Hotbike, I would assume that even with a head-tube mounted box, the extra protection in the event of a collision with a car would be minimal. Regardless of what you have in front of your bike, you're probably going to flip over the handlebars and end up on the car's windshield. I really can't see how it would make a bike any safer than it already is.

As for aerodynamics, I don't see why you would ever be carrying a heavy load of gravel at any high speeds where an aerodynamic setup would even be necessary. Furthermore, a pull-behind trailer shouldn't add too much wind-drag, and it could be made to haul more than 100 pounds. Also, it would be easier to detach from the bike.

If you're set on front-mounted things, why wouldn't a frame mounted rack do the job? It should be more aerodynamic because the bars would have less drag, and if you made it out of steel I'm sure it could hold a ton of weight.

Like I said before, I think it's cool that you're pushing the boundaries with bike modifications, and I think these bikes would make great art-bikes, (specifically the "type 10" before it was redone).



These bikes would make great art bikes, and i admire the amount of work put into them, but I still don't see how they would be any more useful than a bike with a trailer or a steel frame-mounted rack.