Cycling Position Research Articles

Ergonomic study on cycling

Among the various factors the position of saddle and handle which decide the cycling posture, the crank length and the gear-ratio are most important factors for the best cycling. For the first time we made some experiments on the influence of the gear-ratio to the maximum speed and the best mechanical efficiency of cycling. In order to research the most effective gear-ratio we measured the O2-consumption, heart-rate and the work done by the rider (1) in his full-speed cycling of 1000 meters and (2) in the steady state at various speeds, by using the bicycle test stand specially designed. The O2-concentration of expired gas was continuouslymeasured by the O2-gas analysor of Nihon-Gaishi Company.The diagram of O2-consumption against every gear-ratio in various constant speed and the diagram of the lap-time against every gear-ratio resembled each other in different individual. It was deduced from the diagram that the best gear-ratio for the most efficient and speedy cycling was in general higher than usual one.