Does Stability Increase With Speed?

[Trekster]

A motorcycle gains stability with speed due mostly to the gyro effect of the spinning wheels. Of course they are wider and much heavier than bicycle wheels.

In regards to a MBB-FWD bicycle, does it also gain stability with speed due to the "gyro effect"? Or, is there no significant stability gain because the overall dynamics between a motorcycle and a bicycle are so much different.

Also, given the amount of weight located in front of the MBB-FWD steering pivot point, might there be a certain speed where the steering could break into a harmonic resonant oscillation thus producing a high frequency "shimmy" that could quickly prove disastrous? Perhaps the feet on the pedals serve as a "dampening" force that counteracts such problems.

As a side note, but somewhat related; I noticed Maria Parker's son must've taken a spill while he was doing the Century ride. He suffered considerable road rash. However, they never mentioned in the video what caused him to go down. Does anyone know what caused it?

 

[Charles.Plager]

I know there's one (century?)

I know there's one (century?) race that Kent did where he hit a gravel patch and fell.

Angular momentum isn't a big effect on bicycles. (I've ridden a bicycle that has zero angular momentum and it didn't feel very different). Yes, it's a larger effect at higher speeds, but I don't think it's enough to make you "more stable." I've never found my Cruzbikes unstable (after getting used to it) even at high speeds (~45 mph). But I've never ridden very quickly down windy roads.

 

[John Tolhurst]

Read Tony Foale on

Read Tony Foale on experiments with trail and angle conducted on a BMW motorbike, this describes where stability comes from.

 

[Trekster]

Info is there

I checked the video of Will Parker doing the ride and the very beginning of the video tells what happened. He did in fact hit a patch of gravel, which put him down.

John... thanks for the reference you gave. I will definitely check that out.

 

[Ivan]

I am finding technique had

I am finding technique had much more of an impact on stability than speed alone. Our bodies respond differently at different speeds so we need to learn stability at different speeds. When first on Silvio on the road, I was not stable above 30kph. Now I am fine at 40-50kph on rolling hills and vehicle drafting. While not experienced on Silvio or any recumbent yet, I am confident enough now that a wobble on the road will NOT be disastrous because I can re-align her and not go out if control.

I hit a slightly sandy patch rounding a corner yesterday, felt my rear slide a few cm but the tyres gripped and continued without drama. Going over speed bumps at speed is another experience that needs good handling stability.

 

[bladderhead]

I went over a speed bump and

I went over a speed bump and I think both wheels left the ground. A bit scary doing free-style on a Grasshopper.