Looking for a strong transparent material that can withstand severe weather (Rain, wind, hail) and fold able..?

Question

I am a cycle enthusiast and I am looking to create some form of shield that can shelter me from rain, hail, and wind.

A material that is STRONG, LIGHTWEIGHT, FOLDABLE, TRANSPARENT, EASY TO SHAPE OR FORM, and that can shelter me through RAIN, HAIL, OR WIND.

Please help....

Thanks!

Answer 1

I own and fly often an ultralight aircraft and all those have a windshield made of Lexan. It is strong, flexible, easy to shape and light. The only downside is that it easily scratches and it is not resistant to petrol. I am not an expert but there must be a reason all ultralight aircraft have Lexan windshields and windows.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexan



Good luck with your project.

Answer 2

So, you want to ride around on your bike with an aquarium over your head. Seems to me like you need some rain gear, instead. A rain suit doesn't even need to be transparent.

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http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000003809-Rainsuit/dp/B00363X67M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1383273856&sr=8-4&keywords=rain+gear

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If you're imagining building some sort of shell or other enclosure, probably doubling (or more) your bike's weight at the same time you double (or more) your wind resistance, good luck with that. In that case I'd go with Zhi Li's suggestion and buy a car. Never mind trying to make it look good. After your neighbors get over the laughing fit they'll have when they see it for the first time, you can ask one of them to shadow your first ride in a storm, to help pick you up and give you a ride home after you discover what effect crosswinds are going to have on you.

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Oh, wait, you specified foldable. I think one of those elf cloaks they showed in Lord of the Rings might do it, as long as it's reinforced with unobtanium from Pandora. Or some other magical material.

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A rain suit should be looking better and better.

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Answer 3

You can't mean tent, can you?

You mean while you're riding? Buy a car.

They also have these things called windshields...helmets, too!

Raincoats/slickers/hats.

Being vague is not a positive character attribute. You mean a tarp for you and bike to shelter under? It called heavy duty polyethylene. It should be obvious that anything that will shelter you from rain and hail will be a sail in the wind...not something you can ride with. Motorcycle helmet and poncho for riding, along with some tie down straps to minimize wind resistance.

Answer 4

Acrylic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)