Thorn Cycles Forum

Technical => General Technical => Topic started by: Andre Jute on December 07, 2015, 06:13:42 PM

Title: Road Vibrations Transmitted to the Cyclist
Post by: Andre Jute on December 07, 2015, 06:13:42 PM
An Australian chum, James Stewart, has found a really interesting paper about road vibrations transmitted through the cyclist's hands and bottom. You can download the full text of the article free of charge at:

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/270917366_Using_Power_as_a_Metric_to_Quantify_Vibration_Transmitted_to_the_Cyclist  (http://www.researchgate.net/publication/270917366_Using_Power_as_a_Metric_to_Quantify_Vibration_Transmitted_to_the_Cyclist)

James says:

Quote
Note that the frequency band where most energy is transmitted to the
cyclists hands extends from around 30Hz to 50Hz.

The frequency distribution at the seat post may be slightly different
due to the differences in stiffness of the vibration transmission path,
but I doubt there will be "notes" well up in the audible spectrum.

Your arse is much better at absorbing vibration energy than each of your
hands, but both hands absorb about as much as your arse.

About 8W total is absorbed by your arse and hands.

Also, though the differences between the two bikes was not significant,
bike A was reputed to be less comfortable, and indeed the results showed
the same - although by a small measured difference.