Hase Kettwiesel Fairing ideas page
A quick page on my ideas for a possible fairing for
my Hase Kettwiesel recumbent trike.
Introduction (Dec 2002)
Aim
- Wind and rain protection rather than aerodynamics. I suffer a lot from cold feet
and hands in the winter and also hate wearing waterproof trousers.
- I do not mind to much if my fairing design involves me wearing a
waterproof jacket in the rain.
Commercial fairings
- Commercial fairings or ready built velomobiles are too expensive for me (although if
money was no object I like the look of the Leitra (Eur6254)).
- I am not worried to much about the
aerodynamics nor about keeping every last bit of me totally dry. So I think that if
I compromise on these I can get something cheaper and lighter (commercial velomobiles usually come in at
around 28 to 34kg (62 to 75lbs) basic weight) although I am not sure about the probable
aesthetics of my designs !!.
Current idea
- Shape: front fairing, low-sides and tailbox, possibly with a removable fabric section
on top to keep me dry but without a base so that I do not get too hot. The front fairing
would protect my feet and lower legs, the sides would channel the air past my hands
and the tailbox would provide storage and possibly extend around the wheels to provide
full mudguards.
- Material: for me fibreglass, carbon fibre or metal are out for home-building but I do
feel happy working with wood.
I have also considered foam (either cheap camping mat foam or the more exotic
Zote Foam
pioneered as a fairing material by
John Tetz)
or a "bag" fairing (a metal/wood/fibreglass strut frame covering in something like Lycra).
- Structure: a wooden frame with v. thin (0.8mm) plywood covering:
similar to the old Velocars (photo to come). (scan of plan to come)
February 2004: Ideas from the Sinclair C5
(For those not familiar with the Sinclair C5 it is (was) an
electro-assist trike produced briefly in the UK in the mid-80s. It
was/is the butt of many jokes, but most of these can be seen as a
typical reaction of a conservative/car-centric culture (uncool,
dangerous, slow...). For a positive view see Sinclair C5 Enthusiasts or
summary photos at my photo album page Sinclair C5)
This fairing design itself has many aspects that appeal to me: most
of the time you have a minimum front fairing, then in cold/wet weather
you add the fabric side panels to better protect the feet/lower legs,
and in the rain you add the cape/hood section. (The C5 itself is too
little bike for me !)
October 2004: More searching
Pros and Cons
These are of course mostly subjective, and some apply to all fairings:
Plus
- Comfort: against cold and wet: see above.
- Possibly slightly faster ?
- Will cars see me better ?
- Cheap (although it depends how you factor-in your own time !!).
Minus
- Cheap: it will probably look it :-)
- Weight.
- ?Noise: wind and amplified road rumble.
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