Re: [CR]Bio-Pace

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

From: "Russell Mowat" <russell.mowat@virgin.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <6d.ed8940b.27a99a64@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Bio-Pace
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2001 21:45:32 -0000


The timing of this topic is most coincidental. I rode my 1966 Flying Scot for the first time on Sunday, built up with the best of the junk which was lying about the garage. The chainset I used was a Bio-Pace, the first time I had ever ridden it. I found it very comfortable to ride and managed some fairly steep climbs with the limited range of gears on the bike without any difficulty. I have never weighed the chainset but I presume that with steel rings it will be quite heavy. Were these available with alloy rings?

Russell Mowat


----- Original Message -----
From: OROBOYZ@aol.com
To: wspokes1@hotmail.com
Sent: 31 January 2001 16:42
Subject: [CR]Bio-Pace



> I must abstain from the uniform heckle that these much maligned chain rings
> receive.. In fact, let it be noted that condemnation of these chain rings is
> universally conformed to by all with-it cyclists..
>
> BUT let's review the theory that propelled Shimano to spend so much time and
> money promoting BioPace..
>
> It was decided, in the Shimano R&D department, that the natural circular
> pedaling action didn't use all the muscle systems in the legs properly.. That
> some muscles are stronger and others weaker or in a position not to be
> effectively used in the pedaling action. The down stroke was the strongest
> and the back of the stroke was the least useful. Rather than oblige riders to
> learn a difficult technique (learn Spinning, acquire "Souplesse", or
> whatever) they decided to design chain rings that optimized the down stroke
> and minimized the rest.
>
> The Biopace chain rings are elliptical and "lobed" to emphasize the power
> stroke and "slip through" the back stroke. (Incidentally, elliptical chain
> rings are an old concept and have been revisited many times in cycling
> history.) In use, the BioPace chain rings cater to novice riders and/or
> tourists who pedal more slowly and tend to put more emphasis on the down
> stroke. This obviously was the anathema to experienced riders who had been
> constantly urging neophytes to pedal "correctly."
>
> Back in the late 1970s, I receive from Wayne Stetina at Shimano one of the
> first sets of BioPace chain rings brought into the USA .. He wanted me to
> ride them and provide feedback. I mounted the crank set on my McLean touring
> bike and after rode for a few months (back in my more active days!) I noticed
> the odd loping effect, bobbing almost, as one pedaled but adapted to it
> quickly. Eventually I got to not mind that effect at all and maybe believe it
> wasn't all that bad.. But the BioPace definitely doesn't encourage high rpm
> pedaling and perhaps encourages chugging along in bigger gears than one ought
> to be using.
>
> So, historically they are interesting, but functionally BioPace was probably
> a hindrance to advancing in technique and pedaling style.. But also not a
> total joke to my view....

>

> Dale Brown