a football?
 

I saw this thing several months ago and at first thought it was a guy that had a clear umbrella mounted to the front of his bike but upon passing him I realized it was an entire enclosure, sorta like a clear football. I was back in town and saw it parked behind a store and I just happened to have my camera this time. What is this? Something home made or something you can actually purchase? I don't want one... it just has my curiosity. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=415801

It's filled with helium, and is for ultra weight weenies. The bike only weighs 5 pounds.

Interesting. I bet even the slightest breeze effects steering and the compensation with leaning.

But really, unless you have a 50$ hair doo for Prom or are riding in a hail storm, I see no point in this. There's rain gear that would suffice just as good and with better bike handling. But I'm just judging by a picture. By the way, if that bike owner is going to go all that extent for rain cover, they're missing a longer mud flap on the front fender. I bet their shoes and pants get soaked.

A rain jacket seems to me to be a lot easier. And safer too -- a gust of wind from the side and down he goes, or he gets pushed into something, like traffic.

I'm sure there are a number of reasons why you don't see these around.

Looks like one of those RC blimps.

Does the rider actually sit inside? It might help with wind resistance.

The creator of this 'invention' is probably thinking: "everyone is going to think I'm a genius!"

no dude, everyone thinks you're a dumbass lol

I think I've seen this before: WhiteDwarf

US inventor creates airship-shaped bicycle fairing | Bicycle Business | BikeBiz

Looks like it actually might BE the inventor's bike.

"James Gorman of Greensburg, Indiana, has created a zeppelin-shaped fairing for an upright bicycle "
http://www.bikebiz.com/cimages/77b9e...cba2d5cacc.jpg

Yep, OP is in Indiana. I'm sure it's meant to be used for aero purposes.

And the video on the website is set to private. Guess he didn't get it "off the ground" so to speak. I sure as heck wouldn't pay $650 for the thing. It probably makes visibility pretty bad.

Good idea, but ... too big, and badly shaped for aero benefit. Also too high, so that most of the enclosed space is above his body creating extra drag, while from almost his hips down are still exposed. Mounting hardware looks unnecessarily elaborate and heavy.

The pointed front makes it twitchy with a headwind. The high construction will make it more susceptible to cross winds. Just my 2 cents.

I bet it makes the rider sweat like a beast, too.

Land Zeppelin. Man, I loved their 3rd album.

I am getting claustrophobic someone open a window would yah?
V

Just buy a velomobile. No need to re-invent something that doesn't work as well.

Wind would just be terrible. Just a foot over the ground, the wind is higher. There's a reason why my mulch in my flower beds stays put. You put that same mulch 6 feet higher and it could end up across the country.

Sweet! Now he just needs some kind of breathing apparatus to avoid asphyxia in the helium-rich environment.

And lose his Porky Pig like voice?

haha this showed up on my FB feed today:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...bd81b873d9bbec

That shoulder mounted faring --fairing? ferring? How about Herring?......anyway......that shoulder mounted faring actually looks like it might not be too bad. Maybe useful in certain conditions.

But the bike zeppelin, though I admire the guy's ingenuity, is a bad idea. As others above have pointed out, wind is gonna be a huge problem.

I'll bet that bike is unsafe when wind gusts get above 5 mph.

This thread has turned into Dumb and Dumber.

So would some air in his back tire, but still.

He's cross-chained too. Dum bass.

Then don't waste time and effort putting your 2 cents in.

Happy trails!

Well...I didn't say I was going to run out and get one.

In certain conditions, and for certain riders, it could be useful.

Me? You? Most of the rest of us? Probably not. We'll make do just fine with the foul weather gear we have.

Not looking for your approval, advice or permission. I post what I like, where I like and when I like.

Greensburg is where I saw this. I was talking with a friend where I live and this guy brought it into the LBS. It's impressive but cross winds & visibility would make it problematic as best. I don't see it appealing to the masses.