How are customers to choose?

The value of many bicycle components is measured against weight. Customers expect and are willing to pay more for components that weigh less than a less expensive alternative. 

Looking at the example of seat posts, the cost vs weight has been plotted against one another. What one would expect to see is a linear relationship between these two references available to the consumer. It appears to be the case however that this relationship becomes unclear when considering the difference between seat posts made from carbon fibre vs aluminum alloy. those made from carbon fibre feature a relationship that trends towards and increase in price with weight reduction yet this features turmoil within the relationship, attributed to niche brands, more complex manufacturing techniques and design features such as vibration damping.

This graphs helps to demonstrate the added value that can be generated through design and engineering but offers few clues to the consumer where this value is going to benefit them. 

It is through this research that I can only stress the importance of communicating features of the design that may benefit the rider, instead of relying on simple common understanding that lighter weight products command higher pricing. 

 Aluminium

Carbon Fibre

Simple concepts to damp vibration

Through research into existing products, I have found that for a vibration damping member to be successful, wherein the transmissibility of vibration is reduced between two points, two factors are critical:

• Surface contact area
• Contact pressure

Existing products that claim to suppress vibrations, such as the Specialized Roubaix, feature viscoelastic vibration dampers that sit within carbon fibre moldings in the seat stay or fork of a bicycle. These are places at which vibrations are transmitted to the rider and including the damping members inside of a carbon molding in this way, generates surface contact area and pressure.

The following concept addresses these desirable properties to damp vibrations but at a much lower cost and with greater simplicity. Moving damping members to the outside of a seat post for example allows for interchanging of densities, to allow riders to customize the rate of damping to suit conditions or weight. 

Another element that this concept deals with is the perception of vibration, with dampers being spaced at progressively closer distances that suggest vibrations are being reduced. 

Making Prototypes

For part of my major project, I have been making a final working prototype of my seat post design. This has been highly enjoyable to see the culmination of months of research and development. This though, is still a working prototype so this is by no means the end, just a way to prove the idea works, withstands load and aids communication of the concept.

IEEC Banner!

Well it has been over a year since returning from a fantastic year at San Francisco State University and i keep getting notifications from the great field of work being done by the IEEC. The IEEC, International Education Exchange Council exists to promote study abroad programs and provide social events and fundraising activities. During my time at SFSU I was an officer within the PR division, responsible for communication and media.

Part of my work in the role was to design a new logo to promote the student led organization, being proudly displayed on the Malcolm X Plaza on campus.

The IEEC organize great social events in the bay area, check it out!
https://www.facebook.com/ieecsfsu

Thomas Gerald Gray Prize

I am delighted to report that I am the successful recipient of the Thomas Gerald Gray prize which is awarded for ‘Greatest Academic Improvement within the Design area’.This is great news for me as i have been trying to constantly improve my work and knowledge of the subject. 


More about the award: The Thomas Gerald Gray Charitable Trust was established in memory of Thomas Gerald Gray, who died in 1988. During his working life in the field of engineering, Thomas Gray was concerned by the lack of appreciation and status of engineering within society. The Charity was registered in 1997 with the objective “to advance public education, particularly concerning engineering and technology and the promotion of study and appreciation of engineering and technology”. During 1999 the Trustees formed a partnership with Brunel with a view to fulfilling the aims of the Charity.


In the name of Thomas Gerald Gray, I aim to similarly raise awareness and appreciation for engineering and technology. I believe in todays global economy, this is becoming ever more important as businesses realize the importance of design, engineering and technology in order to become successful.


Thank you to Brunel and of course, Thomas Gerald Gray for this award.

A study into discomfort on a bicycle.

A large part of my major project investigated what makes a cyclist uncomfortable on a bike. For the most part, incorrect bike fit was to blame. This is being handled beautifully by such systems as the Specialized BG Fit. A cause of discomfort that remains however is the vibration experienced while riding over different road surfaces. Low frequency, high magnitude disturbances are dealt with by suspension systems, yet for higher frequency, low magnitude vibrations such as experienced while cycling on the road. By large, Specialized are the only manufacture tackling this phenomenon and perhaps more importantly, bring solutions, to market with such products as the Specialized Roubaix.

Through research however I have discovered that vibration is felt with higher intensity at the hands. Part of the reason for this is the nature of tactile receptors of the skin that makes up the hand, being much more sensitive to a specific range of frequency and magnitude.

Prototype Mechanism

These prototypes were made to demonstrate the form and functionality of a seat post tilting mechanism, that uses a collar to clamp the saddle. Using clear Acrylic was helpful to communicate how the internals of this mechanism operate.

Tilt Mechanism Prototype

This prototype, demonstrates an approach that uses the movement of two different axes. An outside diameter remains fixed in one axis and when rotated, forces the inner axis to assume a new position, altering the angle of the saddle. This particular prototype was made to explore methods in which to alter the angle of a bicycle saddle. It turned out to require too many parts to be economical for manufacture so a more simple, refined solution was employed.