Enduro Bicycle Fatigue Analysis
Problem statement
In Enduro racing, the front fork suspension is constantly subjected to a variety of random loads, only amplified by the downhill aspect, where the weight of the rider and bike becomes shifted forward onto this fork. Due to these loads, front fork longevity can be shortened, affecting competitors who rely on consistent front suspension for the long racing hours they spend on the bike.1 While Enduro bike suspension has greatly improved over the years, in a competitive market with competitive clients, outputting the suspension with the best functionality and lifetime creates an edge for a manufacturer. In both the general industry and even more so Enduro and mountain biking, our client, SRAM, is a leader of innovation and success, especially in the high end top quality market, where customers demand a light and strong product.2 We intend to give SRAM a way to ensure their RockShox front fork suspension components maintain both reliability and performance throughout the repeated impacts and stresses of Enduro racing, where resistance to fatigue is critical for both performance and success, by completing an in depth fatigue analysis of anodized vs non-anodized material through testing and real world sample data. With fatigue the main driver for any structural failure in cycling but trade-offs in corrosive resistance, this testing is crucial for material selection in SRAM’s future innovation.
Team members
Connor Mahoney – facilitator
Nathan Hautefeuille – communicator
Matthew Palmer – accountant
Will Ates – admin
Client
Jeremy Senn
SRAM