Bicycle umbrella/fairing

[rui_fujino]

hi guys! I was wondering if anyone has great idea for the waterproofing while cycling...
yes i have looked up alot but cant find great ones...
they are the only ones i found:

 

[dannyboyohyeah]

Howdy~
If you've ridden motorcycles ...you'll remember that a fairing is the most effective way of staying dry. When you are moving...the rain is not really getting you from overhead...it's from the front. Plus....I would be VERY reluctant to put such a huge windsock on something as light as a bicycle. You could get dragged off the road or into traffic with a big gust. Try zzipper...they make bike fairings. Most bicycle fairing companies are now limited to recumbants and have discontinued those for the upright bikes. Am letting the idea simmer in my head, as I want to make one for my bike as well....something small, more for aerodynamics than rainproofing...but it would keep alot've that away too. Good luck~~!!

 

[dogman dan]

Both look very effective for staying dry while not riding. Wish I had a problem with rain, as the big drought continues. On the bright side, at least we aren't actually on fire here.

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

google images for Mimosa Pale.

iirc she designed some sort of bike hood.

 

[Pure]

Here's a thread I recently did on the subject. http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30346

Basically there ain't much you can do. The first pic you showed is about the best option, but needs lower side skirts to be of any real use.

 

[rui_fujino]

google images for Mimosa Pale.

iirc she designed some sort of bike hood.

hahah thats very cool rainproof! but then imagine that thing going +30mph!

 

[amberwolf]

The only thing that either of those umbrellas are going to do for you would probably be more effectively done by good raingear, and the raingear isn't likely to act as a parachute/windscoop in the high wind gusts that often happen in rainstorms (at least around here, and in northeast Texas, the two places I have biked in rain in). Plus all the cars passing that splash waves of water onto you from teh side and underneath.

Even just a plain knee-length raincoat with drawstring hood, and goggles, would keep me drier than the stuff pictured above.

 

[Joseph C.]

Pure: The problem with having the side panels lower is that side-winds would wreak havoc.

The mimosa pale is definitely not an option.

 

[Pure]

I know it can't be too much lower, but if you look at the pics in the thread I posted. The setup I found has sides that are lil lower. Not so much that it would add much to the sail effect from the sides, but enough to help give you better protection. The one the OP posted is so short that it wouldn't really be effective at keeping you dry on the sides. These things are really only ever going to help keep your upper body from getting wet. Your pants and legs will still get soaked.

 

[Hillhater]

Comon guys !! .... Harden the f... up !
... its only water :lol:

 

[AussieJester]

^^ROFL....

Rain only hits from the front when riding a motorcycle made me laugh to, what happens when your stationary? does the rain some how do a 90° turn LoL

Wet weather gear is the most effective way of keeping ones clothes protected from the elements..IMO..umbrellas and 'fairings' not only look ridiculous on bicycles as mentioned already, could also be dangerous.

KiM

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

Comon guys !! .... Harden the f... up !
... its only water :lol:

yes, that sorta was my subliminal message ya big p****. :lol:

chewin on bugs & washing them down with spray is all part the appeal.
inhaled a nice fat bumble-bee once.
even tho i managed spit her out almost immediately my tongue still swelled up for about half an hour.

my bike has no down tube to speak of to even partially deflect the upkick from the front wheel.
so i get a snoot full every time which was just the thing to encourage me to get a full-face helmet.

 

[sk8norcal]

http://www.gizmag.com/hase-bikes-klimax-faired-trike/19732/

 

[Hillhater]

...The bottom of the trike is still open, although fenders should help minimize the road spray ... somewhat.

Oh yea ! .. have you ever ridden through a puddle on a trike ??

 

[Joseph C.]

I know it can't be too much lower, but if you look at the pics in the thread I posted. The setup I found has sides that are lil lower. Not so much that it would add much to the sail effect from the sides, but enough to help give you better protection. The one the OP posted is so short that it wouldn't really be effective at keeping you dry on the sides. These things are really only ever going to help keep your upper body from getting wet. Your pants and legs will still get soaked.

I purchased the Veltop two weeks ago but it only arrived today. I will let you know how it goes.

So far it seems to use more amps than normal but it was quite windy today. The side-panels aren't great with strong side winds so I had to fold them up. It will take a bit of getting used to though.

 

[wojtek]

the only way to stay DRY in the rain is fully enclosed Velomobile..

I tried many things to protect myself from rain on normal or recumbent bike. They all fail. If you want to have a nice and comfortable ride at high speeds, velomobile is the answer.

Even the Interceptor / Thunderstorm solutions from steintrike are CRAP. They look good but once you start riding, there is so much noise and instability.