Low Rider Bicycle Steering: What's the Lowest Angle?

In summary, the angle between the axis of the steering tube and the horizontal, also known as the head tube angle, and the distance between the hub of the front wheel and the rotational axis of the steering tube, known as the fork rake, determine the stability and maneuverability of a bicycle. The combination of these two factors creates the trail, which is the distance between the contact point of the front wheel and the imaginary intersection of the steering axis with the ground. Extreme modifications to these angles can result in a bike that is difficult to steer and maneuver, making it less practical for everyday use.
  • #1
kamen
1
0
just like the title says at what angle can you put the front wheel of a bicycle in relation to the ground and still be able to steer it with moderate percision now when i say angle i mean like a low rider you know the bicycles that have the really long front fork and look cool so basically my question is what angle is the lowest you can go?

thankyou,
Kamen
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


I'm not sure which angle you're referring to - do you mean the head tube angle, i.e. the angle between axis of the the steering tube and the horizontal? Or, are you asking how sharply you can steer the wheel and still ride, i.e. without "jack-knifing".

The last part of your post makes me thing that it's the head tube angle. Something you should be aware of is that the stability of the bike depends not only on the head tube angle, but also on the "fork rake", which is the distance by which the hub of the front wheel is offset from the rotational axis of the steering tube - it's basically the bend that you see near the bottom of most bicycle front forks.

The combination of the head tube angle and the fork rake determine what's called the "trail", which is the distance on the ground between the contact point of the front wheel and the imaginary point where the steering axis intersects the ground. If you had no fork rake at all, but the head tube angle is less than 90 degrees, then the trial is negative, i.e. the wheel contacts the ground at a point behind where the steering axis intersects the ground. This is very important, since it's what makes it easy to keep a bike upright (it's a myth that the gyroscopic effects of the wheels make a significant contribution to balancing a bike). As you lean the bike in one direction, say to the left, the negative trail is what causes the front wheel to steer to the left in response (you can see this just be leaning a stationary bike to one side without touching the handlebars). The effect is that if you start to fall to one side, so that your center of mass is no longer over the support points (i.e. you're about to fall over), the bike automatically steers itself in the right direction to put the contact points back underneath you.

The fork rake is there to control exactly how much trail you have - usually it's several cm. It sounds like you're thinking of modifying a frame to give it an extreme head tube angle - i.e. far from vertical. This will give you an enormous amount trail unless you also have a fork with a long rake.

This all gets kind of absurd if you have an extremely long front fork and a very shallow head tube angle, because the steering axis is getting closer to horizontal. This means that instead of turning the front wheel to the left or right around a near-vertical axis, you're actually leaning it to one side or the other around a near-horizontal axis. Combine that with the long fork rake you'd want in order not to have a ridiculous amount of trail, and you end up with the situation that when you steer, you're actually trying to move the front wheel across the ground in a big arc.

There's a good reason highly maneuverable bikes aren't designed this way. Choppers look great going in a straight line, but when you steer them, they start to look a little sillier. There's no magic angle where you suddenly can't ride it any more, though - it just gets worse and worse the more extreme you make the angles.

More than you wanted to know, I'm sure, but I was bored ...
 
  • #3


I would approach this question by first defining what is meant by "steering with moderate precision." This could refer to the ability to make small adjustments in direction while riding or the overall stability and control of the bike.

Next, I would consider the design of the low rider bicycle and its unique features, such as the long front fork and the angle at which it is positioned. These factors can affect the bike's handling and maneuverability.

To determine the lowest angle at which the front wheel can be positioned and still maintain moderate precision in steering, experiments and data collection would need to be conducted. This could involve testing different angles and measuring the bike's performance in terms of stability and handling.

It is also important to note that the rider's skill and experience can play a significant role in the ability to steer a low rider bicycle at different angles. A more experienced rider may be able to handle a lower angle than a novice rider.

In conclusion, the precise answer to this question would depend on various factors and would require scientific testing and analysis. However, it is safe to say that the design of the low rider bicycle and the rider's skill both play important roles in determining the lowest angle at which the bike can be steered with moderate precision.
 

1. How does the low angle of a low rider bicycle affect steering?

The low angle of a low rider bicycle affects steering by decreasing the rider's control over the direction of the bike. This is because the handlebars are closer to the ground and therefore have less leverage for steering. The lower angle also makes it more difficult to turn the bike quickly and can cause the bike to feel unstable.

2. What is the typical angle of a low rider bicycle's handlebars?

The typical angle of a low rider bicycle's handlebars is between 25-35 degrees from horizontal. This allows for a lower profile and a more aesthetically pleasing look, but also contributes to the decreased steering control mentioned in the previous question.

3. How does the low rider bicycle's steering differ from a regular bicycle?

The low rider bicycle's steering differs from a regular bicycle in two main ways. First, the handlebars are typically lower to the ground, resulting in a lower steering angle. Second, the handlebars are often more curved, which can also affect the rider's control over steering.

4. Are there any benefits to having a low angle for steering on a low rider bicycle?

One potential benefit of having a low angle for steering on a low rider bicycle is the improved aerodynamics. The lower handlebars can reduce wind resistance and make it easier for the rider to pedal. Additionally, some riders may prefer the look and style of a low rider bicycle with a lower steering angle.

5. Can the angle of a low rider bicycle's steering be adjusted?

Yes, the angle of a low rider bicycle's steering can be adjusted to some extent. This can be done by adjusting the handlebar stem or purchasing a different stem with a different angle. However, it is important to note that changing the steering angle can also affect the overall stability and control of the bike, so it should be done carefully.

Similar threads

  • Classical Physics
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
915
  • Classical Physics
Replies
20
Views
927
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Media
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
3
Views
626
  • General Engineering
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
2
Views
4K
Back
Top