Aero Hack
 

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/...8faf971c84.jpg45 seconds to retrofit by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...7f61964b45.jpgDSCF2215 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8566/...72b1e756cc.jpgAerodynamic Experiment by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

Chilly day, 30 December , in New York. Came across a piece of Plastic, known as a pallet corner guard, and decided it would make a good Fairing... The Citi Bike already has a nice front rack, with a Bulkhead, all Metal, with welded point pegs to hook Bungee Cords to... Of course, I was carrying two Bungee Cords in the cargo pocket of my shorts... So, a quick and easy hack, to install a Fairing on a Rental Citi Bike ensued. It took less than 45 seconds to install the "Fairing".
Of course, now the Bike is No longer "UCI Compliant"... Like a Recumbent, it is considered "Cheating" to have an Aerodynamic Advantage.
This link shows you where to buy a pallet guard, if you want to try one on your bike. Keep in mind, it is "Cheating" , so you can't ride in any UCI sponsored Bicycle Races with it:
VeeBoard 24" Strap Web Protector Guard (8 x 8 x 24)

Don't know how well it'd work as a fairing, but it'd definitely help to hide the mugger's face!

It would be difficult for anyone to get away with a crime on a Citi Bike, considering each bike is tracked by a GPS transponder, and the user must provide a valid credit card number.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/...d6baecde_b.jpgAerodynamic Charts and Graphs by
AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/...7a3189f2_b.jpgAerodynamic Charts and Graphs by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...bdf60ddb_b.jpgAerodynamic Charts and Graphs by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...b918e92b_b.jpgAerodynamic Charts and Graphs by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/...18ed344c_b.jpgAerodynamic Charts and Graphs by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr
I've added some charts and graphs. I hope the doubters become enlightened. The UCI would not have declared Fairings to be "cheating" if they didn't work...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/116299...7647379849834/
More graphs^

I have a feeling the mugger would acquire his bike (Cioty, or otherwise) via- shall we say- another method.... ;)

[Appropriate that I'm posting in this thread now; I just got back from a ride in the wind!)

EDIT: Those charts are quite interesting!

I think an aero advantage is supposed to reduce the amount of effort required to propel something. Then there are wind screens and deflectors whose primary purpose is to shield the pilot from the elements.

Which one do you think this is and how have you decided that ?

As hacks go, this one probably didn't work. Big enough to increase frontal area and small enough to cause turbulence everywhere.

I think it's a clever way to keep warm!

Props to inventor for ingenuity.

Whether it would function as proposed, I'm not so certain. Aerodynamics play a relatively small role at the speeds usually reached on citibikes. As a faring to hide the riders body behind, for warmth, I can imagine it being more successful, might be hazardous in a short stop or crash.

Practical BS aside, I like the street punk mindset. Forget the nay sayers. Experimenting with creative ways to improve things gets my thumbs up!:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Exactly. Come across something, lash it up in less than a minute and go on your way with an improved ride. Whatever claims may or may not hold up, we've got to applaud that.

No they aren't. There have been a couple stolen,and there have been folks who have parked them overnight in their basements. The only tracking done is which docks they are checked in/out of.

I think I'd have lashed it the other way to keep the wind off my hands

Put some mirrors on either side and you're golden. You are like McGyver jr.