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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!mmm!schley
From: schley@mmm.UUCP (Steve Schley)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Stationary Trainers, Rollers, Winter
Message-ID: <319@mmm.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Nov-85 14:26:21 EST
Article-I.D.: mmm.319
Posted: Fri Nov 15 14:26:21 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Nov-85 20:57:38 EST
References: <1327@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP>
Reply-To: schley@mmm.UUCP (Steve Schley)
Organization: 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.
Lines: 43

In article <1327@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP> eam3@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP
(edward a. morris) writes:
>Just a follow-up to my query of some weeks past.
>
>...
>I live in a *small* apartment, and went with the Piggy-Back.  It is
>relatively quiet, takes up little space, and gives a good workout at
>my level of riding (former cross-country runner in first year of 
>biking).  I am currently working up some cadence/gearing/time charts
>based on some workouts a friend of mine suggested.  This, combined
>with weight training and some running will hopefully keep me ahead
>of the game for next spring.
>
I have been considering this unit as well, due to the frame-stress
troubles I have been hearing about.  There's another 'odd-ball' trainer
out there, by Eclipse, I think.  It, too, leaves the front wheel alone
and lifts the rear wheel, but with a roller/fan under the wheel, it
works on bikes with rear racks.  Has anyone out there tried this unit?

>Am also thinking of developing an interface to a PC-compatible micro,
>and some software to monitor and trigger different stages of a 
>stationary workout.  Any ideas?
>
I've long wanted to do something like this.  The local YMCA has some
exercise cycles that do this, with a fancy LED readout and varying
work-load throughout the preprogrammed workout.  I think Huffy (!)
makes them.

One way to do this is to hook a motor/generator up to the rear wheel,
through a roller contact or something.  Let the computer (anything but
a PC!  Oh, sorry, got off the subject there...) monitor speed through
crank and wheel sensors, and dynamically adjust an electrical load to
simulate wind resistance, acceleration inertia, hills, et cetera.  One
could even simulate deceleration inertia by putting energy _into_ the
motor.

Another approach would be to use frictional loading, controlling some
caliper brakes with a stepper motor or some such affair.  This would be
simpler, but not as flexible.
-- 
	Steve Schley

	ihnp4!mmm!schley