I've researched and thought at length about streamlining my
shockproof, and I've come up with an idea. Please lend me
your thoughts and any references on similar projects.
Presumptions:
Full hardshell tail fairing:
+ Convex curve transition behind body needed for aero
shape. Hardshell trunk is really nice - foam core makes
great cooler
- streamlining body / fairing interface is tough, weak,
and heavy long extensions under seat and frame and back
to tail are heavy and yield little storage getting nice
appearance (although positively dreamy) is very labor
intensive - conversely, coroplast can make functional
fairing, but looks bad.
Tail sock/stick:
+ Easy
- no storage, obviously a sock on a stick, convex, less
aero, wind catching shape.
Panniers:
+ Functional, looks OK
- Aerodynamically so-so
ANSWER?:
Make an aerodynamic shaped trunk out of foam and glass,
rather like those rounded tapering touring trunks you see on
motorcycles. You try to make it look good, since this will
be your "casual" trunk. This will pop onto the back of your
seat behind your shoulders. It extends no further than the
back of your tire. Flat backed, with maybe a removable
rubber trim Kamm spoiler.
But for those times you want real speed, you take a small
aluminum frame from behind the seat and mount it to holes in
the trunk. Then you stretch a sock that attaches to the
frame. Up front, it closes around the sides of your torso
with a drawstring to get a seamless body/fairing transition.
It also seals up around underneath your seat, so you
basically become a streamliner from your butt back.
I'll be making the trunk over the holidays and trying to get
some good "trunk only" data.
--
Robert Haston Satellite Beach, FL