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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Javier Abad, Dr Luis Castejon, Professor Roberto Palacin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2024 by the authors. The comfort and safety of a cyclist are directly influenced by the vibrational behavior of the handlebar. Hence, the objective of this article is to comparatively assess the vibrational characteristics of two bicycle handlebars: one made of steel and the other made of braided composite material. The transmissibility function represents the relationship between the excitation applied to both handlebars through their stems and the corresponding response in the handle area, which was experimentally obtained by applying a random vibrating signal (constant amplitude of 0.01 g2/Hz) using a shaker. This signal was applied in a frequency range between 100 Hz and 1200 Hz, and the response was measured at one of the two cantilevered ends of the handlebar. Different sensors, including a laser vibrometer and a control accelerometer in the shaker, were utilized. The transmissibility, natural frequencies and damping functions were obtained. Subsequently, another experimental analysis was carried out with the instrumented handlebars mounted on a bicycle, placing three accelerometers and a GPS meter and traveling through a real test circuit, with a rough surface, speed bumps and areas with shaped warning bands. Power Spectral Density (PSD) curves were obtained for the steel and carbon-fiber-composite handlebars in order to quantify the signal intensity. Finally, a fatigue analysis was carried out in order to evaluate the expected life of both handlebars under the experimentally applied load, which is considered the reference cycle. This study offers a comparative analysis of the vibration behavior exhibited by steel and carbon-fiber-composite bicycle handlebars under experimentally applied load. In conclusion, data on natural frequencies, damping functions and fatigue life expectancy for both handlebar materials were obtained. Our study provides valuable insights into the vibrational behavior and performance characteristics of steel and carbon-fiber-composite bicycle handlebars, contributing to the understanding of their comfort and safety implications for cyclists.
Author(s): Abad J, Castejon L, Cuartero J, Palacin R
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Sensors
Year: 2024
Volume: 24
Issue: 6
Online publication date: 08/03/2024
Acceptance date: 05/03/2024
Date deposited: 08/04/2024
ISSN (electronic): 1424-8220
Publisher: MDPI
URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/s24061767
DOI: 10.3390/s24061767
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