Analyzing the influences of bicycle suspension systems on pedaling forces and human body vibration

Abstract

Front and rear suspensions are commonly equipped on bicycles for the purpose of riding comfort especially for mountain bicycle. Suspension system includes damper for shock absorbing and spring for rebounding. Therefore suspension system would increase leg muscle forces for riding bicycle since damper dissipates some energy. ADAMS‎®‎/LifeMOD‎®‎ are proposed in this research to establish a bicycle-human integrated multibody dynamic model to investigate the impact of bicycle suspensions on cyclist’s leg muscle forces under various pedaling conditions and human body vibration for evaluation of riding comfort. Muscles studied include adductor magnus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and semitendinosus. Comfort analyses include the vibrating acceleration in vertical direction of lower torso and scapula. Pedaling conditions include riding on flat road, over a road bump, and climbing slope. The results indicate that suspension system increases the pedaling forces of vastus lateralis and semitendinosus. However suspension system decreases the pedaling forces of adductor magnus and rectus femoris. Suspension systems, especially the rear suspension, may effectively reduce human body vibrating acceleration. The integrated model built in this research may be used as reference for designing bicycle suspension systems. Also, the results of this study may be used as a basis of leg weight training to strengthen certain muscles for long-distance off-road cyclists

    Similar works