We have been measuring applied force on the ground with force platforms. Thus, we realized that the applied force to ground of right pedal always bigger than left one.
There might not be much difference in overall force transfer moving the bicycle drivetrain from the right to the left.
Some people have a dominance in their starting leg and this may be favoured to the right leg. This probably answers your question.
Right side drivetrains originate from rotating clockwise causes bolts to tighten, this dates back to the first "safety bicycles"introduced in the 19th century. With the drivetrain on the right, more (standard threaded) parts will be rotating clockwise and thus tightening themselves as the rider pedals.
Left-hand drivetrains are possible, but more difficult to create because more reverse-threaded parts are needed. Generally, things like pedals and bottom brackets have threads that are reversed/asymmetric on one side. They're made specifically to work when the drivetrain is on the right—tightening themselves as the rider pedals. If these standard parts are placed on a bicycle with a drivetrain on the left, then those same parts will be loosening themselves as the rider rides.
But why do right-turning bolts tighten? Shortly before the safety bicycle was introduced in the 19th century, the right-turning convention was adopted because it's better to have all bolts work the same way and it's easier to turn them with your right hand. And most people are right handed.
The mechanics would probably not change, maybe it's a psychological effect, making athletes pedal harder on the side of the power train. Or, as Chris suggested, it might be a question of limb dominance, which you should be able to answer by asking the athletes or by measuring differences between leg extension strength of the right and the left leg.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Force