The other day, I was out exercising, and sharing the sidewalk, a rather large sidewalk on the boardwalk with bicyclists and skateboarders. It was slow moving walking against the wind, but then, I noticed folks going the other way. The skateboarders were not pushing their feet as the wind was blowing them along. The bicyclists were easily doing 25 miles per hour or more, and they were only mildly peddling. This got me thinking about some of the very interesting looking cocoon like shells which are used by bicyclists trying to break speed records. I'd like to talk about all this for second if I might.

These shells we see are usually made out of fiberglass, and they look like a giant teardrop. However, with the materials we have today there's no reason that teardrop in the rear couldn't turn into a convex cone. That is to say that if you looked at it from the rear it would look like a radar dish. If you had morphing materials which would allow that giant teardrop to change shape you would sure be able to help yourself to some free wind from the rear when the wind was blowing substantially. Better yet you wouldn't have to peddle. However fast the wind was blowing behind you is the speed you'd be able to easily maintain.

carbon mtb rim

carbon bicycle rim

carbon mountain bike rim