Cyclist likely to be convicted of manslaughter..

[anonymous-user]

Donbot said:

FiF said:

I've never ridden a bike on a banked track but there does seem to be some insistence about it helping stability which either has some foundation in fact, or may be just complete ballocks. Trying to throw a theory that may support, would be useful if someone could explain why, away from car analogies, because personal experience suggests application to cars doesn't make sense.

I'm not sure how a fixed hub would provide stability either. I'll ask my coach about it when I'm at the velodrome Wednesday if they have an opinion on this.

I'm genuinely intrigued to understand the physics too, there's obviously a good reason for the bikes to be designed this way at an elite level. At the limit of sideways grip the tyre can't take either accelerative or braking forces without slipping so is it just about the weight of a freewheel and back-pedal-brake in the hub? The only other reason I can think is that a (very?) skilled rider can actually balance a bike beyond the limit where there is a tiny bit more grip to be had with minimal slip; that would be pretty cool.

[Donbot]

fblm said:

Donbot said:

FiF said:

I've never ridden a bike on a banked track but there does seem to be some insistence about it helping stability which either has some foundation in fact, or may be just complete ballocks. Trying to throw a theory that may support, would be useful if someone could explain why, away from car analogies, because personal experience suggests application to cars doesn't make sense.

I'm not sure how a fixed hub would provide stability either. I'll ask my coach about it when I'm at the velodrome Wednesday if they have an opinion on this.

I'm genuinely intrigued to understand the physics too, there's obviously a good reason for the bikes to be designed this way at an elite level. At the limit of sideways grip the tyre can't take either accelerative or braking forces without slipping so is it just about the weight of a freewheel and back-pedal-brake in the hub? The only other reason I can think is that a (very?) skilled rider can actually balance a bike beyond the limit where there is a tiny bit more grip to be had with minimal slip; that would be pretty cool.

It's a banked track so you won't slip. Going round the velodrome you don't even turn the bars in the corner, it's like riding in a straight line.

[anonymous-user]

Donbot said:

It's a banked track so you won't slip. Going round the velodrome you don't even turn the bars in the corner, it's like riding in a straight line.

Then I definitely don't understand how fixed pedals provide stability then! How fast do you go?

[Donbot]

fblm said:

Donbot said:

It's a banked track so you won't slip. Going round the velodrome you don't even turn the bars in the corner, it's like riding in a straight line.

Then I definitely don't understand how fixed pedals provide stability then! How fast do you go?

Me personally? I'm not sure. Probably about 30 mph. Pro's may be slightly faster

[anonymous-user]

Donbot said:

fblm said:

Donbot said:

It's a banked track so you won't slip. Going round the velodrome you don't even turn the bars in the corner, it's like riding in a straight line.

Then I definitely don't understand how fixed pedals provide stability then! How fast do you go?

Me personally? I'm not sure. Probably about 30 mph. Pro's may be slightly faster

It looks fun. I'm not sure the outfit would agree with me though.

[WestyCarl]

fblm said:

Then I definitely don't understand how fixed pedals provide stability then! How fast do you go?

A fixed wheel does not help stability, it just means you have some control of speed as the bike has no brakes (due to aero dynamics), it's also much stronger than a freehub.

The fixed pedals (shoes rigidly connected to pedals) improve power transfer.

Most tracks are banked at approx 42 Deg's, the only thing you need is speed.