UNUSUAL BICYCLE TRANSITIONAL CENTER STEERING PROJECT
The objective of this project is to try different steering mechanisms to steer either by leaning or turning the wheel independent of each other.
Conventional steering has a set relationship of steer angle to lean angle.
The lean of the whole bike is a different matter
and is a function of cornering speeds.
Consider a forward facing
vertically held bike, with head angle of 70 degrees,
0 degrees handlebar turn angle - 0 degrees wheel lean
90 degrees turn creates a
70 degrees
wheel lean. (try it)
45 degree turn -
39.4 degree lean?
22.5 degree turn
- 24.3 degree lean?
11.25 degree
turn - 14.3 degree lean?
The approach I have chosen has no trail in the conventional sense. (200mm negative trail and 300mm offset on a 1010mm wheelbase)
The 70deg. rake angle A, B when turned slightly lifts the rider and drops to its lowest point when facing straight ahead (self centering).
Universal joints at A, B, C, provide tilting to the front wheel for steering the bike, unlike single axis center steered "Python type" recumbent bikes.