>Is it your feeling that the size of the BC wheel (16", 20", 24") might
>effect the ease of riding? In other words, might a 24 inch wheel be
>easier than a 16 inch, or vice versa?
>
Before I say anything else I have to say that I have only ever tried a 20"
BC wheel, so whatever I come up with in answer to this question is purely a
result of an intricate thought process and has little basis in physical
learning.
Instinct tells my that 16" would be easier than 24". I can't think of any
physical reason why (I'm no physicist) except that the bigger the wheel the
higher you have to jump to mount it so the more accurate your take off
would have to be. Also the bigger the wheel the longer the socks you would
have to wear.
Another point comes to mind. When riding the BC wheel it is possible to
tilt the wheel a certain angle (or rather you are given a little freedom
before you have to recover a tilt) before the wheel rubs your leg. The
bigger the wheel the smaller this angle, for two reasons. 1) your legs get
closer together the higher up you go (mine do anyway) and 2) the section of
the tyre between your legs is further form the pivot point. Therefore the
bigger the wheel the smaller allowable wobble or or tilt.
The mind ticks on: If you were interested in increasing your momentum by
using hands against the ground... well, I'll leave it to your imagination
to decide the effect of larger wheel size. My voice increases an octave
just thinking about it.
OK try this one out (remember I'm no physicist). When riding a unicycle or
balancing a pencil on your nose the mechanism for maintaining the balance
is effected at or below the point of contact of the object and the
substrate. Taller is easier. When riding a BC wheel the mechanism for
maintaining the balance is ABOVE the point of contact. Perhaps then taller
is harder??
What do others think?
Mark
PS. (to Andy cotter) Thanks!
Mark Sands E-mail M.R.Sands@iasos.utas.edu.au o
IASOS/CRC Ph: +61 20 2941 Fax: +61 20 2973 o
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Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies o
CRC for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Environment o
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