Telemetry Team

About the Team

The Telemetry team is responsible for the bike's electronic systems to both assist with design & testing of the SUBMARINE downhill bike, focusing on both performance and rider experience. They are improving the onboard hardware with a more robust microprocessor and developing an innovative system to allow dynamic suspension adjustments while riding, contributing to the overall performance and competitiveness of the SD² downhill bike.

Overview

Suspension telemetry is quickly becoming commonplace in world cup downhill teams, allowing riders and mechanics to better understand the behaviour of a bike suspension. The telemetry team provides the opportunity for members to explore the interface between electronics and mountain biking.
The Telemetry team is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of the bike's electronic and on-board pilot systems.
This includes developing robust and reliable onboard hardware, incorporating a new microprocessor for enhanced performance.
The team is also creating an innovative system for dynamic suspension adjustment, allowing riders to fine-tune the rear shock settings midway through a trail/race, receiving suggestions from the onboard pilot.
Throughout the project, the Telemetry team will work closely with the Frame team and riders to integrate their systems seamlessly and ensure optimal performance in all conditions.
Data gathered during testing and racing will be analysed by the team to inform future development and improvements to the telemetry systems.

Details

The system in development utilises a linear potentiometer which outputs a different voltage dependent on its position. When attached the rear shock or fork this measures the position of the bike suspension. A micro-controller interprets the signal from the linear potentiometer and records the data on its internal memory. This data can then be downloaded and post processed following the ride or test, some conclusions can then be drawn about the performance of the suspension based upon this data. The micro-controller is housed inside a 3D printed casing, this and the potentiometer can then be mounted to any bike for gathering suspension data.

Arduino micro-controller in 3D printed housing

Linear potentiometer mounted to a member of the team's bike

Plotted suspension data gathered in an early test ride

Latest 3D printed casings and designs of the linear potentiometer

Producing a software that uses analysis of the suspension to make the bike faster. The team will do this by making the bike balanced and we are trialling several algorithms, all aiming to change compression and rebound settings so that the regression of both the fork and shocks are the same.

Aims and Objectives for the year

Upgrade the hardware system
Switching to a new microprocessor and making the overall system more robust
Design and build a system that can make changes to the suspension settings of the rear shock (specifically the low and high speed compression) as you ride down a trail based off of the measured suspension characteristic

Possibly designing to include:

Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity to facilitate wireless download of data following a run or testing session (this will be especially helpful during winter test rides)
A run timer added by integrating a bar mounted stop/start button to the system
Sealed waterproof housing for micro-controller

Click here for the latest news on the progress of our projects

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