I guess I'm reviving the thread.
Can we just ignore for a second, the sideways force and pretend that tipping over on a 2-wheel bicycle is a non issue.
Is it at all possible, then, to have a sail on your basic 2-wheel bicycle that can go against the wind? That's the most practical reason - to go against the wind with ease.
If you have your basic mountain bike with a milk crate at the back (mine). Is it possible to steer your handlebars with 1 hand and have a sail attached at the back with a handle of sorts to steer the sail with the other hand? Any time that wind is annoying for me, it's a constant wind. Wind gusts from 0-30 MPH don't really happen... it's usually a constant amount that I'd like to go against.
- What would the sail look like/weigh if at the back of a bike?
- Is it even possible to go completely straight? I thought I read that sailboats that go against the wind have to go on an angle and then shift their sails to go on an angle the opposite way. If a 2-wheel bike can't go straight then this whole idea is moot.