What causes square wheels?

Ever ride a B&M that the row your sitting in goes *bump* *bump*  and keep on going. The faster you go the more faster it   bumps. And you can feel it to. I know its caused by bad wheels. But why does it feel like a square? When the wheel is round?
-----------------
www.SFWoA.com Your Connection to SFWoA!

*** This post was edited by X SFWoA 115 on 9/3/2001. ***

B&M?  Bumps?  You lost me somewhere.
-----------------
Gone, a sense of confidence, I'm convinced that there's just too much pressure to take! - Linkin Park, Crawling

KoЯn still Яules!

The wheel becomes worn, and is no longer a smooth surface.

Coaster 131, I take it you have never ridden a B&M in need of a wheel replacement? No matter how smooth the track work, worn wheels can make the smoothest ride rough.

*** This post was edited by Mongoose on 9/3/2001. ***

Mongoose, but why does it bump. I can see if it were rough. But it bumps. Its very annoying. And I experiance this olot on BKF.
-----------------
www.SFWoA.com Your Connection to SFWoA!

It does it alot on BKF in the middle of the Cobra Roll, you can actually hear it from the line, and in the sharp turn after the first corkscrew. Doesn't bother me a bit. Just as fun IMO.
-----------------
"Villain-Once You Drop, The Fun Don't Stop!"~SFWoA Rules In 2001~X Marks The Spot In 2001(SFWoA)~With SFWoA ANYTHING Is Possible!

Not the noise. Yea, that noise comes from those spots all the time. Im talking about a bad wheel. You can feel it everywhere!
-----------------
www.SFWoA.com Your Connection to SFWoA!

Oh yes, SFWoA's Batman is notorious for bad wheels. I've noticed in particular a reluctance to care for the guide wheels. You're trucking along smooth and fast until you hit a turn, and there are your bumps as more pressure is applied to the guide wheels. The corkscrew in particular can be less than fun in that scenario.

-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Watch the grass grow!

I think Grizzly at PGA is the champ of "Square Wheels". :)

-------------
"I can't dream anymore, since you left. I miss you singing me to sleep."- New Found Glory

Jeff is definately correct on this one.  SFWoA's Batman had a bad wheel last Monday and instead of taking the train off and putting another one on (there were only two other to choose from - hint of sarcasm) they left the dang thing on to give horrible rides all day (even after someone puked all over it).  It wasn't even enjoyable to ride which is such a shame because it is a great coaster when running well.
-----------------
Christ how do you kids do it

Maintenance is a MUST have item in a well-run park.  Letting these rides continue running like that is unacceptable IMO.  Replacing worn-out parts BEFORE the trains begin to actually damage the trackwork means you can keep the rides operational more of the time AND improve the ride experience!  Isn't making people happy SUPPOSED to be their job?  Sorry, no need to shout, I guess...Incidentally, I rode BKF in June and immediately it became my fav floorless - better than Kraken OR Medusa IMO.
-----------------
rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you

Just to answer the second part of your question, I think it has to do with the uneven manufacturing of the wheels. Specifically, the wheels are made from a batch of material (polyurethane if I recall correctly). It doesn't necessarily cure evenly when it is molded and cooled off. Those spots that are easiest to wear down will cause the flattened spots that create the "squareness" of the wheels, which translates to the bumpiness of the ride.

 

This is just conjecture and not informed in any way. That said, I've been on B:TR where the ride was pretty rough because of the wheels. Is it just on B&Ms? I can't say I remember any other ride being that bad due to wheel, unless the GASM at SFGAdv counts for this year.

SFMWManiac87, actually, the bumps are due to missing lengths (1/4-1/2 inch) of the metal track on top of the wood.