TMS Bicycle, stable without gyros or trail (TMS=two-mass-skate) on HackerTube: recommended by 2 Hacker News commenters across 1 month, 2013–2019.
demo · intermediate · evergreen
Arend Schwab demonstrates a research bicycle, the two-mass-skate design, that balances itself without gyroscopic effects or trail. It challenges the common explanations for why a moving bicycle stays upright.
HN commenters cite it as the author's own demonstration of research showing that bicycle stability is not explained by gyroscopes.
“Explanation of the research in question behind this article, as well as a demonstration of the bike they based the research on.”
4 Hacker News comments link this video. Each one links back to its thread.
We do know, here is the paper that the journalist refers to: [link] And here is a great video by the author: ▶ this video Short answer: "a bicycle should turn into a fall."
in “We still don't really know how bicycles work” · View on HN
[1] Explanation of the research in question behind this article, as well as a demonstration of the bike they based the research on. They very clearly describe (at the end of the video) that even with gyroscopic and tracking forces removed, the two most important factors are where the center of gravity is, and the tendency to turn into a fall (arguably just the second, but it is caused by the location of the center of gravity with regards to the pivot). [1] ▶ this video Edit: more info on the TMS (two-mass skate) bike at its wikipedia page: [link]
in “We still don't really know how bicycles work” · View on HN
There was still active research into why bicycles are stable as recently as 2011. Here's a talk about that research: ▶ this video If the bicycle was some sort of "obvious" machine, people wouldn't still be studying the basic stability mechanics 200 years later. Very few things are as simple as they seem. Even levers can get a bit complicated.
in “Why did we wait so long for the bicycle?” · View on HN
I don't think either of us understands that experiment. Fortunately, actual engineers have proven that bicycles don't stay upright from gyroscopic effects. [0] [1] If you want to experiment, try riding a bike that can't be turned. You might want to wear a helmet for that one. [0] [link] [1] ▶ this video
in “How Far Can a Motorcycle Lean in a Turn?” · View on HN