- #1
mrkevelev
- 5
- 0
Let's say I'm riding a bike at constant speed. Also assume that the person riding is rigid, no moving of the persons body, constant center of gravity. Assuming that there is sufficient friction between the tires and road. If I apply the front brakes, I will likely tip over. If I apply the rear brakes, I will likely NOT tip over. If I only use the rear brakes, is it even possible to tip the bike over? What I think would happen is this:
I start decelerating. My center of gravity is above the pivot point on the front wheel, so I start to pitch forward. Because of the pitching moment, the friction of the rear tire on the road decreases. Since the grip has lessoned, the deceleration is less as well. Since the deceleration is less, there is nothing causing me to tip over. So I think there will be a constant balancing of forces, and therefore no tipping. I see this being the case even if the bike were quite taller, like you were riding on a tower (again, assuming no flexing). Is that the case? Not sure about skidding as well.
I start decelerating. My center of gravity is above the pivot point on the front wheel, so I start to pitch forward. Because of the pitching moment, the friction of the rear tire on the road decreases. Since the grip has lessoned, the deceleration is less as well. Since the deceleration is less, there is nothing causing me to tip over. So I think there will be a constant balancing of forces, and therefore no tipping. I see this being the case even if the bike were quite taller, like you were riding on a tower (again, assuming no flexing). Is that the case? Not sure about skidding as well.