On the Effectiveness of Suspension Stems in Reducing the Vibration Transmitted to a Cyclist’s Hands in Road Cycling

Abstract

The practice of road cycling is often associated with low levels of comfort for the cyclist and can be a physically painful experience on bad roads. Apart from cushioning in the saddle, applying handlebar tape, or reducing tyre pressure, a road bicycle offers in itself few options for comfort improvement, as it is primarily designed for performance, with emphasis on low mass and high stiffness. However, a range of components exist (e.g., suspension stems and seatposts) that can be fitted to a road bicycle, which can potentially improve comfort. In this context, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of suspension stems in reducing the vibration transmitted to a cyclist’s hands in the case of impact loading. The results showed an important reduction in the vibrational energy transmitted to a cyclist’s hands with two commercially available suspension stems compared to a regular stem.

Keywords

• road bicycle
• dynamic comfort
• vibration
• suspension stem
• transmitted energy