Re: Gyroscopes - Usenet Physics FAQ - Reference frames

From: crynwulf (lyttlec_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 08/03/04 

Date: Tue, 03 Aug 2004 23:02:43 GMT

Brian Quincy Hutchings wrote:

> I got this the other day,
> on using a larger bike (with 26" wheels).
> tipping to either side is an acceleration, but
> you are prevented from this -- as an earlier poster noted --
> by the "rake" (?) of the front & rear wheels (if
> the axes of turning were perfectly vertical,
> the sterring would be awfully touchy; if
> the rakes were "backwards" from what they are,
> it might be worse .-)
Correct. If the rake is backwards, the front wheel precesses the wrong
direction. The rider has to make up for that by applying extra control
effort.
> of course, that doesn't quite apply to the rear wheel, since
> it doesn't "turn."
> tipping/tilting is generally accompanied by turning;
> try to do one without the other!
>
> the gyroscopic effect is mostly tactile, I'd say,
> providing nice feedback.

It does give tactile feed back. But have you ever ridden without using your
hands? You can do this because the wheel will precess when you lean. The
gyroscopic effect is small, but that little bit is what makes it so easy to
learn to ride a bike.

> you cannot neglect friction, and
> that is mostly from the air, especially
> if your tires are not inflated -- ha-ha.
> or breathing, one might subtract!
>
> "JM Albuquerque" <jm.aREMOV.E@sapo.pt> wrote in message
> news:<2n995aFs0sleU1@uni-berlin.de>...
>
>> The bigger the bicycle speed is the less the bicycle will trend to fall.
>> Is it magic? (since no force acts upon the bicycle at ANY constant
>> speed). It is not magic, it is called gyroscopic effect.
>
> --Chairman George at Watergate -- doh!
> http://tarpley.net/bush12.htm 

-- 
Russ Lyttle
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