LEAFXPRO: A bicycle rain hood for the school commute
January 28, 2015
LEAFXPRO is a bicycle rain hood designed to get the kids to school by bike when the heavens open.
Frustrated at how often bad weather meant they left their bikes at home in favour of polluting transport, the Leafxpro’s development team drew inspiration from nature to create a leaf-like protective film.
The aerodynamic performance of the wedge-shaped nose and air vents at the front, side and rear has been tested successfully in wind speeds of 80 kph. Although not a typical school run, the film below shows the rain hood tested to the limits.
The LEAFXPRO bicycle rain hood kits fit a variety of different bikes and take one minute to fit or remove. When not is use, the rain hood packs away into a small bag.
Best of the rest
Once in a while we cyclists get wet. It doesn’t happen as often as you’d think, but this doesn’t stop designers coming up with imaginative – if not always effective – ways of keeping us dry. Our rain gear hall of fame includes all manner of jackets, capes, ponchos and leg protectors. Modern waterproof fabrics do a good job of keeping you dry while allowing your skin to breath, but the low-tech and cheaper alternative is to make the most of the fact that you yourself are waterproof and embrace the occasional soaking – just don’t forget to carry a change of clothes.
The Uberhood is an elongated umbrella that mounts to bicycle handlebars and is intended to protect the rider from sun and rain.
The bicycle rain hood makers claim that the aerodynamic shape means wind resistance is low, but the obvious drawback with such designs is the way they catch the wind from underneath and allow rain to reach the rider from the front.
| Rain gear hall of fame | ... |
|---|---|
| NubrellaThe Nubrella costs £40 and uses a patented shoulder strap to allow it to be used hands-free. It bears a passing resemblance to the helmet worn by the character Buzz Lightyear in the animated film, Toy Story. |  |
| Wearable tentThis new design of poncho/tent hybrid may look eccentric, but it is aimed at the many walkers and cycle campers who need waterproof clothing and a tent, but have to keep to a minimum the weight and volume of equipment they carry |  |
| Inflatable canopyItalian designer Moshen Saleh has come up with a canopy for bicycles that inflates when it rains. The idea is that for day-to-day the roof is stowed in a handlebar-mounted binnacle. When it rains the canopy is inflated; a framework of air-filled ribs ensuring it keeps its shape |  |
| Umbrella coatby Athanasia Leivaditou |  |
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Information correct at time of publication.
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