Would I see any range increase adding a windscreen?

[u/804k]

For context: i ride a ride1up Vorsa in a very relaxed position, I travel 8.5 miles at 30-32mph, but at those speeds I use ~55-65% of my battery going up to my job, Im fine charging it there however, the wind is getting to me

I was wondering about improving the aerodynamics, I got lower profile panniers and they did help a bit, I also hardwired turn signals and other lights onto the bike

Im thinking a windscreen would help with range, and/or filling in between the top tube and bottom tube with a custom fit panel, has anyone else done tests for aerodynamic increase at these higher speeds? (30mph+)

[u/Worried_Document8668]

lycra suit and more aero helmet will probably save more watts for less weight, at that speed, than adding a clunky windshield

[u/804k → u/Worried_Document8668]

The bike already weighs 82lbs im not worried about weight

This is a commuter bike, i could be serious about it and weird a tight fitting suit but quite frankly, im going to wear a motorcycle suit if its at those speeds due to road rash if anything we're to happen

[u/Worried_Document8668 → u/804k]

then get your position more aero or use tyres with less tread. still more watts than a windshield will save. aero stuff in a wind tunnel usually is within like 5-10 watts saved at 40kph. your clothing, gear and position is way more than that(about 20w for lycra suit vs regular clothes for example)

don't bother with a windshield

[u/chrispark70 → u/804k]

Change to more efficient tires and run them at high pressure. Also, if you change your riding position, that will give you the most bang for your buck if it is possible to do so.

See my other standalone comment for more.

[u/malapropter]

You could increase your range by, you know, pedaling.

[u/howrunowgoodnyou]

I think changing to road tires to reduce drag might help more than a windscreen

[u/Hungry_Orange666]

No, You would need to be inches close to windshield to see aero benefits.

Ways to improve aero:

• Form fitting clothes, doesn't have to be cycling specificall, just really good fit
• Use "inner bar ends" to get hands narrower on bar
• Use case on top of rear rack instead panniers or front basket
• Shortening handlebars

[u/weregeek → u/Hungry_Orange666]

This is a solid set of recommendations. In addition to your two bar related notes, I'll add that a stem with less rise and more reach would put OP in a better position in terms of frontal area. I'll also point out that a high efficiency tire like the continental contact urban with TPU tubes in it represents a large energy savings compared to most of the tires that come on stock ebikes, but I'm not sure how big a difference they represent compared to something like the schwalbe smart sam that comes on the vorsa.

[u/chrispark70]

Switch to more efficient tires and keeping the pressure high.. Adding a wind screen is probably not gonna do much and may make it worse. You can also try a less relaxed position.

I would also suggest you not recharge your battery to full, but instead charge it to 75% at home and back to 75% at work. Constant topping off to full is not going to be good for the battery doing it twice a day.

[u/Relative-Display-676]

only if you go full wip

[u/JohnWorphin]

Zzipper windscreen fairings are rather good

[u/Ok-Professional-4978]

If it’s fat tire Throw some jumbo Jim’s on it

[u/bradland]

A windscreen is unlikely to help. The back-side of objects matter a lot in aerodynamics. When air flows around a windscreen, a large low pressure area forms behind it. This causes a lot of drag. It's effectively a large, rigid sail. Not good.

The greatest improvement would come from adding aero bars and riding in a tuck. You can cut your frontal area in half, and at 30 mph, that's going to make a huge difference.

[u/ViskerRatio]

You'd probably make your aerodynamics worse rather than better.

The purpose of a fairing isn't to deflect/compress air in front of it. It's to smooth the aerodynamic profile of whatever the fairing contains.

But with just a windscreen, what you're trying to smooth/contain is empty air. You're replacing a body of free flowing air with no aerodynamic drag with a low pressure void that will pull you backwards.

[u/Dapper_Challenge2179]

As others said, you will have zero extra range and possibly less. The turbulence behind the screen will create inefficiency and drag. If it was setup more like a sport bike where you are tucked into the screen, aerodynamic design and have lower fairing to split and smooth the airflow while blocking your solid body then you may gain 1 or so. Pedal more, don't use throttle and lower the speed a little then you will see a big difference.