Possible aero mods for conventional frame bicycle

[parabellum]

I would like to ask if there are any aerodynamic modifications that would do any good for a typical bicycle (in my case this is a diamond frame road bicycle)?

I'm doing 20 km two-way trips every day with little stops.

I've seen some mods like wheel and frame fairings (a flat plate fitted into the front triangle of the diamond frame).

Would a front screen be a good idea?

What about side-wings?

[BamZipPow]

Welcome to the forums!

Give this a read...
Ride Your Bike Faster or With Less Effort Using a Partial Fairing

[rumdog]

Or aero bars for getting lower?
Or smooth backpack for better wake.... kammback pack!
and definitely high tyre pressure/smooth tyres and lubed drivetrain
i have never tried a curved windscreen

[BamZipPow]

...and more!
Upper Wheel Fairings are designed to give bicycle wind resistance the slip

[Cd]

This isn't entirely on topic, but I thought it would be worth posting here for ideas, since this is a conventional bicycle, versus a recumbent :How You Design a Bicycle to Hit 138 MPH on a Ski Slope | WIRED

[Grant-53]

There a number of things you can do to improve the aerodynamics of any bike. The main drag is the rider's body. Decide what position is safe and comfortable for you. Typical road bike position is a 45 degree back angle. A time trial or triathlon bike has the rider's back parallel to the ground. The nose piece and tail box covers from the should down to just below the knee. The width would be about 20 -22" at the shoulder and taper to the knees. Overall length is at least 3 times the width. VERY IMPORTANT! The nose piece needs to attach to the frame and not the handle bars to avoid cross wind input.

See the aero tail box in Alternative Transportation by low&slow. Streamlining a motorcycle is very similar to an upright bike. There is also a thread in the Technical/Bike Building forum at recumbents.com

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

...and more!
Upper Wheel Fairings are designed to give bicycle wind resistance the slip

Nice design. $200 for a $3 worth of coroplast and some brackets seems a bit extreme though.

[Grant-53]

Possible design for fairing. Foam or tubing for ribs and sheet material for the skin.

[parabellum]

BamZipPow, thanks for the greeting. I have my account for a few years but I wasn't too active here, though.

It sounds like putting a well-fitted windshield can lower the power output by several watts, now I have to do it myself and check if it works that well for me (I ride almost only in the touring position, I don't do any racings).

These upper wheel fairing are really expensive, maybe doing your own fairing that are integrated with fenders and enclose the whole wheel (with cuts for brakes) would be a cheaper way?


Rumdog, I've seen that some of the pizza delivery men riding on scooters have rucksacks in a prolonged shape, maybe that would be a good base for making a kamback pack

Grant-53, I will surely make the read about the tail box, I'm riding upright so I have to check if it will work well in that configuration.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Cd

This isn't entirely on topic, but I thought it would be worth posting here for ideas, since this is a conventional bicycle, versus a recumbent :How You Design a Bicycle to Hit 138 MPH on a Ski Slope | WIRED

The lower arm and lower leg fairings,integrated into the riding apparel should be emphasized as an opportunity for drag reduction.
Helmet turtledeck and torso boat-tailing can also be applied to the 'back' of the rider jacket.
This is something the Craig Vetter gang is missing on the Motorcycle Forum.
Thank you VERY much for this image! It's worth $billions in savings over the future.