Originally Posted by
Eric F
I'm still trying to wrap my head around how planing (if it's actually a thing) can possibly add more power to propel a bicycle down the road. If energy loaded into the frame is returned by spring action, how can it be more than the additional energy input? If we assume that energy loaded into the frame during the pedal stroke actually is returned to help propel the bike, wouldn't a stiffer frame just increase the quickness of the return?
The energy output has to be less than or equal to what is input. I agree it would be very helpful to have a specific mechanism to test. Several have been suggested in the first few hundred pages of the thread.
A rigid cement floor doesn't make a better jumping surface than a sprung wood floor. Nor does a sagging suspension bridge. You have to have the right kind (elastic) of springiness.
I am starting to think about an analogy with a simple vs. compound bow, where the compound bow is emulating the kind of thing a planing bicycle might do in the sense that it more efficiently channels the energy.