Just a thought.

I wonder if there's an easy way to calculate the power output of a human
pedaling on a bicycle. The only idea that comes to mind is some sort of
method to sense the torque applied to the wheels, and then calculate the
power output from there using classical mechanics. How would one go about
sensing the applied torque though? The ideas I'm currently thinking of don'=
t
seem practical for installation in a normal bicycle - such as a pressure
sensor at some point  along the radius of the hub, sensing the arc pressure
and calling that "force at radius" (torque).

Or - how about pressure sensors on the pedals? The applied pedaling force i=
s
directly related to the torque. Human power output can be calculated from
there. But then there's the issue of bogus pressure applied by the body
which doesn't actually go into doing any work (for example, when standing o=
n
the pedals).

Any other ideas?
--=20
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.