Construction of a test bench for bicycle rim and disc brakes

In this paper the development of a test bench which can be used to check the behaviour of bicycle brakes (disc brakes and in the next stage of extension rim brakes) during a brake cycle under dry and wet conditions is described. Additional, there is the option to perform endurance tests. For the dimensioning of the test bench, calculations of theoretical possible brake torques, measurements with acceleration sensors, high speed camera and Fuji Prescale measuring Films have been done. A special focus was laid on usability and the reducing of the mechanical changing time during serial tests. The programmed real-time control, based on a LabView RealTime System was created to automate the test procedure as it is defined in the test protocol. The system gives information about brake hysteresis function, a function connecting the lever(hand)- and measured brake force(torque).