I have now ridden my bent with the tail box installed for about 50 miles. I thought I would report back.
I'm sorry to say that I can't notice any clear increase in speed. I'm still hanging in there at 17 to 19 mph. Today, I rode 20 miles. The first ten I averaged about 18. (about because I screwed up the cyclometer in my anaerobic haze. I had 5 miles at 18.3 and 5 at 17.6.
I did notice a lot of red (my fairing is red) in the triangle formed by my head, my shoulder and the fairing. I'm going to recut that area to see if I can reduce frontal area.
I believe I'm just not powerfull enough, at this time, to go fast enough to get the benefits of a fairing. I keep reading that they cut in at speeds over 20. That's my ceiling now.
I saw what was either a coral snake or a scarlet king snake while riding yesterday. It was the right length (12" to 18" and colorful. I can't remember the order of colors, which is how you tell them apart. Black head and "black on yellow, deadly fellow". The same anaerobic haze that caused me to screw up the cyclometer caused the snake to not register until it was behind me. Like all self respecting snakes, it was headed for the bush. As soon as they feel the vibrations, they stop or head for the deep brush at the side of the trail. Yesterday was a good snake day, I saw several other larger snakes, probably rat snake, of 4 feet up.
-- Miles of Smiles,
Tom Blum Winter Haven, Florida Homebuilts: SWB Tour Easy Clone Speed Machine Clone
Tom This sounds like a really good place to NOT fall off your bent, lest you become lunch. ------------------------ "Tom Blum" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I forgot a detail of yesterdays report:
Snake sighting
I saw what was either a coral snake or a scarlet king snake while riding yesterday. It was the right length (12" to 18" and colorful. I can't remember the order of colors, which is how you tell them apart. Black head and "black on yellow, deadly fellow". The same anaerobic haze that caused
me
Quoted message said:
to screw up the cyclometer caused the snake to not register until it was behind me. Like all self respecting snakes, it was headed for the bush. As soon as they feel the vibrations, they stop or head for the deep brush at the side of the trail. Yesterday was a good snake day, I saw several other larger snakes, probably rat snake, of 4 feet up.
-- Miles of Smiles,
Tom Blum Winter Haven, Florida Homebuilts: SWB Tour Easy Clone Speed Machine Clone
red and black, friend of jack; red and yellow, kill a fellow.
That's how I learned it. I added a third stanza:
When in doubt, get the h*** out!
Bruce
Tom Blum said:
I forgot a detail of yesterdays report:
Snake sighting
I saw what was either a coral snake or a scarlet king snake while riding yesterday. It was the right length (12" to 18" and colorful. I can't remember the order of colors, which is how you tell them apart. Black head and "black on yellow, deadly fellow". The same anaerobic haze that caused me to screw up the cyclometer caused the snake to not register until it was behind me. Like all self respecting snakes, it was headed for the bush. As soon as they feel the vibrations, they stop or head for the deep brush at the side of the trail. Yesterday was a good snake day, I saw several other larger snakes, probably rat snake, of 4 feet up.
-- Miles of Smiles,
Tom Blum Winter Haven, Florida Homebuilts: SWB Tour Easy Clone Speed Machine Clone
I just finished a tailbox myself. I noticed an increase from 34 to 39 mph on the steepest hill near my home. I think is is good for a mile an hour in the 17 to 20 mph range. The faster I go the better it compares.
My DF ridiing buddy got right behind me and put his hand down behind my taillight. He said my "sweet spot" is gone. He can't find draft behind me any more.
I just finished a tailbox myself. I noticed an increase from 34 to 39 mph on the steepest hill near my home. I think is is good for a mile an hour in the 17 to 20 mph range. The faster I go the better it compares.
I just finished a tailbox myself. I noticed an increase from 34 to 39 mph on the steepest hill near my home. I think is is good for a mile an hour in the 17 to 20 mph range. The faster I go the better it compares.
Yours is very nicely shaped and finished. My cardboard trial tailbox was, er,-- much more 'boxy' and probably too short to do much good. I wanted something for storage/luggage as well and the plastic storage box mounted on the beam worked adequately if less elegantly.
Quoted message said:
Any pictures of your box?
No, I never went beyond the trial stage. The BikeE is now my loaner/utility bike and the need for more speed was addressed with a Tour Easy.
I'm still toying with a few ideas for an inexpensive tailbox for the TE. Streamlining would help, I'm sure, but I think hills and weight are more of an issue for me at my average speed. More importantly for me, an engine reconditioning is already under way. %^)
