CompuTrainer SpinScan & Power

CompuTrainer SpinScan & Power

 

Bike fit sessions now include CompuTrainer power testing and SpinScan pedal stroke analysis

 

“How does an increase in saddle height effect my pedal stroke? Will I get more power output by lowering my aerobars? Does a more aggressive position actually increase my speed on the bike?”

 

These are just a few of the questions that cyclists want the answers to. The CompuTrainer and SpinScan analyser give us the answers to those questions, and takes the guesswork out of the bike fit.

Midland Bike Fit’s dynamic bike fit process uses graphic video biofeedback provided by the SpinScan to evaluate the impact of small adjustments to bike position. The SpinScan feature provides a multi-color torque graph, which represents one full 360-degree pedal revolution divided into 15-degree segments. It will identify “flat” or “dead” spots in the pedal stroke where optimal power is not being transferred to the drive train. This feature is given a quantifiable measure with the SpinScan Number, which is the average torque divided by the maximum torque times 100. If our muscles were able to produce equal torque through the full 360-degree pedal revolution, the spin scan number would be 100. While this is physically impossible, a number between 70 and 90 is considered to be a very efficient transfer of power.

SpinScan
SpinScan also provides a polar graph as another way to analyse the information provided by the CompuTrainer. An un-balanced ‘peanut’ shape indicates there is a significant dead spot at top dead centre of the pedal stroke, whilst the size of each side of the diagram indicates the % contribution of the right and left leg respectively. The balance of power distribution between the left and right leg can identify strength imbalance as well as bone structure (leg length discrepancies) or soft tissue (flexibility) limitations. Once identified, these can be corrected either through the bike fit process, a new flexibility or strength program, or by referral to a physio.

SpinScan

Experience has shown that after an initial pedal stroke evaluation with the SpinScan, most people can improve their pedaling efficiency by as much as 20-25% in their first session alone simply by making improvements to bike position. During a session at Midland Bike Fit we will work on improving this even further. By studying your pedalling action in detail we can look at ways to improve your technique, maximise your power output, and increase all round efficiency.
So, once we’ve dialed in that saddle position, set your cleats to just the right angle, corrected that leg length discrepancy that you never knew you had and got you feeling comfortable and powerful on the bike, it’s time to test the new position.

Using the CompuTrainer Ergometer function, we are able to put you through a few intervals at varying power outputs and grades, to see if the new set up holds together when riding under load (this means you will be working quite hard!) At this point we will take on board both rider feedback, and also the numbers from the CompuTrainer power meter / SpinScan to see where improvements have been made, and where further changes to the bike position are necessary.

The SpinScan analysis and CompuTrainer power meter testing are part of every bike fitting package at Midland Bike Fit.

We look forward to working with you!

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