Replacing my car with a semi-recumbent bike

[Grant-53]

It would have been a different fairing. I would have to try to determine which thread you are citing.

I imagine this is the one.

[Grant-53]

Perhaps this is the one.

[BLSTIC]

That's an odd design. I was expecting something like the vetter fairings to be honest... Although I could do one of those on my revive, I think I'll wait until I finish my assisted tadpole velo...

Incidentally, when it's not raining I use my revive for most things nearby. Huge (65%) reduction in fuel costs, 20% increase in fitness. 100% increase in enjoyment of surrounding scenery. Also, slow biking makes for a good partner entertaining activity.

[Grant-53]

Yes, this is an older experiment and I have been working mostly on an inexpensive system for mountain bikes. A motorcycle fairing is about 15% larger than one for a bike. The semi-recumbent is rare around here so I have not paid as much attention to it as other vehicles. I posted the scooter drawing as it seems similar to the semi-recumbent. A low nose and long tail are the common features of a good fairing.

[BLSTIC]

Yeah, semi-recumbents are rare. There are a couple of good reasons too. Without strange steering geometry you are limited to a small front wheel. And if you want a normal wheelbase the rear wheel has to be smaller too, so the seat can be above it, which also limits your climbing angle (falls over backwards on extremely steep inclines) as the weight is rear biased. The small wheels create balance issues at low speed, and have a learning curve.

However the comfort is totally worth it, and with all that rear weight, I can stop *really* fast before going over the bars is a concern.

[Grant-53]

The closest bike I have ridden to the 'revive' is a Linear recumbent. It has a longer wheelbase and a 26" rear wheel. The seat height is higher than most recumbents. One advantage to the 'revive' is that you can build a full tail section and not have to struggle with getting a leg over the top bar. In the works is a mixte frame bike with a full tail. Remember that is it winter here. When I build a streamlined triathlon bike I can ride at 30 mph, I will install a seat belt.

[BLSTIC]

The only things really stopping me from aero-ing the crap out of the revive are the gearing (no obvious way to mount a dérailleur on the front) and the fact that the frame is super-adjustable, and so about 5kg heavier than it needs to be (no seriously, it has an 18" long cast steel runner for the seat adjustment, TWO handlebar columns, one of which telescopes, and further sliding adjustments for the seat base and back).

So I'm waiting to build a velo now...

[Grant-53]

The fairing doesn't need to be super slick for commuting. The area from the upper calf to the shoulder is of primary concern. The front screen attaches to the head tube and extends upward parallel to the handle bars. The rear section rests on the rack. The front bulkhead matches the outline of the shoulders, hips, and thighs. The second bulkhead is a half meter further back and defines the taper which may end in a point about a meter from the seat.
For a good shape for the velomobile take a look at the plans for gliders. My favorite is the SZD-9 Bocian 1E at vintagesailplaner.com Sheet1.

[Grant-53]

[Sven7]

Have you thought about going tubeless? You'd need to find rims with wide, flat bead shelves like this. Add rim strip and Slime, and go!