Shocking experience

[RocknRolla]

your riding....it's shocking.

[madbradd]

It's part of Faraday's Law and Maxwell's Equations if I remember correctly (same laws that make motors and generators work)

 

Basically the overhead lines create a magnetic field. the strength of that magnetic field is dependent on a few things of which the weather is one, clothing, and rider are others. Also whether you're riding parallel or perpendicular to the lines, or whether there are any objects around you which could amplify the field in any way (like a palisade fence)

 

Then you apply the "object moving through a magnetic field" principles which basically means that an electric current will flow. This gives you the shock.

Some people get it while riding next to electric fences as well.

 

Interesting that it affects different people differently, I've had it when my riding buddy hasn't, and vice versa.

[Kerchak]

O my liewe ouers. There I thought I was loosing my mind. My buddies did not believe me. Even when we were riding together it only happened to me. I can now stop with the therapy. But, seriously my nuts realy get a proper shock. I usually ride standing with legs wide open.

[scotty]

Question is why should it happen to some riders and not others. 

[turbosnail]

It's part of Faraday's Law and Maxwell's Equations if I remember correctly (same laws that make motors and generators work)

 

Basically the overhead lines create a magnetic field. the strength of that magnetic field is dependent on a few things of which the weather is one, clothing, and rider are others. Also whether you're riding parallel or perpendicular to the lines, or whether there are any objects around you which could amplify the field in any way (like a palisade fence)

 

Then you apply the "object moving through a magnetic field" principles which basically means that an electric current will flow. This gives you the shock.

Some people get it while riding next to electric fences as well.

 

Interesting that it affects different people differently, I've had it when my riding buddy hasn't, and vice versa.

Madbradd is on the right track. Induced energy from the electrical field for the low hanging power lines carrying serious power.

I have this experience often because of seats using Manganese seat rails. Change the seat to other type rails (carbon) - problem gone

[Tumbleweed]

Question is why should it happen to some riders and not others. 

 

Maybe it's the way they conduct themselves on their rides...

 

Okay, lame, I'll go to bed now...

[turbosnail]

Expensive fix.... Easier to watch for low hanging lines and stand.

[Thor Buttox]

Happens at Koeberg all the time, unsurprisingly. I just touch any piece of metal with both sets of fingers, like my handlebar. Works like a charm - the inner thigh shocks do work as fat busting, I am told.

[BrandonF_]

Never happened to me before,..but then, I only ride during Load shedding..????

[BenReaper]

Madbradd is on the right track. Induced energy from the electrical field for the low hanging power lines carrying serious power.

I have this experience often because of seats using Manganese seat rails. Change the seat to other type rails (carbon) - problem gone

Also had this problem with a previous bike,and after getting a new bike with a different saddle it didnt happen again.

I also figured it to have something to do with the rails of the previous saddle.

Glad to hear that there is some truth to my theory.

[droo]

You sure it was your bike?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bN76TvJspY

[MaxUmis]

Put your thumb onto the bolt holding you gearshifter or breakleaver on the bars.

Problem gone.

[edgarblount]

Put your thumb onto the bolt holding you gearshifter or breakleaver on the bars.

Problem gone.

It helps just keeping my fingers on the brake levers and I have put some insulation tape on the rails underneath the seat. Every now and again I do get a suprise though.

 

Zzzzzz, eina f0k...

[madbradd]

Question is why should it happen to some riders and not others. 

 

Could be a number of factors. How sweaty one's chamois is for example.

 

The rule with electricity is that it will always try to take the easiest path from one place (referred to as potential) to another. The rider, seat, seatpost, frame, handlebars and back to the rider's hands form a loop (Electric current's always like to flow in loops).

 

So when you stand up, you break that part of the circuit and your feet shoes pedals crank bottom bracket now close the loop. Your shoes are (probably) better insulators than your sweaty chamois, so can break the circuit (also the bottom bracket shell if it's a pressfit). That said it could also create a separate loop (which is possibly why putting your fingers on the bolt stops it, because then there is a "better" loop between your feet and your hands). Then your gloves and grips also make a difference, as does your grip.

 

So given the above, you can see that there are loads of ways for the electricity to flow. different kit, different bikes different cycling positions all affect it. On top of that all everybody has a different tolerance for feeling electric shocks. All gets very complicated and maybe I should do my PhD on this actually....

 

Bottom line, you're not mad - some really smart guys proved it a long time ago