Make bikes on roof rack more aero?
06-27-19, 02:27 PM
#27
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If the goal is just to keep rain and wind out of the controls, that would probably work great. If the goal is drag reduction, you have to think this through in order to make it good. What do you suppose has more drag: a bike, or a bike plus a sail? Blocking wind from the front of your bike is easy, closing the wake behind you is hard and that's what reduces drag. That's why really aerodynamic vehicles have long tails. Motorcycles get great mileage in the city but they don't beat a Prius on the highway. The fairing just keeps the wind off the rider, the wake closes in a big buffeting suction zone behind him. There are valid reasons to tolerate this instead of fix it, especially convenience, rider mobility, and crosswind stability.
The effects of this can be weird. Carrying a 17ft aluminum canoe on my roof rack had less effect on the car than bikes or snowboards.
The effects of this can be weird. Carrying a 17ft aluminum canoe on my roof rack had less effect on the car than bikes or snowboards.
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06-27-19, 02:38 PM
#28
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My hitch rack makes me nervous the way it bounces around with 5 mtb on it, I can see it and hear it. My brother has a hitch rack on the back of his RV, I can't believe how flimsy the connection is, but there's no way he can hear or see what it's doing when he's driving, so I guess out of sight out of mind. I should try driving behind him with bikes some time, see what it looks like. (like 1/4 mile behind him)
06-28-19, 02:29 PM
#29
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Put your bike inside the car!
Zero drag. And much safer that way. If you use a bike rack, and the bike slips off the rack, it could cause a massive accident on the freeway. And you'll be liable for all the damages. Think...a Mercedes runs over your bike and swerved into a Tesla, boths car are totalled...does your insurance cover that much damage.
Take the wheels off, stuff it in the trunk or the back seat.
Or buy a folder bike.
Zero drag. And much safer that way. If you use a bike rack, and the bike slips off the rack, it could cause a massive accident on the freeway. And you'll be liable for all the damages. Think...a Mercedes runs over your bike and swerved into a Tesla, boths car are totalled...does your insurance cover that much damage.
Take the wheels off, stuff it in the trunk or the back seat.
Or buy a folder bike.
I've seen people pull out the rear 4 seats on a Mazda 5 to fit bicycles, but it's an intensive operation as the seats aren't meant to come out.
A full size folder bike is exactly what work OK just laying down the rear 4 seats. 2 people, 2 bikes, maybe some luggage.
06-28-19, 02:48 PM
#30
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Make the other cyclists sit in the car.
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07-06-19, 02:10 PM
#31
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4 sheets of coroplast, cutouts for the handlebars, curved sides and zip-tied front and back for a boat shape or teardrop shape if you want to get fancy. Around the bikes of course.
07-07-19, 10:03 AM
#32
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The OP has a Mazda 5. I have a Mazda 5. It's a minivan, but it's not an American sized minivan.
I've seen people pull out the rear 4 seats on a Mazda 5 to fit bicycles, but it's an intensive operation as the seats aren't meant to come out.
A full size folder bike is exactly what work OK just laying down the rear 4 seats. 2 people, 2 bikes, maybe some luggage.
I've seen people pull out the rear 4 seats on a Mazda 5 to fit bicycles, but it's an intensive operation as the seats aren't meant to come out.
A full size folder bike is exactly what work OK just laying down the rear 4 seats. 2 people, 2 bikes, maybe some luggage.
Memories that last forever; cost of the extra gas for hauling the bikes without aerodynamic concerns at normal speed on the German, Belgian, Dutch highways - pshaw!
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