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A bicycle fairing also called recumbent fairing is a full or partial covering for a
Empirical results indicate that a faired tailbox can increase speed on a low short wheelbase bike by around 5 to 10%, but this has not been validated formally. The design of the fairing is important: a long, sealed fairing gives best compensation for the added weight; for road riding a tailbox may well not repay the weight penalty. The most exotic machines have lightweight full-body fairings, tested in wind tunnels, but these are not practical for street use. Indeed, the riders of many of these bikes must be taped in, and the bike launched by handlers on the outside.
File:Velomobile-decapotable-rouge2.jpg, A removable velomobile fairing
File:People Powered Vehicle.jpg, A velomobile with a boxy fairing
File:Podbike FRIKAR velomobile.jpg, A fully-enclosed velomobile with a bubble fairing
In search of an enclosed bike
{{Human-powered vehicles Fairing
bicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered transport, human-powered or motorized bicycle, motor-assisted, bicycle pedal, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two bicycle wheel, wheels attached to a ...
to reduce aerodynamic
Aerodynamics () is the study of the motion of atmosphere of Earth, air, particularly when affected by a solid object, such as an airplane wing. It involves topics covered in the field of fluid dynamics and its subfield of gas dynamics, and is an ...
drag or to protect the rider from the elements. It is more common to see recumbent bicycle
A recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position, and often called a Human-powered_land_vehicle, human-powered vehicle or HPV, especially if it has an aerodynamic fairing. Recumbents are available in a w ...
s with partial or full fairing. A bicycle with a full fairing is a regular bicycle fitted with an extra component, as opposed to a velomobile
A velomobile (); velomobiel, velo, or bicycle car is a human-powered vehicle (HPV) enclosed for Aerodynamics, aerodynamic advantage and/or protection from weather and collisions. Velomobiles are similar to recumbent bicycles, pedal go-karts and ...
, which is a permanently enclosed bicycle.
Bodysock
Fairings are available for the front and rear of the vehicle. Some riders also use a "bodysock," a fabric (usuallylycra
Spandex, Lycra, or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity (physics), elasticity. It is a polyether-polyurea copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont.
Name
The name ''spandex'', which ...
) covering which connects the front fairing and the rear fairing, enclosing the rider for even less drag. Socks can also be run from a front fairing to an A-shaped framework on the back of the seat. Or a "tailsock" can run from the back of the seat to the A-shaped framework. A tailsock using lycra fabric and small aluminium
Aluminium (or aluminum in North American English) is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol Al and atomic number 13. It has a density lower than that of other common metals, about one-third that of steel. Aluminium has ...
tubes adds very little weight. Front and rear fairings have been shown to be beneficial for long wheelbase bikes, but front fairings are less beneficial for short wheelbase bikes. Front fairings and bodysocks have the advantage of blocking wind and rain on cool days, and a bodysock can help block the sun on bright days.
Aerodynamic benefits
Empirical results indicate that a faired tailbox can increase speed on a low short wheelbase bike by around 5 to 10%, but this has not been validated formally. The design of the fairing is important: a long, sealed fairing gives best compensation for the added weight; for road riding a tailbox may well not repay the weight penalty. The most exotic machines have lightweight full-body fairings, tested in wind tunnels, but these are not practical for street use. Indeed, the riders of many of these bikes must be taped in, and the bike launched by handlers on the outside.
Velomobile
A velomobile has a fully enclosed body, is usually a three-wheeled design, and protects the rider in all weather.See also
*Bicycle fender
On a bicycle, a fender American English or mudguard British English is a part that encloses a tire so that it stops spray of water, sand, mud, stones and other road debris from thrown into the air by the rotating wheel. Full-covering fenders go ...
* Outline of cycling
Cycling, also known as bicycling or biking, is the activity of riding bicycles or other Human-powered transport, human-powered vehicles with Wheel, wheels, for transportation, recreation, exercise, sport, and other purposes.
People who engage i ...
* Motorcycle fairing
A motorcycle fairing is a shell placed over the frame of a motorcycle, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, to deflect wind and reduce air drag. The secondary functions are the protection of the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induc ...
References
External links
In search of an enclosed bike
{{Human-powered vehicles Fairing