Originally Posted by
Kontact
Trail is the distance on the ground between the line of the steering angle and a vertical line from the dropout, which requires the outer diameter of the tire.
So you would derive it by drawing a picture of the above and measuring, measuring the actual bike, or writing a math formula - which is what that website does.
Thanks Kontact. Actually measuring the bike wouldn't be a derivation, but I get your point. Not a math guy, the formula, whatever that might be, is above my pay grade. The online calculator is helpful.