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Will a free standing bicycle ridden on a treadmill fall over? (hackertalks.com)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by jet@hackertalks.com to c/nostupidquestions@lemmy.ml

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Stationary bicycles need support to stop from falling over because they lack gyroscopic stabilization. Right?

If you ride a free bicycle on a treadmill (so both wheels are spinning) will it fall over or stay upright?

If you fall over on a treadmill, does it matter if this treadmill bicycle combo is on a train?

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[–] fishos@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Then explain a motorcycle. The only time the rider is balancing it is in turns to keep from falling off theselves. Otherwise, when moving, it's self balancing in a straight line. It IS the gyroscope effect. Weight shifting only applies if there is an imbalance causing it to not be stable in the first place.

The treadmill will not work because the bike has no forward momentum pulling it upright. The wheels spin, but the frame doesn't move. There are no forcing acting on the frame to keep it up, so you will need to use your body and balance it like a seesaw(side to side)

[–] ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

The second part contradicts the first part though.

If it's the gyroscopic effects keeping the bike up then all that needs to happen is the wheels need to spin. After all it's spinning wheels that create those gyroscopic effects.

I think this is more like orbiting. You're moving forward faster than you are moving sideways which is what keeps you upright mixed with the gyroscopic nature of bike wheels.

[–] fishos@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

Yeah, I think orbiting is a better analogy.

[–] RecallMadness@lemmy.nz 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

It’s not the gyroscope effect.

If it was, you’re talking about a force capable of keeping 200-300kg vehicle upright with mechanical disadvantage (the height of the bike vs the wheels on the floor)

If that was the case, how would you steer the bike with just 80cm of handlebar? Even if you divide the force between two wheels and the motor you’re still looking at 100kg of force to overcome steering.