[python] Re: vertical steering axis

On Tuesday 24 April 2007 18:25:22 Oupa wrote:
> Bill Patterson <wmpatterson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, an engineer, ex-academic
> and a high priest of human powered machines writes:
>
>
> ************************************************************************
> ********************************************************************
> We built several Flevo style bikes with vertical steering axis and 10
> or more cm of trail and they were all very easy to learn to ride.
> ************************************************************************
> *********************************************************************
>
>
> A statement that grabs me more than any I've read in ages.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. Wouldn't a vertical steering axis in a python cause it to lose much
> of its self steering characteristic?
>
a vertical pivot axis means no up and down movement while steering, so no self 
centering.

> 2. If a vertical steering axis works so well on flevos is it not  in
> wide use?  I read of so many horror stories of the problems in learning
> to ride flevos, air-bikes, and pythons.
>
> The front drive, center pivot, seems the ultimate recumbent and surely
> will be the bike of the future BUT I get the uneasy feeling that there
> are still a few important break-throughs to be made.
>
any engineer would be jobless, if there weren't any breakthroughs left :-))

What kind of trail did this flevo have? positive or negative trail?
I presume negative like the python has. In this case the bike should stretch 
with front wheel drive, but collapse during breaking. However, if you keep 
both feet on the pedals, you could possible overcome this effect...
Maybe something i should play around with in CAD. Are there any other 
measurements known, any pictures?


regards,
DirkS
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