Cycling exercise machines

mistry

Hi ,

I'm working a project this year to design an exercise cycling machine. The aim is to improve the functioanlity of current design and design a conrol system to allow data such as pedal force, cadence, acceleration etc to be montired and controled. A novel resistance mechanism will be used, which will be controlled by the trainer allowing them to creat individual training programms for sports men and women.

Initaly I am trying to understand from a coaching and trianing persepective what is required from an exercise cycling machine. What limitations do you feel that current deisgns have and what would you linke to see? I appreciate your time and would welcome any ideas!

Thanks very much!

Slimbods

Make them not so boring that you want to eat your own brain.

Bronzie

These are the things I'd look for in an "ideal" indoor trainer - many of them are already available in current products, though I don't think all are available in a single product (at least, not one that is affordable to the average person).

- "feel" as close as possible to a real bike - obviously there is a limit to how close you can get, but things like
a) having the riding position widely adjustable to mimic your bike position
b) having the pedals set apart about the right distance
c) having a big enough flywheel to mimic the inertia you have when moving and
d) having the method of achieving resistance as close as possible to road feel

- reliable power output display and ability to record sessions for later analysis - this is the expensive bit as reliable power measuring technology is still fairly pricey.

- ability to download training sessions to the unit so that you can just concentrate on the pedalling rather than faffing about changing resistance and watching the timer (ie Cycleops Powerbeam turbo trainer can do this I believe)

- make it stable enough that you can do hard sprint efforts on it (ie Wattbike)

Of course, cost is also an issue, and if you can incorporate all of the above without making the machine hugely expensive then you are onto a winner.

shockedsoshocked

Be able to swap pedals about.

Blonde

Stuff that occured to me:
Who are the target market?
Cyclists are less likely to buy a seperate indoor cycling machine, but are more likely use their own bike(s) on a turbo trainner or rollers. Non- cyclists tend to use flat pedals with trainers. I agree that current spinning bikes seem to have too wide a gap between the pedals. Cycling position may be dependent on who your target market are though..Cyclists may find the spinning bike cycling position (even though it is somewhat adjustable) is very difficult to set up any where near to the position on a road bike, which effects performance and the "feel" of the training. Non cyclists may not find a cycling position which mimics that of riding a road bike very comfortable or easy to adapt to. Obviously factors such as flexibilty, disabilites etc will also effect bike position set-up for optimum comfort and performance. Can a spinning bike be made so adjustable that it will suit all?