Recent content by FreeForAll

If this will be free-running you can try to reduce the mass of all moving parts, especially the flywheel, pistons, and connecting rods. As mentioned above the cam profile can also be a limiting factor.

I took these answers and did a bit of research - seems like electricity is the way to go. I found out an electrical system (eddy current or electric motor) becomes less effective as the road speed drops. So if you're crawling in traffic they may not be effective. I guess this could be resolved...

Is this only in the context of my example (slowing down a vehicle), or is this a general rule that any time 2 surfaces rub each other to generate heat there must be wear? I understand how shearing off microscopic particles generates heat, I was just wondering if the same heat could be...

I understand their job is to convert motion into heat, but can it not be done without causing wear on a regular passenger vehicle? Even if price is of no concern? Is it just we didn't find/create the ideal materials yet, or is there a scientific reason why they MUST wear out eventually? Bonus...

Thanks to everyone for confirming that: a) The rate of deceleration should be the same for both the front and rear brakes if both wheels experience the same traction and braking force. b) Any perceived difference is most likely from operator error or some mechanical difference between the front...

I think I'm doing a bad job at explaining this. Everyone is talking about traction limits and load transfer, when I don't think they have any impact on my scenario. Let me try to simplify. Imagine this: - A bike with identical brakes front and rear. New tires, on a high friction surface. 40/60...

Sorry but I don't understand why load transfer is even a factor if the tire is nowhere near its traction limit. For example, if a tire is at 10% of its limit before it begins to slide, and load transfer raises that to 20%, or even 50%, how does that make a difference to braking distance if the...

Agree, discs are superior in almost all aspects. But I'm only comparing front vs rear on the same bike. Get a mountain or fat bike and double your riding season :) But your comment got me thinking - a good experiment would be to test the brakes on bike rollers - completely eliminating load...

For people talking about weight transfer or load transfer, I believe I understand how that works, and that it becomes more prevalent the higher the braking force involved. Just to get some numbers from the first 2 websites I on the search list: "With a rider aboard, the center of mass moves...

Identical part numbers in the breakdown. Except for the very high end, all the bikes I see for sale have identical brakes. Some of my bikes have hydraulic disc brakes, others have traditional rim brakes. Remember I'm talking bicycle, not motorcycle.

Isn't the momentum the same for both the front and rear axle? I think you're talking about weight transfer. If so, my experience is that front brakes are noticeably more powerful even when there is no noticeable weight transfer. Agreed, but my example is with slow speeds. To experiment, ride...

I had a sportbike, and I agree with that. But on my bicycle, with identical front and rear brakes, and with most weight on the rear tire, the front brakes always stop the bike sooner than the rear with the same lever movement. Even when nowhere near the limit of traction. This makes me think...

I'm not disputing that front brakes on a vehicle provide the majority of stopping power, but why is that? I originally thought it was because of added traction at the front due to weight transfer, but even my bike moving at a walking pace has more powerful front brakes than the identical rear...

I had a slightly embarrassing conversation with a 10 year old: Me: Did you know the fraction 1/3 can also be written as 0.3333... Her: When does it end? Me: Never, keeps going to infinity. Her: Then if every 3 makes the number larger, and there are infinite 3s, does that mean it keeps getting...

Thanks for wording this so eloquently :) 1 more question for anyone, what (if anything) would be different if the battery were replaced by an A/C power source?