Stratocaster1111
New member
I have just started racing BMX. Watch the video to get an idea of what the sport is like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzcaWX6_kj0
As you can see, there are a lot of jumps and aerials. According to classical mechanics, the gravitational acceleration on a light and heavy bike (pulling the bike down towards the ground) will be the same; also, the air drag on the bike will also be the same, but a heavier bike will experience less deceleration (in the horizontal direction) because of its higher mass (F=ma). These laws tell me that a heavier bike will be better.
Of course, my intuition tells me that a lighter bike is better. Ignoring the parts of the track where the rider has to pedal to accelerate, would a heavier or lighter bike be better?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzcaWX6_kj0
As you can see, there are a lot of jumps and aerials. According to classical mechanics, the gravitational acceleration on a light and heavy bike (pulling the bike down towards the ground) will be the same; also, the air drag on the bike will also be the same, but a heavier bike will experience less deceleration (in the horizontal direction) because of its higher mass (F=ma). These laws tell me that a heavier bike will be better.
Of course, my intuition tells me that a lighter bike is better. Ignoring the parts of the track where the rider has to pedal to accelerate, would a heavier or lighter bike be better?