Bicycle Wheel Gyroscope

Photograph of bicycle wheel gyroscope
Apparatus:
bicycle wheel with handles, rotary platform, stool

Description:
This bicycle wheel is equipped with a clutch mechanism in one of the handles, making it easier to bring the wheel up to speed. This mechanism is uni-directional in the direction indicated on the front of the wheel. Please refrain from spinning the wheel in the opposite direction as this damages the clutch.
Once the wheel is spinning, suspend it from a rope or balance it on your finger.
With one person on the platform with arms extended, the other person spins the wheel and hands it over. The person on the platform will turn in the direction that they tilt the spinning wheel. When using the rotary platform, please ask the volunteer to hook their feet around the stool legs, to ensure that they don't fall off. This is particularly important with smaller people.

PIRA 1Q50.20