Proposal of New Load Cells Based on Shoe Cleats to Measure Forces and Moments Applied by a Cyclist

Abstract

In recent years, cycling has become increasingly pointed out as one of the solutions for solving transportation problems in major metropolitan clusters. Thus, as the user base increases, there is also an increase in the number of adopters concerned about optimizing their effort during pedaling. This work, therefore, sought to develop a load cell that replaces commercial cycling shoe cleats. The transducer (with 6 degrees of freedom) was modeled after a Maltese cross type load cell, culminating in a two-part set formed by the transducer itself and a mounting base. They were built to measure forces and moments, fully characterizing the pedaling movement. As a result, a compact and portable system was obtained, which does not modify the user's pedaling characteristics, allowing freedom of movement and ease of change between bicycles (provided that the pedal system is compatible).