By: Azman Zakaria
Photo: Noor Azreen Awang
SERDANG: A group of researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has successfully produced an innovative mountain bike (MTB) pedal, equipped with a magnetic lock system and safety features for riders.
The innovation, named SAMPS – Self Align Magnetic Bicycle Pedal is designed with biomechanical consideration that emphasises on the characteristics of analysing a rider's leg movement while riding.
The magnetic groove functions as a self-locking system that facilitates a rider during the clip on and clip off movement to ensure the rider’s feet are always in a static position while riding.
Leader of the research group, Ts. Dr. Mohd Shahrizal Dolah, said it aims to prevent physical injuries or accidents among riders.
He said the leg static condition is important to prevent injuries, increase leg power stroke, increases efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
He said SAMPS is a flat bicycle pedal that combines magnetic and self-locking groove system to give more confidence to the riders.
He said it uses a flat pedal and has the same function as the clipless pedal.
"The flat pedal surface provides a comfortable ride and confidence to the riders.
"The magnetic pedal facilitates the static condition of the rider's leg, especially during the downhill route.
"Meanwhile, the self-locking pedal system facilitates biomechanical movement, making it easier for riders to lock and unlock the foot position," he said.
He added that the fieldwork conducted in Malaysia from 2016 to 2019 shows that 85.2% of MTB riders involved in accidents and sustained physical injuries due to the mishandling of bicycle pedal.
The action design research was adopted as the main research method, where the author was actively involved and participated in MTB events to obtain the primary data.
Ts. Dr. Mohd Shahrizal from the Faculty of Design and Architecture said 22 design factors were identified and 20 per cent of them were listed to be used as the Product Design Specifications (PDS) to help reduce physical injuries as well as to maintain the comfort and safety of the riders.
He said the advantage of this product is the self-aligning bicycle pedal locking system which facilitates the riders during the clip on and off movement, while the magnetic system of the bicycle pedal facilitates the static condition of the rider’s leg while riding.
He said it is an effective, low cost and user-friendly bicycle pedal for riders to enhance their mountain biking performance and safety.
The research began in October 2016 and ended in September 2019, and the product has been patented.
Besides him, the members of the research group are Ts. Shahrul Azman Shahbudin, Dr. Saiful Hasley Ramly, Raja Ahmad Azmeer Raja Ahmad Effendi and Muhammad Amaludin Amran. - UPM
