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spin bikes (aka spinning cycle or group cycle)
Dear All,
I am a student at Staffordshire University, studying a BA(Hons) in Product Design. For my final year I am going to be designing a new spin bike (aka spinning cycle or group cycle), but at the moment my knowledge is limited. Who better to ask, than people who are into fitness or cyclists? So in my investigation I was told to use the Google Groups for help. In my research I will be looking at existing Spin bikes. So if people could reply with problems that have occurred when using the bikes, I would be very grateful. An example of this could be sitting on the bike, paddling, or the general style. This would be a great help to me and vital research for the project. Thank you for your time and hope to hear from people, soon. |
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#2
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begin quoting Chris Bastock :
I am a student at Staffordshire University, studying a BA(Hons) in Product Design. For my final year I am going to be designing a new spin bike (aka spinning cycle or group cycle), but at the moment my knowledge is limited. I have a good idea; something a bit like a spin bike, but useful for transport, and which lets you see the country. We could call it "a bicycle". Who better to ask, than people who are into fitness or cyclists? Seriously, for a moment, cyclists are terrible people to ask about spin bikes. With very few exceptions, those of us who do want to sit indoors use real bikes on trainers. occurred when using the bikes, I would be very grateful. An example of this could be sitting on the bike, paddling, or the general style. Canoeists would be best for advice on paddling. -- David Damerell flcl? Today is Leicesterday, February. |
#3
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Chris Bastock wrote: Dear All, I am a student at Staffordshire University, studying a BA(Hons) in Product Design. For my final year I am going to be designing a new spin bike (aka spinning cycle or group cycle), but at the moment my knowledge is limited. Who better to ask, than people who are into fitness or cyclists? So in my investigation I was told to use the Google Groups for help. In my research I will be looking at existing Spin bikes. So if people could reply with problems that have occurred when using the bikes, I would be very grateful. An example of this could be sitting on the bike, paddling, or the general style. This would be a great help to me and vital research for the project. Thank you for your time and hope to hear from people, soon. |
#4
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My personal "spin" bike sits on a set of spinning rollers and is not in
need of improvement. However, when I have fooled around with an exer-cycle, I have thought that it would be nice if, while peddling the bike, the bike would mimic the motion of a real bike by moving slightly from side to side. I think that might provide a more natural rhythm and thus encourage longer workouts. Actually, the position of spin cyclists is not nearly as refined as those who actually spend the needed time to make sure their bicycle fits them properly, so even if the spin bike could mimic the side to side feel of a real bike it probably wouldn't provide much improvement. A poorly fitting bicycle of any kind is not much of a joy to use. Never mind. Chris Bastock wrote: Dear All, I am a student at Staffordshire University, studying a BA(Hons) in Product Design. For my final year I am going to be designing a new spin bike (aka spinning cycle or group cycle), but at the moment my knowledge is limited. Who better to ask, than people who are into fitness or cyclists? So in my investigation I was told to use the Google Groups for help. In my research I will be looking at existing Spin bikes. So if people could reply with problems that have occurred when using the bikes, I would be very grateful. An example of this could be sitting on the bike, paddling, or the general style. This would be a great help to me and vital research for the project. Thank you for your time and hope to hear from people, soon. ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#5
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Chris Bastock wrote:
So if people could reply with problems that have occurred when using the bikes, I would be very grateful. An example of this could be sitting on the bike, paddling, or the general style. There are no accurate readouts for tension on the bikes I've used, so going to a preset level of difficulty is... difficult. Cyclocomputers are needed with some spin cycle brands to measure crank revs. Finer adjustments for seat location (up/down, fore/aft) would be useful, as the the no-slip pin holes (used as safety measures, of course) are fairly far apart. Measurement marks could be applied so that seating position could be repeated easily. "Consumer" padded saddles are not a good choice. Some saddle attachment mechanisms are cheesy-- not all that secure while still being difficult to adjust for tilt. "Better music" (if any) and "no instructor microphones allowed". --TP |
#6
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wrote: Chris Bastock wrote: So if people could reply with problems that have occurred when using the bikes, I would be very grateful. An example of this could be sitting on the bike, paddling, or the general style. There are no accurate readouts for tension on the bikes I've used, so going to a preset level of difficulty is... difficult. True, but the better instructors lead people by perceived extertion. "50%", "75%", and "100%" effort levels are different for each person, and thus any preset tension level is meaningless. Cyclocomputers are needed with some spin cycle brands to measure crank revs. The local "studio" has Lemond Revmasters http://www.lemondfitness.com/products/ , which have pretty comprehensive computers installed: http://www.lemondfitness.com/products/pilot/index.html I find that they're fairly informative when the batteries are fresh. Finer adjustments for seat location (up/down, fore/aft) would be useful, as the the no-slip pin holes (used as safety measures, of course) are fairly far apart. Measurement marks could be applied so that seating position could be repeated easily. The Lemonds have infinitely adjustable seat and handlebar mounts. I'm as comfortable on them as I've ever been on an upright bike. "Consumer" padded saddles are not a good choice. Some saddle attachment mechanisms are cheesy-- not all that secure while still being difficult to adjust for tilt. Agreed. Gooshy padding absolutely sucks. A relatively "hard" saddle is much more pleasant to ride on. "Better music" (if any) and "no instructor microphones allowed". --TP Music is the choice of the instructor- most of it is hideous, some is barely tolerable. However, my taste in music (from Tom Lehrer to Red Hot Chili Peppers) might not go over well, either. I prefer to hear the instructor, though- coordinated exercise is one of the attractions of Spin classes. It bugs the heck out of me when I *can't* hear the instructor. Jeff |
#7
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I've got four years experience particpating in spin classes and two
years experience maintaining the spin bikes. From a user perspective, I have some suggestions for improvement: 1. The bikes are used by a wide range of particpants. Some are Iron Man Hawaii qualifiers, others are cardiac rehab graduates. Some participants are over six feet tall, others are only four-foot-six. Some folks want an upright position, other need full aero. Pins that fit into holes on one inch centers are horrible. You need very wide range of adjustment and infinitely adjustable within the range. 2. It would be great to have a way that we could all use our own pedals. The mountain bikers are happy with the SPD pedals, but the triathletes and century riders want their Look and Time kit. The rehabbers seem to be happy with toe clips. 3. How about some cool electronics? I want to be able to record cadence, heart rate and watts onto my usb memory chip so I can load it into my training log at home. Most of us bikers vanish from the spin classes when the temperature gets over 4C and the sun rises before 0600. I would come back more often if I could get the training data. If you're designing from scratch what's a couple of strain gages and prox sensors. 4. One water bottle holder is not enough for the 90+ minute classes. 5. Seat angle should be user adjustable. The ladies seem like the seats tipped up a little. The full aero guys claim fertility problems. Maintenance issues: 1. Material selection and product design should be predicated on the machines being used in the salt water pool. The stronger athletes DRENCH the machines in sweat. It goes everywhe bearings, fasteners and inside the tubing where it can't be dried. 2. The chain lines in any models can not be adjusted and the machines clatter horribly. If your bike sounded that bad and vibrated that much, you would throw it in the ditch. 3. The component quality supplied by the manufacturers is very low. Bottom brackets, pedals and seats are consumed at alarming rates. 4. Brakes should be consistent from machine to machine. Many brakes rely on a foam rubber backer that comes in a dizzying array of thicknesses and durometers. Have fun with your project. |
#8
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Scott wrote:
...peddling... Chris Bastock wrote: ...paddling... App shrieked: It is spelled "pedaling". PEDALING!! GODDAMMIT, PEDALING!!!!!!! Ooof. I feel better. App |
#9
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On 23 Feb 2005 10:24:37 -0800, "
wrote: Scott wrote: ...peddling... Chris Bastock wrote: ...paddling... App shrieked: It is spelled "pedaling". PEDALING!! GODDAMMIT, PEDALING!!!!!!! Ooof. I feel better. App Dear App, Or pedalling, if a piddling correction is appropriate. Carl Fogel |
#10
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Jeff Willis wrote:
(snip) but the better instructors lead people by perceived extertion. "50%", "75%", and "100%" effort levels are different for each person, and thus any preset tension level is meaningless. Not preset, but "dial-able", unlike the twist knob that adjusts the felt pads on the Tomahawk bikes I've used or seen in a couple of different places. This arrangement makes it difficult to go to a level of resistance consistently, especially when changing back and forth between "climbs" and "sprints". Useful would be something like having one-tooth cog jumps but even smaller. Then the rider picks the "gear" that takes them to some imaginary percentage of effort. Um, "repeatability". And quicker than fishing with a dial. The felt-pad bikes are also inconsistent from machine to machine, which partly reflects a lot of use. Remember, I'm recommending to the OP. I just ride what they have and make it work at Spin sessions. "Could be better". Thanks for the Lemond link. Curious to see how they did "infinite adj." securely. I prefer to hear the instructor, though- coordinated exercise is one of the attractions of Spin classes. It bugs the heck out of me when I *can't* hear the instructor. Hey, cute girls are another attraction. Let's tell the truth, the ratio is generally up compared to the usual road ride. Some instructors have no idea what their audience is hearing. Your ears are especially delicate during exercise as has been noted here and elsewhere. Earplugs are probably declasse but nice bright orange ones would send a message. "Spin mix console" as another option? At the YMCA where I go, they started using radio. Cool, you don't use the earphones, you can hear the instructor but *not* the music. Brilliant f'n solution, concentration on mechanics and effort is made much easier. --TP |
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