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cyclewing mainThe CycleWing, a sail for your bike, is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter
If you want to make the most of your tailwind on long days in the saddle, these US Entrepreneurs may just have the thing for you... it's a sail that attaches to the rear of your bike controlled by two handlebar-mounted buttons, dubbed the CycleWing and now crowdfunding on Kickstarter to bring the working prototype into full production.
First look: Tailfin launches AeroPack rack range on Kickstarter
Attaching to almost any bike like a rear rack, the sail and mast are covered and packed when not in use (above) and when you want to boot up the sail you simply turn it on via the buttons on the handlebar-mounted head unit. The screen displays the angle that the sail is set at, and you can adjust it according to conditions. It can give you a boost from a wide range of wind directions, with about 35° to 45° on either side unable to generate any power (bad luck if you're riding into a full-on headwind).
The engineers who developed it say the CycleWing was made for long distance touring along country roads, as using it in crowded cities would have fairly obvious shortfalls.
The CycleWing is currently a working prototype and fully made in the USA, and if/when it goes into production the finished product could weigh less than 7kg if made from light materials such as carbon. They say it's arguably the greenest form of powered cycling, and to bring it to life CycleWing are looking for almost £60,000 worth of crowdfunded investment. A $500 pledge will get you one at an earlybird discount of up to 40%, with various other items offered for lower amounts. Head over to the CycleWing Kickstarter page here for more info.
Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over at eBikeTips before being named the new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled together a few hundred quid off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought his first road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadly pinched a few years later. Creatively replacing it with a Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bike around local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive his preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story.
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Definitely far more than that. In my experience about 1 in 10 on a good day, even more on a bad one.
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Since it's not on he pavement, it isn't blocking the pavement.
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20 comments
It'll never take-off.
I’d like a go on that Whike. Smaller than a full-on land yacht, but looks scary fast. They recommend a smaller sail for a Force 6!
I can’t think of too many places to use it in the UK, but crossing some continental desert plain would be cool.
Nothing new under the sun.
Been done.jpg
And, from earlier, the Charvolant, a kite propelled carriage:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pocock_(inventor)
Another solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I'm all for progress. This is not progress. At best, useful maybe 10% of the time due to not being able to use it in cities, wrong wind directions etc. At worst, a liability (how much does it weigh?) and possibly even dangerous as already cited - passing lorries, sudden gusts.
Bikes are only safe in so far as they're controllable. Better brakes, tyres, components, helmets, clothing et al are good because they add to that. This probably detracts from it. Hard pass from me.
It's so niche that surely those mostly crowdfunding it cannot be cyclists. They're probably just investors hoping it's the next big cycling fad. Even a serious tourer or round-the-world adventurer that could benefit from this would prefer to say they did it under their own steam? If not, then just get an electric bike and keep charging it up - far neater, way more aesthetically pleasing.
Crazy times- 'new' doesn't automatically equate to 'improved.'
I think I'd rather have a sail on a recumbent trike, like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whike or http://rinox.es/
Still going to be a fairly limited range of trips that it's both safe and useful.
I provide my own "tail wind"
Cycling will be plain sailing from here on out
Cycling would be pain-sailing, from there on down (to the tarmac)
Anyway, they have it all wrong. What's required is a large spinnaker; or perhaps the 'chute from a para-sailing rig. With the right design, the cyclist may take orf over obstructions such as the white van attempting a frightening-swerve, or a group of potterers on the new Isla bikes for pensioners, blocking the climb up Barbondale.
I have a sail of a similar size on my kayak, which is fun. It folds down when not in use and stows on the deck. However I’m not convinced by this bike version.
The prototype video only shows it flapping idly, not providing any propulsion. If you are running with the wind behind, then you will benefit only up to the wind speed - maybe 20km/h. To go faster you would have to be on a tighter tack, so leaning off the side of the bike to keep it upright and straight.
The sail looks like it is just a flat sheet, so it won’t ever be particularly effective. I’m out.
Wonder what will happen when a high-sided vehicle close-passes you at speed...
Come on haven't you all wet blankets never sailed? I think that should be fun. Not useful, fun!
I've sailed, and I've landsailed (on a beach, and on a disused runway), and it was fun. In neither case did I think "You know what else would be fun? Putting a sail like this on a two wheeled land vehicle that doesn't have a wide open flat space to use it in".
If a pair of Zipp 404s can push me sideways with a heavy gust of wind, what is this monstrosity going to do? What's the best way to fit a keel to a carbon frame?
More pies, lots more pies!
Or burgers if in the USA
I have to sign up for this one. This is going to be bigger then the Internet
I have to sign up for this one. This is going to be bigger then the Internet
I have to sign up for this one. This is going to be bigger then the Internet
April 1st has come early this year.
Beat me to it.