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Analysis of stability differences in road and time trial bicycles with instantaneous and delayed control

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lipp, GM; Mann, BP
Published in: Sports Engineering
June 1, 2015

Bicycle stability has been of interest to dynamicists and athletes since before J. W. Whipple described the canonical model for bicycle motion in 1899. Since then, the subject has fascinated many who sought to find a simple way to describe the essence of stability for a hands-free bicycle at a prescribed forward speed. Caster and gyroscopic effects have been shown to be helpful, but not necessary for there to exist a stable range of forward speeds. This work focuses on showing how using the eigenvalues of the linearized equations for roll and steer (with and without an instantaneous or delayed steering torque) can illuminate the stabilizing and destabilizing effects of changing bicycle geometry and rider position. The results of altering aspects of the control law and bicycle geometry are demonstrated, and a primary cause of the decreased stability a cyclist on a time trial bike experiences when in the aerodynamic position, as opposed to riding with hands on the brake hoods or bull horns, is proposed.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Sports Engineering

DOI

EISSN

1460-2687

ISSN

1369-7072

Publication Date

June 1, 2015

Volume

18

Issue

2

Start / End Page

67 / 78

Related Subject Headings

  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
 

Citation

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Lipp, G. M., & Mann, B. P. (2015). Analysis of stability differences in road and time trial bicycles with instantaneous and delayed control. Sports Engineering, 18(2), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-014-0169-8
Lipp, G. M., and B. P. Mann. “Analysis of stability differences in road and time trial bicycles with instantaneous and delayed control.” Sports Engineering 18, no. 2 (June 1, 2015): 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-014-0169-8.
Lipp, G. M., and B. P. Mann. “Analysis of stability differences in road and time trial bicycles with instantaneous and delayed control.” Sports Engineering, vol. 18, no. 2, June 2015, pp. 67–78. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s12283-014-0169-8.
Journal cover image

Published In

Sports Engineering

DOI

EISSN

1460-2687

ISSN

1369-7072

Publication Date

June 1, 2015

Volume

18

Issue

2

Start / End Page

67 / 78

Related Subject Headings

  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering