Hi All!
Among the Ideas that Come 'Round Periodically, here is the return of the all-weather cycling cover, this time called the LeafXPro -- "umbrella for your bike".
See:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1514910736/leafxpro-umbrella-leaf-for-your-bikehttp://leafxpro.com/http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/01/26/leafxpro-bicycle-umbrella-leaves-you-dry-and-protected/I "leaf" <groan> it to you as to "weather" <not another!> this is a good idea or not, but it surely would be nice to stay dry in wet and blustery conditions, and people are willing to pay for the privilege. My Dutch former touring partner just spent €6350 for a velomobile with this same goal in mind. He's having mixed results, sweating like mad inside at near 0°C temps while wearing only a t-shirt and shorts...while his exposed head freezes and catches the splashes of passing trucks in a balaclava and helmet.
The videos show a lot of effort has gone into the LeafXPro, and it deploys and stows amazingly quickly, though I do see a number of drawbacks. One drawing showing the lower support mount on the traveling lowers of a sus-fork seems a Not Good idea, nor does having plastic tight against one's back, but this is the first version I've seen of the all-weather cover that holds its shape so rigidly while under power.
Best,
Dan. (...who would like to try one in a rainy-windy gale)
