Thread: Front suspension

Originally Posted by Dougal

Not so much a rule of thumb as designed to work with us finicky humans. We can handle up/down motion that's a similar frequency to us walking/running, which is around 1Hz. Stiffer (higher frequency) makes us feel all jiggled around, softer (lower frequency) makes us sea-sick. Race car drivers have to put up with being jiggled around.

[snip]

Yep, forgot to mention the 1Hz frequency is for comfort, not optimum road holding or handling

IIRC race tyres (bias) @ 18psi hot, too stiff suspension and a series of undulations approaching a corner with just the right amplitude that set everything off.
Bum pucker factor off the chart when all there is is concrete wall

Originally Posted by rick130

Yep, forgot to mention the 1Hz frequency is for comfort, not optimum road holding or handling

IIRC race tyres (bias) @ 18psi hot, too stiff suspension and a series of undulations approaching a corner with just the right amplitude that set everything off.
Bum pucker factor off the chart when all there is is concrete wall

At least you survived to tell the tale. Like hitting the wrong set of rollers at the wrong speed on a bike or skis (done both). First one makes it a bit loose, second one launches you, third one catches you head first.

Originally Posted by Dougal

At least you survived to tell the tale. Like hitting the wrong set of rollers at the wrong speed on a bike or skis (done both). First one makes it a bit loose, second one launches you, third one catches you head first.

I'm getting waaaay OT here, but that's why I've never had a downhill bike

An old riding mate of mine used to say, "Rick, let the fella's who don't work for themselves take the difficult lines" as we rode with a couple of school teachers.
BTW, he's a sports physio so I was covering my backside anyway