[python] Questions from a total newbie

Hello everybody,

I'm Pierre from Belgium. I've been looking at the Python for some time now, I'm not quite ready to build one yet, mainly because I don't have a workshop yet, but I will in a year and a half hopefully, which means I plenty of time to design my dream bike.

So if you don't mind, I have some questions for you specialists (I have never ridden a center-steered bike, so please bear with me if my questions seem obvious) :

- I am a heavy guy, about 115Kg / 250lbs : presumably my weight will be an advantage on the Python, as it will strengthen the self-centering effect, right? I suppose I will need something a bit stronger than a bottom bracket or steering column to act as center pivot as well.

- Is a Python with a small front wheel, and therefore less negative trail, more stable than with a large wheel?

- Does the wheelbase and/or weight distribution affect the stability of the bike, and in what way? in other words, is Python's handling improved or worsened by moving the rear wheel back?

- From a purely theoretical point of view, and regardless of the complexity of such a mechanism if it were implemented, do you reckon a Python with a variable pivot angle would be a good idea? I'm thinking of a bike that you could set a steep pivot angle at low speed, and a shallower one at high speed, so that you get a nimble bike in town and a stable one at speed and not have to compromise. I realize it would be rather complicated and heavy, not to mention that it would require an even steeper learning curve, but I'm just toying with ideas at this stage.

Well, that's about it. Thanks a lot for any light you can shed!

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