Self centering effect

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On the python mailing list there has been a lot of talk about the self centering effect of the python. When you sit on your python you can feel the python straitening up. The seat position is lowest when the bike is straight. When you turn the seat goes up.

I do not know if this is very relevant to the stability of the bicycle, but it does effect how the bicycle feels. It certainly does not feel like a flevo.

Here are some graphs showing the effect of steering on the seat height. The negative trail, combined with a pivot angle make the seat go up and down. Where the pivot is located along the pivot axis does not matter at all. This is especially important for the 20 inch python, where there is trouble with ground clearance.

Following settings were used ---trying to emulate Jürgens bike):

wheel radius 315mm
wheel base radius 1300mm
seat height 300mm


(The height of the seat is the height of the intersection of the pivot axis with the seat).

Seat height versus turning angle

+height_vs_ab.png

The first graph shows the self centering effect best. The pivot is at an angle of 55 degrees. The graph measures the seat height in relation to the turning angle. When the trail is positive the seat will get lower (up to a certain point then it rises again. may be the formulas have a bug still).

Seat height versus trail

+height_vs_trail.png

The following graphs show the seat height when the steering angle is turned 20 degrees (the 20degrees is just choosen randomly).

The graph below depicts how the seat height changes when the trail is changed. This picture shows that the negative trail has a positive effect on the self centering capabilities of the python. The greater the negative trail, the more self centering effect.

It also shows that the changes are actually quite low (maximally 5mm when turning 20degrees). According to users of the bike, it is noticable.

Seat height versus pivot angle

+height_vs_aa.png

The third graph is a variation of the first. This time the angle of the pivot is changed continuously for a few values of trail. Here it is even clearer to see that a flevo (positive trail) has not the centering effect as a python has.

It also shows a maximal self centering effect around 55degrees, with trail having only a little influence. When going below that angle the centering capability drops again.