Authors:

Alexander VAN GASTEL, Kobe HERMANS, Jochen VLEUGELS, Stijn VERWULGEN

University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15221/24.53

Full paper:

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Keywords:

Uphill cycling, Saddle incline, Frontal area, Power output, comfort, Biomechanical efficiency

Abstract:

This study investigates the impact of saddle inclination on cycling comfort, frontal area, and power output during uphill cycling, a key challenge in events like the Tour de France. While bike-fitting and bicycle geometry advances have enhanced the cycling experience, little research has focused on bike-fitting for uphill cycling and optimizing saddle tilt for uphill performance. Recently, the adoption of saddle incline by top cyclists such as Tadej Pogacar and 2016 amendments to the Union Cycliste Internationale's (UCI) regulations have increased interest in the benefits of saddle incline. Previous studies have suggested the following benefits from saddle incline: 1) increased comfort, 2) improved metabolic power efficiency, 3) positively modified muscle activation, 4) decreased perceived exertion, and 5) reduced oxygen consumption. All of those could improve performance on challenging climbs. To further assess the precise biomechanics and potential benefits of saddle incline, this study will examine 1) comfort, 2) projected drag area, and 3) power output. Thirteen cyclists of varying experience levels participated in four sessions with saddle inclinations of 0°, 2°, 4°, and 6° while cycling on a simulator set to a 4° uphill slope. The results of this study indicate that there is no definitive ratio between saddle inclination and slope angle that universally optimizes comfort, aero, and power output for all riders. Notably, the saddle incline-to-slope ratio does influence comfort but is highly individualized. A 4° saddle incline received a mean comfort score of 7.4 ± 1.5, while a 0° saddle incline scored a lower 6.76 ± 1.74. The projected frontal area, a key measure in aerodynamics, was 1.5% lower when comparing a 4° inclined saddle to a horizontal saddle but was not statistically significant. Power output was greater for a horizontal saddle, with a measured 1,02% increase in power output compared to the lowest score gathered from a 4° saddle incline. However, this result was also not statistically significant.

How to Cite (MLA):

Van Gastel, Alexander, et al., "Uphill Cycling: Investigating the Effects of Saddle Incline on Comfort, Frontal Area, and Power Output", 3DBODY.TECH Journal, vol. 1, Oct. 2024, #53, https://doi.org/10.15221/24.53.

Presentation:

VIDEO availble in proceedings

Details:

Volume/Issue: 3DBODY.TECH Journal - Vol. 1, 2024
Paper: #53
Published: 2024/10/30
Presented at: 3DBODY.TECH 2024, 22-23 Oct. 2024, Lugano, Switzerland
Proceedings: 3DBODY.TECH 2024 Proceedings

License/Copyright notice

Copyright © 2024 by the author(s).
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
The papers appearing in the journal reflect the author's opinions. Their inclusion in the volumes does not necessary constitute endorsement by the editor or by the publisher.

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