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TECH NEWS

An air-filled cycling backpack to "reduce drag and "enhance safety" is about to hit Kickstarter

The “next level of cycling safety and performance” weighs under 300g and even has an integrated airbag, claim its ambitious creators

Yep, you're reading and seeing that right... Hong Kong-based innovators Ram Air Fairing (RAF, but not that RAF) will soon be starting a crowdfunding campaign for its 'Pioneering Bike Backpack' that is designed to reduce drag and enhance safety. "Say goodbye to cumbersome gear and hello to effortless cycling with our lightweight solution", boast the enthusiastic founders.

The Pioneering Bike Backpack, that as far as we can tell isn't actually designed to carry anything, is described as "a one-of-a-kind accessory that sets you apart on the road", and aesthetically we've certainly never seen anything quite like it. Why else should you back this backpack on Kickstarter, then? 

> Where are they now? The best, worst and wackiest cycling crowdfunders

2024 Ram Air Fairing Pioneering Bike Backpack 2

"Our backpack's efficiency is unparalleled, meticulously engineered to elevate your speed on the road", says RAF.  

"By significantly reducing air drag, you'll effortlessly slice through the wind, propelling yourself towards your personal best with ease."

As far as we can see there are no claims on how much "air drag" you might save yourself, not that that's stopped plenty of cycling brands in the past...

Inspired by a desire to improve cycling aerodynamics, RAF's founder, a professional paraglider, sought to merge the principles of paragliding with cycling to reduce resistance and elevate the riding experience (hopefully that doesn't mean cyclists wearing the Pioneering Bike Backpack will be taking off into the sky).  

RAF continues: "This innovative backpack is designed to increase speed by reducing air drag, ultimately minimising padding force and optimising your performance on the road!"

2024 Ram Air Fairing Pioneering Bike Backpack 3

...but that's not all. 

RAF also claims that the Pioneering Bike Backpack enhances safety with integrated airbag protection. It certainly does look like a comfier landing than most backpacks, but we'll have to see how it handles in crosswinds before verifying the safety claims.

The claimed weight is 299g, which perhaps isn't surprising as most of it is simply air. The dimensions of the backpack are 95 x 35 x 65cm, or roughly the same size as a large kitchen bin for reference... and to ensure your kitchen bin-sized aero backpack looks as stylish as possible, you can match it to your kit in either white, blue or black colourways. 

2024 Ram Air Fairing Pioneering Bike Backpack 5

> Has aero gone too far?

Since the Pioneering Bike Backpack doesn't appear to function as a traditional storage item and alters the rider's body shape, we're anticipating that it will fall foul of the UCI’s technical regulations, so it's unlikely you'll be seeing a RAF in the pro peloton any time soon.

Article 1.3.033 says: "Items of clothing may not modify the morphology of the rider and any non-essential element or device, of which the purpose is not exclusively that of clothing or protection, is forbidden. This shall also apply regarding any material or substance applied onto the skin or clothing and which is not itself an item of clothing." 

So, will it really work?

2024 Ram Air Fairing Pioneering Bike Backpack 4

While the idea of airflow staying attached to you for longer is well documented and invariably a successful way of decreasing drag on the bike, RAF doesn't provide any wind tunnel data or specific performance metrics for the Pioneering Bike Backpack. While wind tunnel testing can be expensive, the lack of concrete details makes it difficult to assess the actual impact of the backpack’s performance claims.

In response to the FAQ about how much faster you can go with the backpack on its website, RAF provides a vague answer: "Our air-filled backpack is engineered to slash air drag, boosting your speed and optimising your cycling performance for a noticeable difference."

Even if it does work, the appearance could be off-putting for some based off some comments we've seen around social media so far. But who are we to judge?

Unfortunately we don't have pricing information yet, and would struggle to even make an educated guess... so we'll update you when the crowdfunder goes live instead.

For more info go to Kickstarter or ramairfairing.com, and do let us know what you think of this creation in the comments below.

Emily is our track and road racing specialist, having represented Great Britain at the World and European Track Championships. With a National Title up her sleeve, Emily has just completed her Master’s in Sports Psychology at Loughborough University where she raced for Elite Development Team, Loughborough Lightning.

Emily is our go-to for all things training and when not riding or racing bikes, you can find her online shopping or booking flights…the rest of the office is now considering painting their nails to see if that’s the secret to going fast…

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67 comments

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Dave H | 3 weeks ago
1 like

It's not April the 1st yet is it.

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Matthew Acton-Varian replied to Dave H | 3 weeks ago
0 likes

I had to check my calendar too...

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Mybike | 3 weeks ago
0 likes

WTF were they thinking.

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Born_peddling | 3 weeks ago
0 likes

5th picture down cracks me up looks like some kind of cyber shark cosplay crap 😂....

I only have two questions well three, why? Just why and how flammable?? 😈

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mdavidford replied to Born_peddling | 3 weeks ago
1 like

Born_peddling wrote:

how flammable??

Depends if you go with the helium filling someone else suggested, or with hydrogen instead.

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brooksby | 3 weeks ago
3 likes

Has anyone posted this, yet?

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mdavidford replied to brooksby | 3 weeks ago
5 likes

Put me more in mind of...

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EM69 | 3 weeks ago
0 likes

As if we needed more reasons to have the pi$$ taken out of us!

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Gbjbanjs | 3 weeks ago
1 like

Would love to see someone turn up at our Tuesday chain gang with that on.
Pretty sure that it is not safe.

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chrisonabike replied to Gbjbanjs | 3 weeks ago
1 like

Agreed, my memory's flagging something about bouncy castles blowing away in the wind?

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eburtthebike | 3 weeks ago
5 likes

If you pump it up to 90psi and 50m from the line pull the plug to give you an extra boost, is that cheating?

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hawkinspeter replied to eburtthebike | 3 weeks ago
4 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

If you pump it up to 90psi and 50m from the line pull the plug to give you an extra boost, is that cheating?

Only if you fill it with acrid smoke so that nobody behind you can see or breathe

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OldRidgeback | 3 weeks ago
2 likes

Put a flashing light inside a light coloured one and I suppose it'd help visibility. But you'd still look a bit of a twonk wearing one, so no thanks.

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chrisonabike replied to OldRidgeback | 3 weeks ago
4 likes

Could look quite nice I'd have thought?

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Tom_77 | 3 weeks ago
5 likes

I had a look on their website. They claim to have a large number of 5* Trustpilot reviews, but when I look on Trustpilot they haven't got any reviews at all...

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mdavidford replied to Tom_77 | 3 weeks ago
1 like

I'm not even clear how they could have any reviews, given that they appear to have one product that hasn't even launched yet. 🤷‍♂️

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Destroyer666 replied to mdavidford | 3 weeks ago
0 likes

They can't, and they don't. But I am pretty sure this more a "Yes Men" style fake thing, albeit with a less political agenda, to perhaps make fun of the "aero is everything" trend, than an actual scam.

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Paul J replied to Tom_77 | 3 weeks ago
5 likes

It's a scam. One way or another it's a scam - if they make it, they're scamming idiots; if they take kickstarter funding and run with the money, they're scamming idiots.

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HLaB | 3 weeks ago
5 likes

I almost spat my tea out when the video said 'also quite stylish'  4

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Velo-drone replied to HLaB | 3 weeks ago
2 likes
HLaB wrote:

I almost spat my tea out when the video said 'also quite stylish'  4

Same!! Here's the link to the sweet spot, to save a lot of cringey preamble and get straight to the goods!

https://youtu.be/ZDozUXTGHHs&t=71

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Gbjbanjs replied to HLaB | 3 weeks ago
2 likes

When standing upright the wearer looks like an insect

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chrisonabike | 3 weeks ago
1 like

A 10 Euro version could be useful for the Dutch commuter market (headwinds both ways on a very upright bike)? Just deflate it when you get to work. Apparently you do see the odd Omafiets with tri-bars to deal with this.

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KDee replied to chrisonabike | 3 weeks ago
1 like

Colleague of mine commutes by bike from Zoetermeer most days...with aero bars on his city bike

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Paul J replied to chrisonabike | 3 weeks ago
1 like

I doubt this provides positive aerodynamic benefits.

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Dunnoeither | 3 weeks ago
6 likes

They should have done better research: Spinosaurus also had a long tail and was most likely grey/green/brown. In order to replicate that past time beast accurately this aerosaurus halloween costume is also missing an inflatable 15" snout that attaches to the helmet.

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Blackthorne replied to Dunnoeither | 3 weeks ago
6 likes

A pack of these Velo-ciraptors coming round the corner will have people dying (of laughter).

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Laz | 3 weeks ago
1 like

As a bike courier I had a left hand turning car cross my path while I was roaring on a call. As I flipped endover in the air I felt my bag, a full-sized backcountry backpack I rode with which was fairly empty that day I felt it inflate catching the wind and I landed on it flat on my back, felt my heels connect with the tarmac the air push out from my pack then the back of my head held by the straps as my helmet split in half. My bike was trashed. I lost some cash and my knee was smashed.
On my other bike the next day
Freaking cop told me no charges to be laid and no insurance info for me as the driver was from the States and "didn't know".

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brooksby replied to Laz | 3 weeks ago
2 likes

Laz wrote:

Freaking cop told me no charges to be laid and no insurance info for me as the driver was from the States and "didn't know".

Or maybe the motorist worked for one of the three letter agencies had diplomatic immunity? 

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Velo-drone replied to Laz | 3 weeks ago
1 like

If it was a standard beat /station cop, they tend to know next to nothing about traffic policing.

You would most likely get a much more sensible outcome submitting a video (if you have one) to the online traffic offence reporting portal

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Daclu Trelub | 3 weeks ago
3 likes

If these catch on, there will be a rash of cheating allegations that some are filling them with helium.

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