When stopping in a curve, what does reducing your lean angle do?

When stopping in a curve, what does reducing your lean angle do?

• A. It increases the lean angle
• B. It reduces traction
• C. It has no effect
• D. It provides more traction in order to stop

Answer: (D)

Traction between the tire and the road is what lets you brake. In a curve, part of the tire’s grip is used to hold the bike in the turn (the lateral force from leaning). If you keep a large lean while braking, you’re asking the tire to supply both turning and stopping forces, which uses up more of the available grip and makes a skid more likely. Reducing the lean angle—i.e., straightening the bike slightly—puts more of your weight vertically onto the tires, increasing the normal force and freeing more grip for braking. With that extra traction, you can apply more braking without sliding, helping you stop within the curve.

Traction between the tire and the road is what lets you brake. In a curve, part of the tire’s grip is used to hold the bike in the turn (the lateral force from leaning). If you keep a large lean while braking, you’re asking the tire to supply both turning and stopping forces, which uses up more of the available grip and makes a skid more likely. Reducing the lean angle—i.e., straightening the bike slightly—puts more of your weight vertically onto the tires, increasing the normal force and freeing more grip for braking. With that extra traction, you can apply more braking without sliding, helping you stop within the curve.