One of the most innovative tools we use is thermal imaging, which allows us to visualise body heat and pressure distribution in real time. We have renamed this application Lava.flow.
Lava.flow enables us to understand and optimise injury-prone zones, muscle activation and pressure points in a completely new way.
Lava.flow
What do we measure?
Hotspots
Detecting hotspots and increased pressure zones on the saddle, shoes or handlebars.
Muscle load
Identifying asymmetrical muscle loading and unbalanced activation patterns.
Vascular restrictions
Analysing vascular restrictions that can lead to numbness or reduced performance.
Overload
Detecting thermal irregularities that may indicate inflammation or overload.
Insight
Why does this matter?
Heat or cold is a direct indication of how your body functions on the bike. An excessive temperature rise in certain regions can point to overload, friction or an incorrect posture.
Imbalance on the saddle causes friction and pressure — and therefore an increased heat pattern. Asymmetrical heat distribution around the kneecap indicates a possible biomechanical problem. Too much heat at the forefoot reveals pressure points caused by an incorrect cleat position, and an elevated temperature in the lower back is often a compensation mechanism or an incorrect saddle setting.
Inside the BikeLab
The measurement, actually captured.
Sample case — real data
Sample case: heat reveals a leg-length difference
A cyclist with knee complaints was experiencing unexplained pain on the bike. Thermal imaging showed an excessive build-up of heat at the shin (m. tibialis anterior). Combined with the leg-length software, this leg turned out to be structurally shorter, so the pedal had to be pulled up from too far down — with knee pain as the result.
Where traditional bike fits are often based on observation and intuition, we use objective, data-driven measurements. Lava.flow gives us a unique, real-time insight into how your body responds while cycling.
Kevin Van Staeyen
Biomechanics expert, former cyclist and bikepacker
Want to know how your body responds to your current riding position?
Book your appointment and discover whether hidden problems are at play.