AltheCyclist

I saw this and about cracked up ...
https://www.zzipper.com/testimonials/..._Geoffrey.html

After stopped laughing, I wondered, Does anyone use this out there?
Company claims 5% increase in speed using their fairings.

billyymc

And 100% increase in dorkiness.

travelmama

I have seen them before.

kludgefudge

I think given the fact that the base vehicle is allready a freakin recumbent trike, the fairing only gives it about a 37.5% increase in dorkiness.

tjspiel

I've seen motorcycle-like fairings on upright bikes. I've seen nothing like that.

Why is the front clear?

AltheCyclist

In developing story ... I showed this to friend, who suggested that it would make it easier to bike naked (just cover the clear plastic on the front). I suggested that he replace it with a magnifying glass. Good times...

steve0257

Combination rain cape/tent

HiYoSilver

There is no new product from this company. The data supporting gains seem a bit dubious. Strange yes. The only one that makes any sense is the thriller https://zzipper.com/Products/prod_upright.php

Issues I see:
1. insufficient data on gains
2. no good reviews by customers
3. cross wind effects

Pluses is that $325 is less than a good pair of wheels

colleen c

Truthful and honestly speaking, yes I do see 5% increase in speed. I even see a possible speed increase of 15% when everyone is laughing hard at you and you're pedaling your butt off to get home ASAP

Val

I use one of these on my road bike sometimes, and, yes, they work. I did not see any increase in speed, but this is just because I ride at my own speed no matter what (12-15mph on the level), and don't usually try to increase it. I definitely notice a savings of effort, and headwinds of up to 10mph (or so) seem to make no difference at all, which is nice - I can feel the headwind on my face, but not in my legs. In the winter, tucking one's hands in behind it and out of the wind is nice, too. I actually took it off because I was not riding far enough to get any workout with the fairing - it made it too easy. I still like to use it for rides of more than 30 miles.

DX-MAN

Oh.

Hell.

No.

nwmtnbkr

LOL, I'm disappointed that a group of cyclists seem so unfamiliar with the concept of velomobiles. (Zzipper is a well-know maker of fairings, by the way.) Although the photo in the link isn't a true velomobile, the concept is the same. Velomobiles, also know as velocars, and recumbants have been around for quite some time. They were an affordable alternative to automobiles in pre-WWII Europe.



Today's versions definitely are more aerodynamic. Some now offer electric assist.



It's clearly time for the diamond frame people to hit the text books and begin to learn about the history of cycling.

shouldberiding

That's not a velomobile in the OP. It's a recumbent trike with a big day-glow condom stretched over it.

CCrew

Oh gawd no... There's a guy that I've seen on the W&OD on a recumbent with something like that in an american flag theme.

frankenmike 

Dude now just needs a fairing for his beard for the final 1% drag reduction.

JanMM

Zipper fairings have been around for quite a while. It's an aerodynamic thing. I'd like to try one in Winter.

https://www.zzipper.com/



Not sure if that is a Zipper product that I saw on the Hilly Hundred a couple of years ago.

coldfeet

If I had the money, I'd like to experiment with a Velomobile. Gear it high, to take advantage of the aerodynamics, and electrify it for quick take off from the lights, and to give a base speed even when climbing.

They do look very dorky though, on the other hand, if I was rich, I wouldn't care so much what others thought.

BassNotBass

OK... I know fairings can really help when they're designed well. But I draw the line on stretchy dayglow body-stocking things that might make me look like a friggin performance artist on wheels.

Hey look... a Mummenschanz fish performance.

agarose2000

I hear that these things are noisy as hell - might even be the biggest complaint from regular users. There are some really fast modern ones that I'd rock out on a bike or recumbent, but even those are apparently prone to serious decibel problems.

aley

What I want to know is, what's the deal with this guy's pedals? They look like clipless pedals with some sort of huge foot pads clipped in.

BSB

If it's raining, you can pull your head inside to stay dry, but still see where you are going?

tjspiel

I hadn't noticed that right away. I'm guessing he's not the owner and just borrowed it. It looks like there's sandals clipped in and he's using them as platforms.

Pedaleur

Don't forget you can use it to keep the hair off you when you get a hair cut.

Booger1

A portable sauna for your bike,what will they think of next....

AdamDZ

Ha ha ha!!! I wonder how long it takes to get out of it, you know... when you need to go