Recumbent - Wind sock question

The wind sock. What is it for--better airstreaming or visibility?

Windsocks are for improved aerodynamics and increased top speed.

Wind sock? Are you talking about the flag-like thing on the back? Visibility.

Not to be confused with a body sock, which is a fabric cover that goes over the bike and rider, usually used with a front fairing. That's for airstreaming.

Tailsock?

Tailsock?

I think that's what I mean. I'm talking about the sock flying on the back of the bike.

I'd never heard of a body sock until I posted this.

So your talking about one of these?


http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:KoFaGGXowdfVpM:http://www.hostelshoppe.com/images/products/la_06ter_mesh_sock.jpg

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ra2xqAqWU0dE1M:http://www.electric-bikes.com/betterbikes/tailsock.jpg

So your talking about one of these?


http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:KoFaGGXowdfVpM:http://www.hostelshoppe.com/images/products/la_06ter_mesh_sock.jpg

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ra2xqAqWU0dE1M:http://www.electric-bikes.com/betterbikes/tailsock.jpg

What would one of those do? Add visibility, improve speed, or both?

Big yes as far as visibility if a bright color is chosen. If looking for increased speed, you would want to first look to improve the aerodynamics of the front of the bike first but these would help ..... More so for strong riders who keep a very fast pace.

What would one of those do? Add visibility, improve speed, or both?

Yes: http://www.ohpv.org/albums/coastdn05/index.htm

Windsock: http://www.colors-wind.com/windsocks/images/MWTulip.jpg

Tailsock: http://www.terracycle.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/tsransorgblklo.gif

Bodysock: http://www.easyracers.com/images/IMG_2316_small.jpg

Thanks, Blazing Pedals. I'm assuming the one labelled wind-sock is just for visibilty, right?

New question. What happens when these various socks get soggy in the rain? Is there still any benefit or just an increase in weight?

Thanks, Blazing Pedals. I'm assuming the one labelled wind-sock is just for visibilty, right?


You'll note that there is no bicycle in the windsock picture. Windsocks are generally quite visible in a yard. There are mini-windsocks sold intended to be used as a flag would be used on a bike.

Thanks, Blazing Pedals. I'm assuming the one labelled wind-sock is just for visibilty, right?

New question. What happens when these various socks get soggy in the rain? Is there still any benefit or just an increase in weight?

Windsocks and tailsocks will just get soggy. A bodysock will keep some of the rain off of you, but you'd be surprised at what gets thrown up from underneath even with fenders.

An aside: from time to time there's a request for a "waterproof" bodysock. The bodysock users I know (I went riding with a half-dozen of them yesterday) will tell you this is impractical since:
A. Stretchy fabric tends not to be waterproof, and waterproof fabric tends not to be stretchy.
2. Waterproof fabric doesn't breathe well, and there's actually substantial ventilation through the fabric. Put a sweaty gym sock in a plastic bag for a week to experience what an unventilated bodysock is like.

http://home.comcast.net/~jeff_wills/springride2004/images/springride53.jpg

Windsocks function by creating drag, a bad thing on most bikes.