RC6 novo 9
How the bike works
RC6 novo is based on a stable frame, large well
balanced flywheel, brake belt and a pendulum that
measures the braking force. The pedals operate around
the flywheel via a chain, while a stretch mechanism
tightens the brake belt to regulate the braking force
to affect the flywheel. This braking force can be read
directly by the pendulum on the scale on the right side
of the bike.
All changes in the friction between the brake belt
and the flywheel are compensated automatically by
Monark's unique construction.
New on RC6 novo is that you can control the bike
from the display but the bike can, as earlier models,
even be controlled externally from PC or other
equipment. The display functions are described in
section "Monark novo Display Unit". The computer
system consists of Monark novo control unit (built in
the bike) and Monark novo Display Unit, PC or other
external device. Monark novo control unit registers
pedal speed and braking force, and also registers the
test person's heart rate if a chest belt or similar is used.
Monark novo control unit activates an actuator that
adjusts the brake belt tension, which regulates the
workload. This workload is varied automatically in
relation to changes in pedal speed, so that a constant
power is maintained. The bike is standard RPM
independent but can be set to also be RPM dependent
(constant force).
On RC6 novo both RS232- and USB-B-ports are
located on Monark novo control unit behind the left
side front cover. These can be freely used to connect
external devices such as PC, ECG, spirometry, etc. for
which the external device can control the workload
and get real-time data such as power, rpm, pulse and
more from the bike.
For information about how respective control units
work, see section "Connection to external control
unit".
Here are instructions for connection and options for
connection to external devices. If advanced technical
documentation / data protocol for system builders
or similar are required, please contact Monark
Exercise AB.
Operating Instruction Power on crank or flywheel
Monark bikes measure the effect of the flywheel, so it
will be a friction of 6-8% if you measure the impact of
the pedals (if the effect is measured on the crankshaft,
the difference is 4-5 %). The losses will be primarily
due to friction in the chain, pedals and bearings in the
wheels and crank.
RC6 novo is designed for fitness tests and are set
to measure the power at the flywheel, which is the
traditional way in submaximal exercise. The bike can
be set to work with effect in the pedals / crankshaft
(the cycle constant).
Pulse measurement
The person's heart rate ("pulse") can be measured by
a chest belt, or similar heart rate monitor, that register
the pulse signal from your heart and sends it to the
bike with ANT+ or Bluetooth SMART technology.
More information is available in section "Monark
novo Display Unit".
The heart rate can be displayed in Monark novo
Display Unit, in Monark test software or in other
external device.
If you use chest belt
Heart rate monitoring requires that the chest belt is
correctly placed. When it is correctly fitted the logo
on the belt will be central and readable, outward and
upright, by another person. Before putting on the
belt, clean the skin where the belt is to be placed. The
chest belt should be secured at a comfortable tension
around the mid section, just below the breast muscle,
see Fig: Placement chest belt. Moisten the electrodes
before use, see Fig: Moistening the electrodes.
The images above are used with permission of Polar Sweden.
Fig: Placement chest belt
Fig: Moistening the electrodes
