and soft tissues in contact with the seat.…”

“…4. Peak left and right pressures fluctuated up to 59%, and collectively displayed two peaks that correspond to peak pedal loads for each leg (Bolourchi and Hull, 1985). Fluctuations and their timing are likely responses to pedal loading via coordinated muscle actions and weight shifts between contacts (Bolourchi and Hull, 1985;Stone and Hull, 1995).…”

A Dynamic System Model for Estimating Surface-Induced Frame Loads During Off-Road Cycling

“…Fixed on the right pedal, one was a pedal dynamometer (Newmiller et al, 1988). The other two dynamometers measured forces at both the handlebars and seat (Bolourchi and Hull, 1985).…”

“…One source is the rider himself who develops loads as a result of the muscular actions associated with pedalling and also by virtue of his static weight. Termed rider-induced loads, these have been either measured or predicted in a number of previous studies for both the seated position (e.g., Bolourchi and Hull, 1985) and standing position (e.g., Stone and Hull, 1993). A second source is the irregular surface over which an off-road bicycle would normally travel.…”