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1Magline CompassProduct DevelopmentN. James Whitehill IV | 2017
3N. James Whitehill IVSenior Capstone April 2017RIT Industrial Design Faculty advisor: Tim WoodN JAMES WHITEHILL IV RIT | INDUSTRIAL D ESIGN
ExperienceSuperawesome Studios | Owner & FounderDenville, NJ, Rochester, NY | 2012 - PresentT-shirt design and PrintingJames M Plukas Furniture | DesignerRochester, NY | March 2017 - PresentCAD Design, New product developmentBurklyn Ballet Theatre | Graphic DesignerJohnson, VT | 2013 - PresentAdvertising and Promotional Material DesignRIT Bike Shop | Lead Mechanic & ManagerRochester, NY | 2015- 2017Bicycle repair, Inventory, Opening and ClosingLandry’s Bicycles - Production MechanicNatick and Westboro, MA | Summer 2016Bicycle maintenance and repair, Customer ServiceAchievement USAC Collegiate Mountain Bike NationalsDownhill and Dual Slalom FinisherEastern Collegiate Cycling ConferenceMountain Bike Racer | 5 Podium FinishesShimano S-TEC CerticationBike Mechanic CerticationActivitiesRIT CyclingVice President | 2016 - 2017Sponsorship Coordinator | 2015 -2016Scottsville Animal ShelterVolunteer | 2016 - Present
5ABOUT MEAs an industrial designer, I have spent my time exploring many dierent directions and elds. I have always paid close attention to details and enjoyed working on mechanical objects. As a business minor, I work hard to ensure my designs are feasible and marketable. My time as a bike enthusiast and mechanic pushed me to explore the industry as a designer and business person. Outside of the studio, I love exploring and traveling, especially outdoors.
CONTENTS7OVERVIEW USER MARKET PROBLEM9 12 14
7OBJECTIVE RESEARCHIDEATIONSOLUTION18 20 28 34
OVERVIEWAs mountain bike technology advances, the possibilty to have one bike for all types of riding increases. The Magline Compass system aims to create a modular foot retention system allowing easy transition between disciplines or riding styles. The system is designed around a new clipless interface using a mechanical and magnetic coupling to connect the riders foot.Just to clarify-Clip • lessadjective: In reference to bicycle pedals, a two part foot retention system that uses a locking mechanism on the pedal and a cleat on the shoe rather than a traditional toe clip or strap
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THE USERMountain bikers are fun loving thrill seekers that come from all walks of life. As with the entire industry, most riders love the newest technology and gadgets. Younger riders like Adrian often lack the funds for multiple bikes and new technology but still want to ride all disciplines. This means they ride everything on one do it all bike even if it is not ideal.
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NEEDSNew riders to the sport need an inexpensive, multifunctional system with the durability, adjustability and scaleability to grow along with their skills.ADJUSTABLERELIABLEMULTIFUNCTIONALDURABLE AFFORDABLE
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15PROBLEMCurrent bicycle foot retention systems are targeted very specically towards one discipline or use. This lack of versatility means cyclists must purchase a dierent set of pedals for every type of riding. Having the best pedal for every riding situation requires multiple expensive sets of pedals and constant switching between them.
THE MARKETThe cycling industry is a high growth, high risk industry with enormous possibility for innovation. Over the past ten years, extreme and action sports have see an increase of up to 50% in participation while team and ‘traditional’ sports have seen as much as 40% decrease.
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COMPETITIONMagline’s Compass system will compete with the major pedal manufacturers such as Shimano, Crank Brothers, and Speedplay, however it will more directly compete with smaller manufacturers stepping out of the box to create original, innovative designs.
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OBJECTIVEConsidering the problems with existing foot retention, the Compass will be a redesign of the entire system, from the clip mechanism to the body. I will focus on ergonomics, durability, cost, weight, modularity, and versatility. This will be done through research, including conversations with experts in the eld, an in depth ideation process, material testing, and a focus on usability.
21Durable Aordable VersatileErgonomic Modular Lightweight
RESEARCHBeing heavily connected to the cycling industry made research much more involved. The majority of research was conducted through speaking with friends, fellow riders, and industry professionals. Research also included ergonomics and human factors, as well as new technology for couplings and connections.
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Contact with Andrew Palmgren, a professional bicycle tter at Landry’s Bicycles, gave me some quick insights into where to begin research. Andrew shared that bike tters t pedals by recording video of the rider pedaling and carefully analyzing the movement of their knees. They then choose a pedal based on Q-Factor and oat and adjust the cleat on the shoe until the riders knees are staying vertical throughout the pedal stroke. Andrew emphasized the Q-factor or spindle length are often under-addressed but make the biggest dierence when tting.EXPERT INSIGHT
25ERGONOMICSQ- factor refers to the width of the bike at the pedals. Pedals with improper Q- factor can lead to knee and hip problems.Float is the degree you can rotate your foot without releasing the cleat from the pedal. Trouble with oat can also lead to knee problems.Pressure Points in the foot are very sensitive and can lead to pain throughout the body. With proper contact point placement, pressure points can be avoided.
VIDEO STUDYUsing a slow motion camera, I captured footage of cyclists removing their foot from their pedal in an emergency situation. Some riders involved had used existing clipless systems while others had not. Riders who had used clipless pedals even once twisted their foot o in a manner similar to the release motion of existing systems.
27SURVEYS““I was nervous about descending a trail while clipped to a bike and not being able to get out in time.I hate changing pedals for every ride so a lot of the time I ride with the wrong pedal for the ride.
INSPIRATIONModularity, technicality, and pattern drive the function and aesthetic of Magline. Simplistic shapes added and repeated create an overall form more interesting than the parts. Simplistic parts added and repeated create multiple functions and ease of manufacturing.
29see more at pinterest.com/njwiv
IDEATIONAfter extensive research, developement began with sketching, and model making. The rst focus was the mechanism of the clip itself, later moving to the shape and mechanism of the platform. Ergonomics, especially contact points, inuence platform shape heavily.
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SOLUTION Magnetic ConnectionThree Magnets in each clipNegative left and rightPositive Center Body splits and rotatesto remove and replaceCleat Interface with shoeNegative Pole Magnet
33Three Magnets in each clipNegative left and rightPositive Center Cross CountryUltra Light, minimal clip. Ideal for long rides when weight should be shed
TrailMid level protection and traction, Ideal for aggressive trail rides going up and down hills
35DownhillLarge platform with lots of traction and protection, Ideal for bike park downhill
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39CREDITSSourcesSQLab USA - ErgonomicsTenerife Training -ErgonomicsPedaling Innovations - ErgonomicsXtremesport4u - Market Pinkbike - MarketVital MTB - MarketBike Rumor - MarketPhotography and MediaMichael ChungbinClaire OwensMartin MattDavid MeadowsThe Noun Project - IconsSpecial Thanks ToTim Wood - Faculty AdvisorRick Auburn - Shop ManagerDavid Cohen - 3d PrintingJe Phelps - EngineeringAndrew Palmgren - Industry Expert
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