Electric Bikes - If you ride in the rain, snow, cold weather, etc...take a look at this ...

http://www.veltop-usa.com/index.html

I think that I'd rather get rained on, snowed on, and skin cancer. It really doesn't look like it will prevent most rain from hitting me since rain rarely falls straight down. Plus, I think the wind would likely pick me up and deposit me in the Hudson River.
I think it would be nice to have a windshield sometimes.

I think that I'd rather get rained on, snowed on, and skin cancer. It really doesn't look like it will prevent most rain from hitting me since rain rarely falls straight down. Plus, I think the wind would likely pick me up and deposit me in the Hudson River.
I think it would be nice to have a windshield sometimes.



I read a independant review and supposedly it keeps the body fairly dry....from the waist down, it is possible to get a bit wet driving in a rainstorm , but from the waist up, stays dry.

as far as the wind goes....the manufacturer claims that that the wind/resistance encountered from the front of the canopy is no more then the resistance given by the cyclists upper body without the canopy. The sides of the canopy do roll up or down to protect the cyclist from rain/wind....of course it probably isnt a good idea to drive your bicycle with this canopy on it., when winds are above 20 mph.....

I do think it would make more sense to have the canopy be more pointed in the front for better aeorydynamics , kinda like this shape :

/\
/ \

I would think having the canopy shaped more arrow like upfront, would actually make it easier to pedal the bicycle , compared to a falt style front canopy , or no canopy at all and just comparing the resistance to the falt part of the humans upper body..

You are better off with a regular front fairing..I find that I stay very dry behind a Mueller windwrap fairing on my recumbent...the rain comes from the front, while riding.

I think that I'd rather get rained on, snowed on, and skin cancer. It really doesn't look like it will prevent most rain from hitting me since rain rarely falls straight down. Plus, I think the wind would likely pick me up and deposit me in the Hudson River.
I think it would be nice to have a windshield sometimes.


The canopy would also be a big help in keeping the cyclist warmer when they wish to do some cycling in freezing temperatures , but dont want the air generated from the cycling, hitting them directly in the ears/face ,etc....

I think this canopy would be better if it was more aerodynamically pointed in the front and if it also came down far enough to keep the wind/rain off of the cyclists hands...

below the waist isnt to big a problem in wind or cold or rain , because a pair of waterproof shoes and a lower rainsuit would be enough to protect those areas...

I had considered the ZZipper fairing. Not sure if I would throw the money for this as opposed to the ZZipper fairing. The price point is similar for both.
I also would be concerned with mounting issues, not sure what kind of hoops I would have to jump through to get either one to work with my rig.

It would seem to me, that any type of canopy system , would be aerodynamically best to have points facing the direction of most likely wind resistances...

something like a square or diamond shaped box canopy where the box is mounted so the corners face forward and backward and left to right side...


front of bike
/\
/ \
\ /
\ /


with such a design, I would think the canopy would make the bike more aeorydynamic even when compared to no canopy at all, and the flat surface of the riders upperbody. With the diamond shaped canopy, you have a desing that actually cuts thru the front wind force.

I like the idea of a canopy and/or fairing. I am however, concerned about side and quartering winds, I notice them enough with my Freeloaders and my panniers. I would think that the Velotop would increase the effect. Maybe if i win the Megabucks, I might throw the money just to try it out.