Daily Archives: May 27, 2009

More exciting "ff" news from Jeff 2

accesories/equipment, Catrike 700, cycling • Tags:
Last Night on the Catrike Board, I ask Jeff: Today he replied:
I read on the BROL board that there will be other [larger] models of the front fairing. Which of your model will be most aero and will either of them have the vision tunnel. It looks pretty cool. I guess one of your models will be more akin to your concept rendering? Once you have them all, it will be interesting to know which gives the best performance with your dynamite tail fairing. Thanks again and have a safe journey to San Jose. –jim Thanks for the good wishes!  A larger fairing will be based upon the current model having the vision tunnel, but will extend farther back at the top and sides to be even more aero. That fairing will lend itself to having a sport/sun roof attached as an option. A larger fairing will weigh more, but increase speed and make it more like a velomobile. I was able to get the current model done very quickly because it is based upon an existing airplane’s nose cone, shaped and modified with the vision tunnel. I will put pics of the raw nose cone online as well. It will be available as an experimenter’s kit so that anyone can purchase it and make their own style of fairing. I may also do a fairing version like the rendering. It’s just a matter of time and getting things done. What an exciting trip this is going to be!

a_noseupperright
Other Goblin Fairing information in this blog:

Updates from Jeff [05/26 & 05/27] 1

accesories/equipment, Catrike 700, cycling • Tags: ,

Updates on Jeff’s new addition to his fairing line [the "Tunnel Vision" Front Fairing].

Jeff /05/26 ride report Catrike I haven’t sprinted on the flat since I posted the 32 mph on the 700 several weeks ago (no fairings) and I haven’t ridden in almost 3 weeks, so, I’m pretty happy with what happened this morning! With the muscles screaming in vain I went almost 33 1/2 mph using just the front fairing on the 700. My cruise speed was up from non-faired by 3-4 mph depending on the path condition.On a side note, I’m really impressed with the paint finish that my new painter is laying down on the fairings’ fiberglass. Oh, baby! Nice and shiny… downright purdy!It turns out that I’ll be able to bring the front fairing prototype to the race in painted condition. My painter will blast it with Goblin Green tonight so that I can pack things up for the trip tomorrow afternoon! Hasta, Jeff
Me Catrike Good for you!Glad you got a speedy ride with your new front fairing. How is visibility with the fairing, i.e., any problems seeing the trail to your immediate front?Also, what’s in the other 5% to be completed? Also good that you’ll go to the races with Goblin Green, fore & aft. Thanks Jeff! –jim
Jeff /05/26 Catrike The 5% left is to dial in the ‘straightness’ or symmetry of the part. That can be a bit time consuming. I worked it over more today, prior to handing it over to the painter. It’s at about 98% now. I’ll work it over a bit more before I make its mold. I’m calling the front fairing for the 700 the ‘Tunnel Vision’ fairing. You can see very well in front of you on the trail. The vision tunnel allows for a good view of the road. It was a pain to create (shape it, sit on the trike and look, shape it again, look, shape it again…) but it works well. I have the newly painted Cricket tail fairing back on the trike. Holy guacamole, a nice paint job is really cool. I’m so happy to have found a better painter. My first ones didn’t do a good job. I now have an agreed upon price to paint the products in a professional manner that fits the affordable price structure. All is good in fiberglass fairing land. When I pick up the freshly painted front fairing at lunch time tomorrow, I’ll take it for a ride again… for the first time with the front and rear fairing installed. The ‘Tunnel Vision’ front fairing will also fit other bikes and trikes that have similar boom designs. It attaches using 4 hose clamps and is incredibly rigid. 2 attach to the chainring shifter tube, the other 2 to the boom just aft of that. –Jeff
tclark /05/26 BROL I’m a big fan of your rear fairing. I was hoping that your front one would cover more real estate like this one:
Jeff /05/27 BROL There will eventually be larger ones available. This one is the smallest of the series. There will also be a version that extends out over the rider’s arms, leading to a sport/sun roof overhead. –Jeff
Tidbits 05/22 For more info on Jeff’s fairing plans see my Tidbits post.