Streamlining a bicycle?

[19bonestock88]

So, until I buy another car, I'm down to using my bicycle, which means some really friggin cold rides... I've been thinking about doing a fairing/tail and keep some wind off me and benefit from better aero at the same time... Anyone have pics/ advice on where to start? I've got lots of free election signs and zip ties, but not much else yet, lol

[Vman455]

I would start with the wheels; pretty easy to do with flat coroplast. Make a disc for each side and zip tie them on. You can definitely do the back wheel; the front might make it harder to handle so you'll have to experiment to find what you're comfortable with. A full fairing might be beyond the scope of your materials, but you can fill in the frame and make some sort of tail. The lower you can get the front end, the better, since you're the highest drag part of the bike-rider system.

[spdfrk]

I have a Malibu and a bike as well. I have 05ls and a softride qualifier tt.

My biggest gains on the bike have been ws2 and nmf in the bottom bracket, wheel bearings, and jockey wheel bearings. Then solid tri-spoke carbon wheels from aliexpress.

Ceramic bearings work best with the nanolubricants. I've ridden my carbon frame mountain bike down to -52C with cast spoke magnesium wheels.

[19bonestock88]

Originally Posted by spdfrk

I have a Malibu and a bike as well. I have 05ls and a softride qualifier tt.

My biggest gains on the bike have been ws2 and nmf in the bottom bracket, wheel bearings, and jockey wheel bearings. Then solid tri-spoke carbon wheels from aliexpress.

Ceramic bearings work best with the nanolubricants. I've ridden my carbon frame mountain bike down to -52C with cast spoke magnesium wheels.

Would you be interested in some aeromods for your Malibu? I'm gonna try selling mine before I repurpose/scrap them...

I've got a cheap steel frame 700c hybrid bike... Straight bars, but tall-ish gearing... Some drop bars would be nice, as I rode a vintage road bike with them and loved them...

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

So, until I buy another car, I'm down to using my bicycle, which means some really friggin cold rides... I've been thinking about doing a fairing/tail and keep some wind off me and benefit from better aero at the same time... Anyone have pics/ advice on where to start? I've got lots of free election signs and zip ties, but not much else yet, lol

GOOGLE International Human Powered Vehicle Association and look at images of what members are riding/racing.

[Frank Lee]

When I bike is extreme cold I end up hot and sweaty. Layers. And being able to open them up on the go.

[19bonestock88]

Anywhere to find studded tires for 700C wheel? Right now I'm running 35mm

[sallen]

Schwalbe do a Marathon Plus in winter (studded) as far as I know, comes in a variety of touring sizes - also you can use:

- An old tyre and rivets;

- An old tyre and machine screws; or

- (my personal favourite) zip ties - not good with Rim Brakes tho...

[COcyclist]

Bone stock, here is my reply to a previous poster asking a similar question. "I have been a bike commuter for roughly 40 years and an avid cyclist for much of that time. In my experience, anything you do to a diamond frame bicycle will have minimal effect on your commute times. I commute year round wearing bulky, baggy clothes in winter. The biggest drag comes from the rider. If you can get your upper body low and your back level with the ground that will make the biggest difference. You will decrease your CdA so a drop bar may be better than a flat handlebar. An "aero-bar" may get you even flatter but it is not practical to ride that way in traffic.

Anything you add to the bike may help in some ideal conditions but be a hindrance in everyday use." There is someone who made a coroplast bicycle fairing that he claimed helped. I will try to find the link. You may find some interesting reading on this topic using the search function on this site.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ike-31669.html

[19bonestock88]

Not looking so much for reduced commute times, but for reduced strain on myself, and (in the case of the fairing) cut some of the cold air...