A bicycle fairing also called recumbent fairing is a full or partial covering for a

bicycle A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist. Bic ...

to reduce

aerodynamic Aerodynamics, from grc, ἀήρ ''aero'' (air) + grc, δυναμική (dynamics), is the study of the motion of air, particularly when affected by a solid object, such as an airplane wing. It involves topics covered in the field of fluid dyn ...

drag or to protect the rider from the elements. It is more common to see

recumbent bicycle A recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. Most recumbent riders choose this type of design for ergonomic reasons: the rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by ba ...

s with partial or full fairing. A bicycle with a full fairing is a regular bicycle fitted with an extra component, as opposed to a

velomobile A velomobile (); velomobiel, velo, or bicycle car is a human-powered vehicle (HPV) enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and/or protection from weather and collisions. Velomobiles are similar to recumbent bicycles, pedal go-karts and tricycles, bu ...

, which is a permanently enclosed bicycle.

Bodysock

Fairings are available for the front and rear of the vehicle. Some riders also use a "bodysock," a fabric (usually

lycra Spandex, Lycra, or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is a polyether-polyurea copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia, US. The g ...

) covering which connects the front fairing and the rear fairing, enclosing the rider for even less drag. Socks can also be run from a front fairing to an "A" shaped framework on the back of the seat. Or a "tailsock" can run from the back of the seat to the "A" shaped framework. A tailsock using lycra fabric and small

aluminium Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. I ...

tubes adds very little weight. Front and rear fairings have been shown to be beneficial for long wheelbase bikes, but front fairings are less beneficial for short wheelbase bikes. Front fairings and bodysocks have the advantage of blocking wind and rain on cool days, and a bodysock can help block the sun on bright days.

Aerodynamic benefits

Empirical results indicate that a faired tailbox can increase speed on a low short wheelbase bike by around 5-10%, but this has not been validated formally. The design of the fairing is important: a long, sealed fairing gives best compensation for the added weight; for road riding a tailbox may well not repay the weight penalty. The most exotic machines have lightweight full-body fairings, tested in wind tunnels, but these are not practical for street use. Indeed, the riders of many of these bikes must be taped in, and the bike launched by handlers on the outside.

Velomobile

A velomobile has a fully enclosed body, is usually a three-wheeled design, and protects the rider in all weather.

References

External links

In search of an enclosed bike

{{Human-powered vehicles Fairing

Bodysock

Aerodynamic benefits

Velomobile

See also

References

External links