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Main
Date: 09 Oct 2006 19:54:02
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Air Speed Indication
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Because it seem all rides are both uphill and against the wind,
there have been various wind speed indicators available for cyclists.
I bought a Davis Instruments WindScribe http://tinyurl.com/l3wpe
for just that purpose and mentioned in a response to another post my
curiosity about the weather worthiness of that unit.
The total absence of responses prompted me to email tech support at the
company from whom I got a prompt reply reassuring me that not only is
the unit weather proof, it will even float.
I'm guessing that if during a rain and water droplets accumulate within
the ultrasonic sensing tube, you might have to shake or blow it out to
regain measurement accuracy.
--
Bart
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Date: 10 Oct 2006 02:30:33
From: Rik O'Shea
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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> >
> >Chip F.
>
> I had one once, was a hand held,
> is there a way to affix one of them to the handlebars
> to allow both hands on the grips and still see the readout LCD?
>
> --
>
> Bart
As an interim measure why dont you just try taping it to the handle
bars to see what results you get. However I am skeptical that it will
measure air velocity (the vector sum of your ground speed and wind
speed) correctly. This is due to flow stagnation as the air slows down
in front of an object. You would really need to attach something like a
long stick to your bike and put the wind measuring device on the end of
that.
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Date: 10 Oct 2006 19:02:31
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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In Message-ID:<1160472633.015333.257590@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com >
posted on 10 Oct 2006 02:30:33 -0700, Rik O'Shea wrote: Begin
>
>> >
>> >Chip F.
>>
>> I had one once, was a hand held,
>> is there a way to affix one of them to the handlebars
>> to allow both hands on the grips and still see the readout LCD?
>>
>> --
>>
>> Bart
>
>As an interim measure why dont you just try taping it to the handle
>bars to see what results you get. However I am skeptical that it will
>measure air velocity (the vector sum of your ground speed and wind
>speed) correctly. This is due to flow stagnation as the air slows down
>in front of an object. You would really need to attach something like a
>long stick to your bike and put the wind measuring device on the end of
>that.
As my riding is more of a pleasure quest than a scientific endeavor,
there's really no need for such elaborate contraptions.
Looking at the numbers is satisfying enough,
with the difference between the two speed indicators
(ground & air) confirming the apparent extra effort required.
--
Bart
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Date: 10 Oct 2006 15:14:55
From: Grunty Goragan
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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You would really need to attach something like a
>>long stick to your bike and put the wind measuring device on the end of
>>that.
>
>As my riding is more of a pleasure quest than a scientific endeavor,
>there's really no need for such elaborate contraptions.
>Looking at the numbers is satisfying enough,
>with the difference between the two speed indicators
>(ground & air) confirming the apparent extra effort required.
The only value I have seen for Airspeed indication of a bicycle is I
have noticed horseflies can briefly sprint to about 8 MPH. Below
this, they can catch and bite you.
For weight-saving, perhaps a little flap-operated microswitch set to
a specific angle of attack could make a tiny piezo Stall Warning
Buzzer go off at 7 MPH...
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Date: 10 Oct 2006 19:56:41
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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In Message-ID:<71sni2lo95fogv27f0d6ff8pbrfid51hnn@4ax.com > posted on
Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:14:55 -0400, Grunty Goragan wrote: Begin
> You would really need to attach something like a
>>>long stick to your bike and put the wind measuring device on the end of
>>>that.
>>
>>As my riding is more of a pleasure quest than a scientific endeavor,
>>there's really no need for such elaborate contraptions.
>>Looking at the numbers is satisfying enough,
>>with the difference between the two speed indicators
>>(ground & air) confirming the apparent extra effort required.
>
>The only value I have seen for Airspeed indication of a bicycle is I
>have noticed horseflies can briefly sprint to about 8 MPH. Below
>this, they can catch and bite you.
>For weight-saving, perhaps a little flap-operated microswitch set to
>a specific angle of attack could make a tiny piezo Stall Warning
>Buzzer go off at 7 MPH...
There's also a GPSMAP 76CS giving a third number to the mix of speed
approximations, none of which are absolutely accurate.
The wheel rotation counter is probably the most accurate,
but the internal reference clock could be off as well as the wheel
circumference after road warming.
Like I tried to say up front, my riding is for pleasure, and a few tech
gadgets only serve to enhance the novelty of that experience for an old
retired scientist.
--
Bart
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Date: 09 Oct 2006 13:50:39
From: Buck
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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Bart Bailey wrote:
> I had one once, was a hand held,
> is there a way to affix one of them to the handlebars
> to allow both hands on the grips and still see the readout LCD?
The Kestrel unit I have comes with a base that has a standard nut for
attaching it to a tripod. I use it with a standard tripod to set up a
miniature weather station at study sites. There are plenty of handlebar
mounts that have a standard tripod mount.
That being said, I doubt I would ever mount it there. The instrument
would stick up 8 inches or so. Below is a link to a Kestrel in its
mount attached to a mini tripod.
http://www.ambientweather.com/kepotr.html
Just imagine that standing up from your handlebar! Perhaps if you had a
secondary accessory bar that provided space further away from the
handlebar, it would be tolerable. For me, the additional data just
isn't worth the additional hassle.
-Buck
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Date: 09 Oct 2006 21:28:53
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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In Message-ID:<1160427039.330651.304640@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com >
posted on 9 Oct 2006 13:50:39 -0700, Buck wrote: Begin
>Just imagine that standing up from your handlebar! Perhaps if you had a
>secondary accessory bar that provided space further away from the
>handlebar, it would be tolerable. For me, the additional data just
>isn't worth the additional hassle.
I initially got the WindScribe because its readout is topside and the
whole thing is low profile, the weatherproofing question came up later
and hasn't yet been an issue. It's like the terrestrial (wheel sensor)
speedometer/computer, just another curiosity to distract attention from
the road, for an old pleasure class geezer, who always wears his helmet.
--
Bart
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Date: 09 Oct 2006 15:42:11
From: G.T.
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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"Bart Bailey" <me2@privacy.net > wrote in message
news:452abdb5.8055883@bart.spawar.mil...
> In Message-ID:<1160427039.330651.304640@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>
> posted on 9 Oct 2006 13:50:39 -0700, Buck wrote: Begin
>
> >Just imagine that standing up from your handlebar! Perhaps if you had a
> >secondary accessory bar that provided space further away from the
> >handlebar, it would be tolerable. For me, the additional data just
> >isn't worth the additional hassle.
>
> I initially got the WindScribe because its readout is topside and the
> whole thing is low profile, the weatherproofing question came up later
> and hasn't yet been an issue. It's like the terrestrial (wheel sensor)
> speedometer/computer, just another curiosity to distract attention from
> the road, for an old pleasure class geezer, who always wears his helmet.
If pleasure is your goal why wear a helmet? Oh, yeah, always carry a
plastic baggie with you, if it starts to rain put the baggie on the
distraction.
Greg
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Date: 10 Oct 2006 03:18:48
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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In Message-ID:<12ilk2vpg2fk083@corp.supernews.com > posted on Mon, 9 Oct
2006 15:42:11 -0700, G.T. wrote: Begin
>If pleasure is your goal why wear a helmet?
So I might survive some unexpected event
to reap more pleasure from the future.
It's one of those plastic covered styrofoam jobs
that weighs very little, hardly know I have it on.
--
Bart
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Date: 10 Oct 2006 14:46:10
From: Ludmila Borgschatz-Thudpucker, MD
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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"Bart Bailey" <me2@privacy.net > wrote in message
news:452b1002.2013194@bart.spawar.mil...
> In Message-ID:<12ilk2vpg2fk083@corp.supernews.com> posted on Mon, 9 Oct
> 2006 15:42:11 -0700, G.T. wrote: Begin
>
>>If pleasure is your goal why wear a helmet?
>
> So I might survive some unexpected event
> to reap more pleasure from the future.
> It's one of those plastic covered styrofoam jobs
> that weighs very little, hardly know I have it on.
It's a Magic Foam Hat(TM). Frank and the Frankazoids will bash you. No
pleasure for you!!!
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Date: 10 Oct 2006 19:02:31
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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In Message-ID:<SmOWg.9680$o71.1595@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net >
posted on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:46:10 GMT, Ludmila Borgschatz-Thudpucker,
MD wrote: Begin
>
>"Bart Bailey" <me2@privacy.net> wrote in message
>news:452b1002.2013194@bart.spawar.mil...
>> In Message-ID:<12ilk2vpg2fk083@corp.supernews.com> posted on Mon, 9 Oct
>> 2006 15:42:11 -0700, G.T. wrote: Begin
>>
>>>If pleasure is your goal why wear a helmet?
>>
>> So I might survive some unexpected event
>> to reap more pleasure from the future.
>> It's one of those plastic covered styrofoam jobs
>> that weighs very little, hardly know I have it on.
>
>It's a Magic Foam Hat(TM). Frank and the Frankazoids will bash you. No
>pleasure for you!!!
>
Even still, with that ethereal shell,
they'll have to bash a bit harder than without it. ;-)
--
Bart
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Date: 09 Oct 2006 13:28:36
From: chipsoars
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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Bart Bailey wrote:
> In Message-ID:<452da672.2100610@bart.spawar.mil> posted on Mon, 09 Oct
> 2006 19:54:02 GMT, Bart Bailey wrote: Begin
>
> >Because it seem all rides are both uphill and against the wind,
> >there have been various wind speed indicators available for cyclists.
> >I bought a Davis Instruments WindScribe http://tinyurl.com/l3wpe
> >for just that purpose and mentioned in a response to another post my
> >curiosity about the weather worthiness of that unit.
> >The total absence of responses prompted me to email tech support at the
> >company from whom I got a prompt reply reassuring me that not only is
> >the unit weather proof, it will even float.
> >I'm guessing that if during a rain and water droplets accumulate within
> >the ultrasonic sensing tube, you might have to shake or blow it out to
> >regain measurement accuracy.
>
> Piggy backing myself:
>
> I just got another email from a different company representative
> regarding the WindScribe stating:
> "If it gets a few drops on it that is fine, but if it gets soaked that
> is not good. It is not Water Proof."
> I don't plan to be out in a soaking rain, at least not here in San
> Diego, but it's something to think about for riders in other areas.
>
> --
>
> Bart
If you want a really good all weather instrument, try a Kestrel.
Waterproof and floats as the Nielsen-Kellerman folks originally made
these for boating. Google Kestrel Wind Meters.
Chip F.
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Date: 09 Oct 2006 20:37:57
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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In Message-ID:<1160425716.694306.82790@c28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com >
posted on 9 Oct 2006 13:28:36 -0700, chipsoars wrote: Begin
>
>Bart Bailey wrote:
>> In Message-ID:<452da672.2100610@bart.spawar.mil> posted on Mon, 09 Oct
>> 2006 19:54:02 GMT, Bart Bailey wrote: Begin
>>
>> >Because it seem all rides are both uphill and against the wind,
>> >there have been various wind speed indicators available for cyclists.
>> >I bought a Davis Instruments WindScribe http://tinyurl.com/l3wpe
>> >for just that purpose and mentioned in a response to another post my
>> >curiosity about the weather worthiness of that unit.
>> >The total absence of responses prompted me to email tech support at the
>> >company from whom I got a prompt reply reassuring me that not only is
>> >the unit weather proof, it will even float.
>> >I'm guessing that if during a rain and water droplets accumulate within
>> >the ultrasonic sensing tube, you might have to shake or blow it out to
>> >regain measurement accuracy.
>>
>> Piggy backing myself:
>>
>> I just got another email from a different company representative
>> regarding the WindScribe stating:
>> "If it gets a few drops on it that is fine, but if it gets soaked that
>> is not good. It is not Water Proof."
>> I don't plan to be out in a soaking rain, at least not here in San
>> Diego, but it's something to think about for riders in other areas.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Bart
>
>If you want a really good all weather instrument, try a Kestrel.
>Waterproof and floats as the Nielsen-Kellerman folks originally made
>these for boating. Google Kestrel Wind Meters.
>
>Chip F.
I had one once, was a hand held,
is there a way to affix one of them to the handlebars
to allow both hands on the grips and still see the readout LCD?
--
Bart
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Date: 09 Oct 2006 20:06:24
From: Bart Bailey
Subject: Re: Air Speed Indication
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In Message-ID:<452da672.2100610@bart.spawar.mil > posted on Mon, 09 Oct
2006 19:54:02 GMT, Bart Bailey wrote: Begin
>Because it seem all rides are both uphill and against the wind,
>there have been various wind speed indicators available for cyclists.
>I bought a Davis Instruments WindScribe http://tinyurl.com/l3wpe
>for just that purpose and mentioned in a response to another post my
>curiosity about the weather worthiness of that unit.
>The total absence of responses prompted me to email tech support at the
>company from whom I got a prompt reply reassuring me that not only is
>the unit weather proof, it will even float.
>I'm guessing that if during a rain and water droplets accumulate within
>the ultrasonic sensing tube, you might have to shake or blow it out to
>regain measurement accuracy.
Piggy backing myself:
I just got another email from a different company representative
regarding the WindScribe stating:
"If it gets a few drops on it that is fine, but if it gets soaked that
is not good. It is not Water Proof."
I don't plan to be out in a soaking rain, at least not here in San
Diego, but it's something to think about for riders in other areas.
--
Bart
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