How much torque can an avid cyclist produce?

[Barry1492]

I'm trying to figure out a target value for the amount of resistance to be placed on the flywheel of an exercise machine that we're designing.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[ivymike]

I would guess that it would be difficult for the cyclist to regularly impart 2x his weight as downforce on a pedal (although he could do it intermittently by bouncing a bit). Peak torque for the ex bike should probably be somewhere less than 2*(weight of cyclist)*(length of crank arm). Now if you just knew how much he'd weigh...

 

[JStephen]

For an exercise bike, you'd probably want to design for the average torque, not the absolute maximum.

On an actual bicycle, the maximum torque in most cases will be a heavy person standing on just one pedal. Maybe you need to make the crank strong enough for that, but no reason to assume that someone's going to pedal like that for half an hour.

You might try some research on the Gossamer Albatross (or Condor or whatever it was)- plane that flew the English Channel. Seems like I've read a power output for that, which used a first-class in-shape cyclist doing his utmost. Your normal overweight person sure isn't going to top whatever he put out on that plane.

 

[TheTick]

It might be better to start from the standpoint of how much power a fit cyclist will generate.

 

[MintJulep]

Take a look at MIL-STD-1472 for Human Factors. Lots of information about the force a fit person can produce in various positions.

If memory serves, a fit cyclist can sustain about 250 watts for extended periods.

 

[Barry1492]

Thanks. I got an answer from a running forum on another site. Turns out that an elite cyclist will peak at around 1,000 inch-pounds during an endurance race.