What are the most basic factors that affect a stability of the bike? And if so is it more stable if it the value was larger or smaller(example; larger wheels more stable)

Question

Bike width(From left to right when viewing as a rider) ?
paddle height from ground?
overall height?
Bike length (from back wheel to front wheel)?
Tire width?
Tire radius?
Suspension?
Longer chain shorter chain?
The different connecting metal pipes between front and back wheels?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Bikes are fun because there is so much that affects it’s stability. The easiest way to start thinking about it is that anything making it more stable makes it harder to maneuver.

Speed- speed adds the gyroscopic effect of tires which makes both your lean angle and your handle bars more stable. In motorcycle classes they make you practice at low speed, but always say it gets easier when you speed up.

Height- as balance usually tends to go, the higher you are the less stable you are. This is one of the reasons you see motocross bikes which are relatively high. Besides adding clearance, it adds maneuverability.

Weight- so this affects a lot of things but among those it adds inertia, so going straight with more weight will add stability.

I may have gone too basic, but I encourage you to take this same train of thought for how to determine if something adds stability.

Edit: formatting