BC wheels

[M.R.Sands@iasos.utas.edu.au]

Arthur Chandler wrote:

> These dang things really are almost impossible! Does anyone have any ideas as
> to what the ideal wheel size would be (I have a 20") and whether a wider (ie
> fatter) wheel would increase stability?

I use a 20" BC wheel. I've never tried any other sizes but I imagine that a 24"
say would be scarier if anything, because you'd have to jump higher to get on
and you'd be higher from the ground. Also you'd have to controll the tilt of the
wheel much more than a smaller one to stop it rubbing on your leg. All this
aside it may well be easier to controll a 24", I don't know.

As for a wider wheel, I would say that would only increase the friction on the
surface making it harder to controll your direction. Of course if you used a
really wide tyre (such as a car tyre) you'd have no problem with falling
sideways making it that much easier to ride - but only in a straight line.

Mark

Mark Sands o o o E-mail M.R.Sands@iasos.utas.edu.au o o IASOS/CRC Ph: +61 20
2941 Fax: +61 20 2973 ------------------------------------------------ o
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies o @_/ CRC for Antarctic and
Southern Ocean Environment \/|
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[Ross Bradley]

Wait a minute,

Isn't a BC wheel that suicidal thing that has no seat and both cranks go in the
same direction? Something like the wheels that they rode in the BC comic strip.

RossB

>
> > I use a 20" BC wheel. I've never tried any other sizes but I imagine that a
> > 24" say would be scarier if anything, because you'd have to jump higher to
> > get on and you'd be higher from the ground. Also you'd have to controll the
> > tilt of the wheel much more than a smaller one to stop it rubbing on your
> > leg. All this aside it may well be easier to controll a 24", I don't know.
>
> I learned on a 20", but now I ride a 24" as I like the fact that I have to
> pedal less to go the same distance (call me lazy if you like). Anyway, as far
> as I can discern, the only real difference as the wheels get bigger is that
> you don't get as much torque control. I rode a 30" once which had shortened
> cranks and it was unbelievably difficult to start off, but once the momentum
> was up, I was doing about 30mph!
>
> Ed
> --
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> Julian Edwards, Internet Systems Ltd. Woking, Surrey, UK. Internet:
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