Magical Cycle

What might be the reason that a stationary cycle leans down to one side (without a stand), while a moving one doesn't?

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

When posting on Brilliant:

Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.

Markdown	Appears as
`italics` or `_italics_`	italics
`bold` or `__bold__`	bold
- bulleted - list	bulleted list
1. numbered 2. list	numbered list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
paragraph 1 paragraph 2	paragraph 1 paragraph 2
`[example link](https://brilliant.org)`	example link
`> This is a quote`	This is a quote
# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"	# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

very good question. I googled and found a site which I found very funny -> bicycles.stackexchange.com :)

Anyways, here are the answers I found -

Harshit Kapur - 8 years, 3 months ago

The Stack Exchange Network is actually very nice and funny. I got to know of Brilliant because of Calvin's profile on Math.StackExchange!

Parth Kohli - 8 years, 3 months ago

I think the flood of air particles that the moving bike pummels through keeps the bike straighter due to the pressure on both sides. (my guess)

Stephanie Hadley - 8 years, 3 months ago

I think it has something to do with its centre of gravity.

A Former Brilliant Member - 8 years, 3 months ago

This is my theory: When the moving bike leans to one side, there is additional force created between the bike's wheels and the ground other than that already there due to the bike's weight. That centripetal force, and the friction with the ground, sort of force the bike to steady itself in an upright position, countering the force willing it to fall down. The stationary bike does not have this centripetal force.

Bob Krueger - 8 years, 3 months ago

The angular momentum in the wheels is responsible for stability.

Balaji Dodda - 8 years, 3 months ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$