Lightning Riders

I recently purchased and installed a Mueller GX fairing on my P-38. Mueller makes 2 models which are P-38 compatible- XT and GX : http://www.mueller-hp.com/ezsport.htm. The XT is designed for high racers like the Bachetta, but since it is mounted to the front dérailleur mast, the XT will mount nicely on the P-38. The GX is a full fairing designed to be mounted on any bike or trike with a extended boom style bottom bracket. The XT and mounting hardware costs about $250 and weighs around 2 pounds, while the GX and hardware costs $550, and weighs in at around 4 pounds. Mark Mueller told me that you would get the same aerodynamic benefit with the XT as with the GX. But the XT wind shadow mostly protects your feet and legs; while the full size GX protects your upper body and hands as well. Since I was primarily concerned with extending my NY riding season into the late fall and winter, I opted for the GX with the standard mounting hardware.
The standard GX hardware has 2 components – a vertical T-bar which is clamped to the BB boom tube; and a lower extension bar, which is clamped to the BB shell. Both bars telescope and are clamped with a pair of plastic protected hose clamps. Mueller also offers a one-point mounting system for bikes with incompatible BB shells. The one point system however, is a bit heavier and harder to install and adjust.
Installation
The Mueller installation instructions are very clear (you can download them from his website), and involve clamping the T-bar and extension bars to the boom tube and BB shell respectively, with pairs of hose clamps. Tightening the hose clamps can be tedious; but an electric screw driver can make this task very easy. The flexible Lexan fairing is attached to the T-bar and extension with 4 rubber expansion finger bolts. The fairing can be attached or removed from the hardware without tools, in less than a minute. I'm not a big fan of hose clamps – but as Joel D. pointed out in an earlier posting; they are inexpensive, light weight, and effective. Oh well.
The T-bar can be moved back and forth on the boom tube; and extended up and down. The BB extension can be rotated on the BB shell and extended or shortened. The system is very adjustable. Mueller advises you to adjust the fairing to meet the following :
1 Adequate clearance for your feet (in my case size 46!).
2. As close to your body as possible.
3. Low enough so that you can easily look over the fairing.
4. Avoiding extreme bending of the Lexan.
I also was concerned about the T-bar interfering with my handlebars and steering.
As a first approximation, I installed the T-bar as far forward and as low as possible. I also removed my Lightning mirror and replaced it with a low profile Zefal mirror ( more on the Zefal in another review). Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll try to post up some pictures on Picasa in a few days.
The Ride
I've come to the recumbent word late in life after a long career as a DF bike racer. Hence, my experience with recumbents and with fairings is limited to some riding I did last winter on my EZ Carbon faired Gold Rush. While I liked my Gold Rush; I was disappointed with the fairing. It was hard to install, mostly because the instructions were minimal, and poorly written. Also, the opaque carbon fairing gave me a closed in feeling, which I didn't like (remember I'm a DF guy at heart). While the EZ Carbon did the job, it was very noisy and unpleasant to ride. To make a long story short, I sold the EZ carbon fairing for about half of what I paid for it. Based on my experience with the EZ carbon, I was very concerned about my GX. I needn't have worried. The best thing I can say about riding with the GX, is that I barely notice it. The only noise is a pleasant low volume whoosh, as the wind passes over the fairing. And whoosh, is a good description of how the bike feels, especially when speeds exceed 20 mph. Mueller conservatively estimates a 5% improvement in velocity. At 20+ mph, my guess is that the improvement is closer to 10%. As far as wind protection is concerned, even at the extremely low and forward position, the protection is excellent – equal or better than my old EZ carbon. I'll be experimenting with higher and closer positioning of the GX. But even if I kept the current positioning, I am very satisfied with the performance of my GX, and look forward to extending my riding season into the coming NY winter.
Recommendations
The Mueller GX fairing isn't an F-40. But if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive, light weight, easy to install fairing, which will give you considerable protection from the elements, as well as a small, but significant bump in performance, the Mueller GX is an excellent choice. If you live in a more temperate climate, you might also consider the Mueller XT – it promises the same gain in performance at half the weight and cost.