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#1
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
There have been several threads on the new Calfee carbon fairing for
GRR-type bikes (ultimately for Calfee's as-yet unavailable Stiletto). The big concern seems to have been that having made the thing black will lead to poor straight-ahead visibility, accidents, end of life as we know it, etc. I haven't followed the threads all the way thru, but I'm not sure if it has been posted that they have a "double bubble" model which is carbon with a smaller inset Lexan bit at the top thru which you can see. Lexan part comes in red, blue,clear or "smoke." The pure carbon is available now for $499, the double bubble will be selling in a couple of weeks for $625. Advantages are meant to be weight (pure carbon 15 oz versus 2.5 lb for the heavy super zzipper that you need for a body sock; double bubble about 1.5 lb due to extra hardware to accommodate the "bubble.") Also, both models eliminate the "growling" road noise that you get with the Lexan. And, of course, the cool factor. You can see both (sort of) at: www.ffmcycling.com The blue paint on the double bubble seen on the website will not be there on the final production version. The above info is from Fast Freddy, whom I spoke with just now about these. Also, he says he has used a carbon fairing for about 5 yrs, and estimates it will last 3X longer than the Lexan, but of course YMMV. I don't sell any of this stuff, work for Calfee, etc., etc. But a more durable and quieter fairing sounds appealing. I think it's $379 for the heavy Super Zzipper, so not a huge price differential, though certainly not cheap. Nathan |
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#2
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
I smell a Trap here with my name on it and Fast Freddy and the guy in
Minnesota just waiting for me to put my foot in it....soooo tempting. IF anyone buys this fairing and uses it on a LWB or CLWB...I'd love to hear about how it works out...in particular for seeing what is close and in front of you...like a small dog or a kid running into your path from the right side.....like from between parked cars. Ain't going to attack the fairing till I see how it works...not making THAT mistake again. ----------------------------------------------------- "Nathan Congdon" wrote in message om... There have been several threads on the new Calfee carbon fairing for GRR-type bikes (ultimately for Calfee's as-yet unavailable Stiletto). The big concern seems to have been that having made the thing black will lead to poor straight-ahead visibility, accidents, end of life as we know it, etc. I haven't followed the threads all the way thru, but I'm not sure if it has been posted that they have a "double bubble" model which is carbon with a smaller inset Lexan bit at the top thru which you can see. Lexan part comes in red, blue,clear or "smoke." The pure carbon is available now for $499, the double bubble will be selling in a couple of weeks for $625. Advantages are meant to be weight (pure carbon 15 oz versus 2.5 lb for the heavy super zzipper that you need for a body sock; double bubble about 1.5 lb due to extra hardware to accommodate the "bubble.") Also, both models eliminate the "growling" road noise that you get with the Lexan. And, of course, the cool factor. You can see both (sort of) at: www.ffmcycling.com The blue paint on the double bubble seen on the website will not be there on the final production version. The above info is from Fast Freddy, whom I spoke with just now about these. Also, he says he has used a carbon fairing for about 5 yrs, and estimates it will last 3X longer than the Lexan, but of course YMMV. I don't sell any of this stuff, work for Calfee, etc., etc. But a more durable and quieter fairing sounds appealing. I think it's $379 for the heavy Super Zzipper, so not a huge price differential, though certainly not cheap. Nathan |
#3
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
"Nathan Congdon" skrev The big concern seems to have been that having made the thing black will lead to poor straight-ahead visibility, accidents, end of life as we know it, etc. Nah, it wont. As we tried to explain to Joshua you're supposed to look over it anyway. I ride my TE-clone with a similar setup. As in not seethrough and with a clear windscreen. For all I care the whole thing could be nontransparent cause I look over and never through it. http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/briangoebbels (in "Recumbents"-folder) I haven't followed the threads all the way thru, but I'm not sure if it has been posted that they have a "double bubble" model which is carbon with a smaller inset Lexan bit at the top thru which you can see. Lexan part comes in red, blue,clear or "smoke." The pure carbon is available now for $499, the double bubble will be selling in a couple of weeks for $625. Advantages are meant to be weight (pure carbon 15 oz versus 2.5 lb for the heavy super zzipper that you need for a body sock; double bubble about 1.5 lb due to extra hardware to accommodate the "bubble.") Also, both models eliminate the "growling" road noise that you get with the Lexan. And, of course, the cool factor. Its a beaut if you ask me. Mikael |
#4
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
"Joshua Goldberg" wrote:
Ain't going to attack the fairing till I see how it works...not making THAT mistake again. Wow! He *IS* trainable!! :-) |
#5
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
M.S.S.
It is not the area on top that bothered me, it is the area near the BB. to look down and see what is 5 feet ahead. I can see how it is not a problem to look over the top edge at what is ahead, but what if you need to look down at a dog or kid...could you see it? *********************************** "Mikael Seierup" wrote in message ... "Nathan Congdon" skrev The big concern seems to have been that having made the thing black will lead to poor straight-ahead visibility, accidents, end of life as we know it, etc. Nah, it wont. As we tried to explain to Joshua you're supposed to look over it anyway. I ride my TE-clone with a similar setup. As in not seethrough and with a clear windscreen. For all I care the whole thing could be nontransparent cause I look over and never through it. http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/briangoebbels (in "Recumbents"-folder) I haven't followed the threads all the way thru, but I'm not sure if it has been posted that they have a "double bubble" model which is carbon with a smaller inset Lexan bit at the top thru which you can see. Lexan part comes in red, blue,clear or "smoke." The pure carbon is available now for $499, the double bubble will be selling in a couple of weeks for $625. Advantages are meant to be weight (pure carbon 15 oz versus 2.5 lb for the heavy super zzipper that you need for a body sock; double bubble about 1.5 lb due to extra hardware to accommodate the "bubble.") Also, both models eliminate the "growling" road noise that you get with the Lexan. And, of course, the cool factor. Its a beaut if you ask me. Mikael |
#6
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
"DrJoel" wrote in message ... I can see where the solid color would be a dangerous thing. I know with my clear fairing there are times when the sun hits at a certain angle and it is impossible to see in front of the bike. But I can see down to the area in front of the bike where the holes and other dangers lurk and prevent a flat or worse. I would say the jury is out until we get some test riders out there. There are hundreds of Easy Racer riders who routinely uise a bodysock. That set-up precludes any visibility through the fairing. In my hundreds of socked miles, I have yet to encounter a situation made dangerous because I could not see through the fairing. A properly installed fairing on a LWB bike will be set for visibility over the top, not through it. Tom Thompson Tour Easy Tidal Wave. |
#7
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
I would still prefer to hear from some buyers. I maybe in the market for a
fairing myself and a CF sounds kinda nice...cutting the weight with Carbon Fiber will mean I won't have to keep saying no to all my favorite pastries...nah who am I kidding here, there has never been a pastry I said no to. **************************************** "Tom Thompson" wrote in message ... "DrJoel" wrote in message ... I can see where the solid color would be a dangerous thing. I know with my clear fairing there are times when the sun hits at a certain angle and it is impossible to see in front of the bike. But I can see down to the area in front of the bike where the holes and other dangers lurk and prevent a flat or worse. I would say the jury is out until we get some test riders out there. There are hundreds of Easy Racer riders who routinely uise a bodysock. That set-up precludes any visibility through the fairing. In my hundreds of socked miles, I have yet to encounter a situation made dangerous because I could not see through the fairing. A properly installed fairing on a LWB bike will be set for visibility over the top, not through it. Tom Thompson Tour Easy Tidal Wave. |
#8
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
"Tom Thompson" wrote:
I am waiting for a fairing made from pure carbon with the atoms arranged in a tetrahedral lattice. Buckyballs? A Buckyball fairing would probably cost more than Tom's diamond fairing! |
#9
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
Gabriel
Guess you and Fast Freddy ain't communicating too often. He and I kissed and made up months ago. My periodic references to Fast Freddy are done in jest...I figure he knows that to be the case. As for the fairing...if it works I'll seriously consider buying one with the $1,000. from you know who. I have had a Windwrap fairing on a LWB and I coated it in Mylar Film. The kind people use on Van windows they can see out/you can't see in. Looked really cool having a Silver Mirror Fairing, blinded the crap out of car drivers using their Hi-Beams and no I didn't do it for that reason. I did it to prevent gravel dinging the Lexan...much more cost effective to peel off $30.00 of Mylar, than to replace the fairing every 6 months. Anyway one of the downsides to the Mirrored Mylar was it greatly reduced my ability to see where the f**k I was going and I ride with prescirption sunglasses on...making a bad situation worse. I was riding and my 20 inch front wheel went into an open sewer grate...which I did not see fast enough BECAUSE my lower section of the fairing was NOT Clear. I was okay but the Stratus and Fairing was toast. As I said, I want to read some ride reports from people who buy and ride with the CF Fairing. I am NOT attacking the design and I still hope everything works out well for Fast Freddy. As for you.....well what can I say Gabriel beyond "Get over it", Freddy and I did along time ago. ************************************************** ********************** "Gabriel DeVault" wrote in message news "Ain't going to attack the fairing till I see how it works...not making THAT mistake again." Gee, that's a novel concept, don't kock it 'till you try it, sounds familiar. I think it's rediculous to make any blanket statements regarding safety, visabilty, etc... about a carbon fairing. It's going to be set up differently on almost every bike. Sitting on a M/L Gold Rush with a body sock installed I can see the ground approximately 5 feet directly in front of the bike, and of course to the sides even closer. There is no way a kid or dog could just appear in the "very small" blindspot. There are many other bikes with bigger "blind spots", like a faired F-40 even some low racers, and I have never once heard any complaints about visability. Making mountains out of mole-hills as far as I see it. What is your beef with Freddy anyways? Anytime his name is mentioned you have to chime in with some negative comment. Get over it. "Joshua Goldberg" wrote in message .. . I smell a Trap here with my name on it and Fast Freddy and the guy in Minnesota just waiting for me to put my foot in it....soooo tempting. IF anyone buys this fairing and uses it on a LWB or CLWB...I'd love to hear about how it works out...in particular for seeing what is close and in front of you...like a small dog or a kid running into your path from the right side.....like from between parked cars. Ain't going to attack the fairing till I see how it works...not making THAT mistake again. ----------------------------------------------------- "Nathan Congdon" wrote in message om... There have been several threads on the new Calfee carbon fairing for GRR-type bikes (ultimately for Calfee's as-yet unavailable Stiletto). The big concern seems to have been that having made the thing black will lead to poor straight-ahead visibility, accidents, end of life as we know it, etc. I haven't followed the threads all the way thru, but I'm not sure if it has been posted that they have a "double bubble" model which is carbon with a smaller inset Lexan bit at the top thru which you can see. Lexan part comes in red, blue,clear or "smoke." The pure carbon is available now for $499, the double bubble will be selling in a couple of weeks for $625. Advantages are meant to be weight (pure carbon 15 oz versus 2.5 lb for the heavy super zzipper that you need for a body sock; double bubble about 1.5 lb due to extra hardware to accommodate the "bubble.") Also, both models eliminate the "growling" road noise that you get with the Lexan. And, of course, the cool factor. You can see both (sort of) at: www.ffmcycling.com The blue paint on the double bubble seen on the website will not be there on the final production version. The above info is from Fast Freddy, whom I spoke with just now about these. Also, he says he has used a carbon fairing for about 5 yrs, and estimates it will last 3X longer than the Lexan, but of course YMMV. I don't sell any of this stuff, work for Calfee, etc., etc. But a more durable and quieter fairing sounds appealing. I think it's $379 for the heavy Super Zzipper, so not a huge price differential, though certainly not cheap. Nathan |
#10
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New carbon fairing for GRR-type LWB
"Joshua Goldberg" wrote in message ...
M.S.S. It is not the area on top that bothered me, it is the area near the BB. to look down and see what is 5 feet ahead. I can see how it is not a problem to look over the top edge at what is ahead, but what if you need to look down at a dog or kid...could you see it? Unless the dog or kid pops out of a manhole, you'll see it approaching from the side long before it's 5 feet in front of you. If something popped out from the side 5 feet in front of you, you wouldn't have time to react, opaque fairing or not. Human reaction times are in the range of 1 to 2 seconds- which means that you'd run over the object/animal/person before you could react. A good rider will be looking far enough ahead to allow himself time to react- it's just plain silly to look at the road as it passes under your wheels. Jeff |
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