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From: mmt@dciem.UUCP (Martin Taylor)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: A question of balance - (nf)
Message-ID: <231@dciem.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 31-May-83 10:28:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: dciem.231
Posted: Tue May 31 10:28:08 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 31-May-83 16:26:16 EDT
References: ucbcad.586
Lines: 9

The whole question of bicycle physics was dealt with in a Scientific
American article (I think it was a cover article) a few years ago.
Gyroscopic action has nothing to do with it, but the placement of the
front hub with respect to the projection of the shaft which connects
the handlebars to the front wheel is the key factor. A bike can be
made so stable that it is tough to shift from its chosen path, or
so sensitive that it needs continuous monitoring. I don't know the
details, but you could find the reference in an index to Scientific
American.