INVESTIGATION OF POWER OUTPUT ON A NOVEL BICYCLE DRIVE IN COMPARISON WITH THE COMMON BICYCLE DRIVE

Abstract

The aim of this study is to check whether a novel bicycle drive allows a higher power output. In order to be able to judge the efficiency of this drive the power output during use of this specific drive was matched with the one of a traditional bicycle drive. Both maximal power output tests and endurance tests with lactate determination where carried out. During the maximal power output tests a power output increase of 5.2% could be measured. During the endurance tests the anaerobe threshold (4 mmol lactate / l blood) at 80 rpm could be raised by 4.17 W, this is equivalent to 2.4%. At four time trials of an amateur cycling club the test riders were 5.3% faster with the new drive over the distance of 14.62 km (with a hairpin bend). This corresponds to a power output increase of 15.9%.