Cycling in Waterloo Region

[Canard]

The smaller the wheel (with any vehicle), the greater the effective vibration is for a given bump of size n.  Roller coasters with larger wheels are smoother than those with smaller wheels, especially over track seams.  It has to do with the angle that the bump meets the surface of the wheel at; the angle relative to the point of contact with the ground is greater, the smaller the diameter of the wheel.  This is why a pebble can stop a skateboard with relative ease but not a bicycle.  It will still result in the same vertical displacement of the vehicle as it passes over it but it is drawn out over a longer distance with a larger wheel.