Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
In science class they always teach that contact area doesn't influence grip or friction because the higher weight on the smaller contact patch equals out the equation. Why doesn't this work in practice? Race cars have enormous wheels.
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Science class does not take into account the property of materials used in the grip/friction model. Rubber has a finite static coefficient of friction, and the smaller the surface area of rubber presented to the asphalt, the more likely it will be that the motive force spinning the wheels will overcome the static friction presented between the rubber and the asphalt.
(With wheels that are rolling on a surface, there is always a patch of static friction contact between the wheel and the surface, even if the wheel is moving - that is said to be traction. Overcome that static friction, and the wheel starts to spin freely against the surface - or it loses its traction.)
I'd like to be able to find some wheels to fit these kind of tires.