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Bike Invention Ideas from me and Stu

Hi Everyone,

Me and Stu were wondering if anyone had any constructive advice about our ideas. We had a long dicussion while trudging through the snow in Edinburgh. Have a read, hopefully you can stay awake:

1. This invention is to overcome some of the shortcomings of the mid arch cleat position (reduced sprint power). Your shoes would have two sets of cleats on them, one in the the mid arch and the other in the standard position. This way you could switch to mid arch for long climbs or solo efforts, and revert back to a more powerful sprint position for the accelerations and sprints (used in grand tours perhaps). The change in saddle height would have to be addressed. A prototype seat post could use a similar system to height adjustable crutches, with two settings (one standard one low). Later stages could use a handlebar triggered height change, but that would be complicated at the moment. The change in position may cause concern, but under consideration, the muscles used when climbing are dramatically different anyway to riding on the flat. You could also train in both positions.

2. This invention is to address leg and pelvic imbalances (training tool). It is a saddle that can rotate on an axis running from the front to the back. This way you would have to keep the pressure even on each sit bone to stop it tilting. There are many mechanisms of fixing the rotation, and also providing some degree of resistance to stop completely free tilt.

3. This invention is to improving knee tracking and determine optimum varus/valgus for wedges. It is a pedal that is shaped like ball on a tow bar. The cleat is a bearing race that attached around the ball (ball and socket). This would provide completely free free float and movement on the front to back axis. With a mirror the rider could tilt their feet to the point where their knee is aligned. Not only would you train your muscles to track correctly, but the optimum number of varus/valgus wedges could be determined by measuring the tilt. This is only a training tool to be used on the turbo.

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