Quote:
Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob
I was at the event where Matt Weaver finally showed the way to crosswind stability in a streamlined bicycle. The long nose generates extra side force, which reacts on the trail of the front wheel, steering it away from the wind. This sets up the lean necessary to counter the wind when the rider reacts to steer straight again.
It may still be dynamically unstable, but at least it is rideable in normal weather if you can reserve a bit of extra lane width.
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Its exactly the opposite of what you describe. A long nose coupled with a lot of trial is not good. Maybe Matt Weaver never rode in gusty 20 mph cross winds, but I can tell you from experience that the side forces are coupled directly into the steering and the more trail, the more torque has to be input to the steering to correct. The smallest nose in the front is best for side wind stability. I once tried 12 inches of trail, and when I put the fairing on it was almost unridable. The wind pushes and trail turns the steering away from the wind, not into it. Negative trail would do what you are saying.