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Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019) by umanwizard on Thursday March 21, 2024 @02:27AM (#39775409)
From your link:

> Their study shows that there isn’t one simple reason for this phenomenon. A combination of factors, including gyroscopic and caster effects, bicycle geometry, speed, and mass distribution come into play to keep an uncontrolled bicycle upright.

I think we’re saying the same thing. There is no simple physical explanation that humans can intuitively understand, because the interaction of forces is so complex. I’m not claiming that it’s a mystery causing fundamental problems for physics.

Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019) by abdullahkhalids on Thursday March 21, 2024 @02:39AM (#39775475)
Let me restate. There are many natural phenomena that are complex. Say the details of interstellar nuclear reactions connected to the behavior of stars. There is no simple explanation, only complex mathematical models that predict the behavior very well.

So don't say "no astrophysicist understands stellar reactions" because that is false. They understand fully, and can write the model and simulate it to answer any question.

Ditto for bicycles. Just because there is no simple explanation for bicyles does not mean we don't fully understand the physics of bicycles. It just can't be put in English. Only in complex mathematical models.

Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019) by Wytwwww on Thursday March 21, 2024 @04:52AM (#39776169)
> no astrophysicist understands stellar reactions" because that is false

Cyclists are not exactly the equivalent of "astrophysicists" in this situation though. There are of course physicists who are also cyclists, but basically no cyclist who is not (or isn't very interested in the field) would be able to explain it.

Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019) by phkahler on Thursday March 21, 2024 @06:58AM (#39777030)
>> There are of course physicists who are also cyclists, but basically no cyclist who is not (or isn't very interested in the field) would be able to explain it.

This is probably a case where not being a scientist was an advantage. Turns out they didn't need a simulation or mathematical proof it could work in order to try it.

Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019) by Thlom on Thursday March 21, 2024 @03:37AM (#39775742)
Actually the intuitive human reactions on a bike are often the exact opposite of what you need to do to balance the bike. F.ex. if you look at kids learning to bike their intuitive reaction to the bike falling to one side is to lean to the opposite side, but that has the exact opposite effect of what they want to achieve. When you lean to one side you exert force force on the bike the other side and the bike will fall quicker. What you need to do is to use the handlebars to turn a little bit to the same side the bike is falling to re-balance it. Ehm, at least I think so? The more I think about it the more uncertain I become.
Re:Why did we wait so long for the bicycle? (2019) by medstrom on Thursday March 21, 2024 @04:09AM (#39775911)
Veritasium does an experiment on this exact topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cNmUNHSBac