Turning bicycles which way?

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briansnail
Posts: 809
Joined: 1 Sep 2019, 3:07pm

Turning bicycles which way?

Post by briansnail »

Imaginary scenario: Pedal at a steady pace on a deserted stretch preferably grass. Take right hand of bar and gently pull on left. Which way will bike turn?

Its something to do with gyroscopic forces on a Physics book I am reading.
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Nearholmer
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Joined: 26 Mar 2022, 7:13am

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by Nearholmer »

I thought that the gyroscope hypothesis had been superseded by an explanation involving the front of the bike falling faster than the rear, which when combined with caster action (trail) causes self-correction, and depending upon the exact conditions self-over-correction, causing the bike to turn in the “wrong” direction, or rather to oscillate a bit before achieving self-correction.
Dingdong
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Joined: 22 Apr 2022, 4:59pm

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by Dingdong »

That does sound terribly complicated!
Jdsk
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Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by Jdsk »

There are (at least) two different effects being discussed here.

Gyroscopic forces don't hold a bike up when it's running in a straight line but they do affect a leaning bike.

But that gentle pull on the left sounds like a question about the rôle of countersteering in the initiation of turns.

And the answer is that the bike will initially steer to the left, then lean to the right, and if the rider wants to turn right she will then turn the bars to the right and round the bike goes.

Jonathan
Dingdong
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Joined: 22 Apr 2022, 4:59pm

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by Dingdong »

Personally I run with the gyroscopic effect. I once rode 5 miles entirely no hands, up hill, down dale to impress a girl.

It worked. Which was nice :lol:
drossall
Posts: 6115
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:01pm
Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by drossall »

Good job she wasn't on the back of the tandem at the time :lol:
camperman83
Posts: 12
Joined: 9 Sep 2022, 6:13pm

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by camperman83 »

Well i tried it...i think i turned to the left to much and the handles bars just twisted and i fell off
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Tigerbiten
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Joined: 29 Jun 2009, 6:49am

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by Tigerbiten »

Watch "Most People Don't Know How Bikes Work" by Veritasium -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cNmUNH ... Veritasium
Then come back and answer the question.

Luck ........... :D
Dingdong
Posts: 966
Joined: 22 Apr 2022, 4:59pm

Re: Turning bicycles which way?

Post by Dingdong »

I've been able to ride no hands at around 4 miles an hour. Safely!
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