[python] Re: centering

The difference between "light" and "sticky" steering can also be noticed
in the difference between having a rubber steering damper installed
(like the diabolo in another post), and self centering effects.

The rubber damper gives a resistance that is immediately high at the
beginning of the turn --much higher than that of the self centering. But
as the turning angle increases the resistance force does not increase as
much as the self centering does. The curve for height increase with self
centering (and thus force) in function of turning angle is approximately
a quadratic function. The rubber block will be at best give a linear
increase, but because of overstraining it is likely to be less.

On a positive trail bike like the flevo, the diabolo is not strong
enough to counteract the weight of the rider, and when the turning angle
increases above a certain degree you need to exert power on the pedals
to come up straight again (this is how it was on my flevo using straight
rubber damper of 30mm diameter).

It is to my preference to ride without the a damper as the bike is in my
opinion easier controllable. Like you say it makes it possible to make
small and/or quick corrections, as you do not need to overpower the
steering damper  to do these corrections.

Dirk

25hz wrote:
> I liked the pivot fairly free and smooth.  To me, it helped me make the very
> small, and quick corrections you mentioned and, I think, helps in the
> learning process.  I think a "heavy" feel to aide self centering is
> different than a "stiff" feel, which makes sticky steering.  Marcel, on the
> other hand, liked the steering to be stiff.  He didn't like the feel of my
> python - said it felt too "light" or "twitchy".  The steering on the PC2 had
> a "heavy" self centering feel due to the pivot angle, but the steering was
> free and smooth.  4 people learned to ride the python in less than 10
> minutes each.
>
> The PC2 is back to two wheeled mode, and I've painted it and cleaned it up.
> I'll post a link to final pictures and stats.
>
>   
>> How much is good when it comes to self centering?
>>
>> On my regular recumbent I tensioned the steering column a bit too
>> much so the steering is now being heavy and sluggish. The effect is
>> that I do less tiny balance corrections while riding. Instead I
>> sometimes need to make bigger adjustments and this gives the bike a
>> wobble.
>>
>> Is there a similar effect when you have an accentuated self centering
>> effect? A continous series of tiny corrections can perhaps make for a
>> smoother ride than if you have to steer against the SC-effect?
>>
>>
>> olaf
>>
>>
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