First, let's define "better" as: better at ROAD-HOLDING.
and, also bad roads are regular normal paved roads in the USA that have a significant percentage of cracks, bumps, or little potholes (little potholes are the ones you drive through and not around.)
After much reading and just pondering the physics of it, I would guess that on bad roads--softer is better.
Here's why I think so: When you hit a bump, the tires & suspension absorbs much of the bump, the springs compress (with the help of dampers). The driver and the rest of the car (the sprung weight) will also feel a bit of it but most of it is already absorbed. The shock is absorbed, the tires maintain contact with the road.
Now, let's consider a scenario where the car has a very stiff suspension. When you hit a bump, a much stiffer suspension is no real suspension at all. The entire vehicle absorbs the shock and that vertical motion causes the car to lose contact with the road.
This is a subject that I have given much thought about for a long time. Obviously, the answer is to do a semi-scientific test: that is, to adjust the suspension of the car and just take a ride myself. I, unfortunately, cannot afford such a luxury.
Pondering about it and asking others to chime in is the best I can do.
SO, what do you think of my analysis. Would you say that stiffer is definitely not better for poor roads?
and, also bad roads are regular normal paved roads in the USA that have a significant percentage of cracks, bumps, or little potholes (little potholes are the ones you drive through and not around.)
After much reading and just pondering the physics of it, I would guess that on bad roads--softer is better.
Here's why I think so: When you hit a bump, the tires & suspension absorbs much of the bump, the springs compress (with the help of dampers). The driver and the rest of the car (the sprung weight) will also feel a bit of it but most of it is already absorbed. The shock is absorbed, the tires maintain contact with the road.
Now, let's consider a scenario where the car has a very stiff suspension. When you hit a bump, a much stiffer suspension is no real suspension at all. The entire vehicle absorbs the shock and that vertical motion causes the car to lose contact with the road.
This is a subject that I have given much thought about for a long time. Obviously, the answer is to do a semi-scientific test: that is, to adjust the suspension of the car and just take a ride myself. I, unfortunately, cannot afford such a luxury.
Pondering about it and asking others to chime in is the best I can do.
SO, what do you think of my analysis. Would you say that stiffer is definitely not better for poor roads?
