Hi I have been thinking for a few years of building a bike using a 4-bar type pivot. My idea is to use two sets of 4-bar pivots, one above the other. That way the virtual steering axis could be located in space by the two virtual pivot points. I would like to make the bike so that the attachment points for the links could be adjusted for width at both ends. In that way the virtual steering axis could be inclined at any desired angle and at any distance in front of or behind the front wheel (within reason). In one bike, one could have a virtual python, a vitrual Tom Traylor style bike or indeed a RWS bike (depending on your definition of RWS!). Mike Channon London, Ontario, Canada At 09:40 AM 3/28/2011 +0800, you wrote: >Hi Vi, > >I had seen this one before. The whole blog about this construction can be >found there (in french): > >http://velorizontal.bbfr.net/t7559-tad-le-znb > >In fact, this is not a real pivot, but a trapezoidal mechanism (two >nonparallel pivoting bars connected to the rear wheel axis on one end and to >the frame on the other end), creating a "virtual pivot point" towards the >front. (If the bars are parallel (making a rectangle), the virtual privot >point is set to infinity and the rear wheel is just translated (offset to the >left or right) without modifying its angle, whereas if the two bars connect to >the frame at the same single point (making a triangle), this point is the (now >real) pivot. Any configuration in between (making a trapeze) displaces the >'virtual' pivot point in between...) Somebody else has made some 3D graphics >and movies about the same (as well as another similar) mechanism: >http://oliviercresson.free.fr/s4bc.htm > >So actually one might not qualify this as RWS as the effective pivot might >actually be located close to the front wheel. As somebody suggests in the >blog, though, what might matter for that definition is more the main weight >distribution. Debatable and debated... > >I also think RWS is in principle a good idea, but it might be tricky to find >good configurations for easy rideability (whatever one means with that - the >french guy from the video comments that he is the only one so far able to ride >his bike. Of course, a matter of training, but also perhaps a 'mother-child' >love and determination relationship? :) > >I'd be interested in your results should you try to make one of these! >Regards, >Pascal > >p.s. sorry for the empty posts - I am not sure why my emails to >python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx usually bounce back to me with freelist management >instructions? > > >On Sun, 27 Mar 2011, Vi Vuong wrote: > >> >> >> This one (znb) seems quite controllable, pivot slightly pointed to the rear, >> and trail ~zero or negative, and probably gigantic turning circle. >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGlNhdxesbc&feature=related >> >> A RWS python should retain the best features, hands-free, self-centering, low... >> RWS seems more difficult because of no direct control of both wheels like the >> FWD version by the body / legs. However, if it works, we can gain quite a few >> benefits - less PSI / speed, positive trail, bigger front wheel, lots of space >> for pivot behind the seat and even handle bar... Should I give it a try? >> >> Vi >> >> [python] Re: dennis renner >> >> * From: Dirk Bonné <dirk.bonne@xxxxxxx> >> * To: python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> * Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 07:25:52 +0200 >> The experiment is as follows: hold rear part vertical and turn the front part -> >> on a python we get seat rise. But if we hold the front part vertical, then turn >> the rear part, then the seat will lower on a python. On a RWS the bulk of the >> weight is on the front part, so leaning of the front part on turning will be >> small (to balance we need to shift weight). So from this assumption there would >> be no self centering effect on dennis bike (and the cal poly bike it would >> have). Dirk ============================================================ This is the Python Mailinglist //www.freelists.org/list/python Listmaster: Jürgen Mages jmages@xxxxxx To unsubscribe send an empty mail to python-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the subject field. ============================================================