The Naked Scientists

[Johan Bornman]

Some of you may have heard Dr Chris Smith, the original Naked Scientist on Radio 702 this morning. 

 

He's brilliant in answering people's scientific questions off-the-cuff but this morning he fluffed a cycling question.  Someone phoned in and asked why he could balance on a moving bicycle and not a stationery one.

 

He responded with the usual "gyroscopic forces" answer. Sadly, he's wrong, but not the first to make this mistake. Gyro forces have nothing to do with balancing on a bike, as is evident from kids on scooters with inline skate wheels and of course, ice skates themselves.

 

One can balance on a bicycle because you continually steer into the fall. It's like balancing a broomstick vertically on the palm of your hand. If the stick falls to the left, you move your hand to the left and same for right, fore and aft. This way you continually restore the point where the stick's centre of gravity is directly above its base, albeit small.

 

On a bike, the line between the centre of gravity and the base of the structure (that little line between front and rear wheel) is precariously narrow and its therefore easy to fall. However, as you move forward, you continually correct this problem by steering yourself to that spot right underneath your CoG so that you effectively, always fall onto your wheels.

 

Of course this is pedantic and borders on useless information. But someone has to keep these scientists on their toes, especially when they malign our sport with misguided science.

 

 

 

 

[AndreZA]

I think stupidity also plays a roll. Stupid people fall off more/more easily. 

 

 

[HomerSimpson]

The question I want answered is not why I can balance a moving bicycle, but rather why I fall off a moving MTB so many times......oh wait, I think the falling off bit usually happens when I suddenly stop moving

[scotty]

The question I want answered is not why I can balance a moving bicycle' date=' but rather why I fall off a moving MTB so many times......oh wait, I think the falling off bit usually happens when I suddenly stop moving[/quote']

 lol

[FanieFiets]

You can balance a broom on your hand?!?!?!?! waar is ons kantoor se besem! 

[AndreZA]

Normally trying to ocupy the same piece of ground as another object also causes one to fall. Especially if the "other" object comes toward you at the same, slower or greater, speed then you are traveling.

 

 

[RockCoach]

Yes, I've heard gyroscopic forces as explanation before which I didn't

agree with. I think myself and greatwhite have discussed this topic before

on a lsd trip ride.

 

 

 

So then the next question is: how do we manage to balance (track/trail stand) on bikes while stationary? 

[ChrisH]

Johan can I hijack your thread quickly, but I have to know, is Reuben the Screwman on TV your brother?

Everytime I see his program I expect to see a Raleigh on the workshop wall. He's got your mannerisms, haircut, accent and strange beardy thing going. 

 

Either that or he spends a lot of his time taking the piss out of you.

[Guest Big H]

Reason why you fall..... Newton.

 

Mass of a Newton= 1 x red apple (must be ripe)

 

A Newton/Metre Hold the apple in your outstretched arm

[SwissVan]

Reason why you fall..... Newton.

 

Mass of a Newton= 1 x red apple (must be ripe)

 

A Newton/Metre Hold the apple in your outstretched arm

 

Big H - your supposed to eat the apple, not play with it! (I suspect you been drinking to many apples in this case) Tee Hee...

 

 

[Guest Big H]

Some of you may have heard Dr Chris Smith' date=' the original Naked Scientist on Radio 702 this morning. 

 

He's brilliant in answering people's scientific questions off-the-cuff but this morning he fluffed a cycling question.  Someone phoned in and asked why he could balance on a moving bicycle and not a stationery one. 

[/quote']

 

And I was assured by many that it is those little carbon training wheels that keep most cyclists upright....... geee............. I nearly started believing them!!!!!!!