Living with a velomobile

[Aushiker]

Hi

Thought their might be a bit of interest in this guy's story about touring/commuting with this really weird looking Velomobile



Andrew

[}SkOrPn--7]

That's what I need for riding in the winter months.

[ldrcycles]

That's what I need for riding in the winter months.

+1, if only they weren't so expensive .

[trailgumby]

Looks like Daffy Duck's space helmet

[Joeblake]

I like the detachable roof.

Also like the way the wheels are "outside" the shell, so the rider doesn't get so much road splash.

I suppose on the down side such thorough enclosure carries a weight penalty, and I think in wet weather, there'd probably be a bit of humidity/fog inside to make things a little unpleasant. (Can't have everything )

Nice driver visibility too.

Very similar to some velomobiles I saw on an SBS program series on Bicycles. (Danish?) One of the guys was able to pick his VM up and carry it over his head to park it. The entire shell tipped forward, rather than just the cockpit cover.

Joe

[}SkOrPn--7]

JB I'm not sure that it would fog up that much because looking at the web site Andrew linked too on page 5 it would appear that the floor isn't in the velo cover so I would say enough air would be push up to clear things. As you say having the wheels on the outside with no spray would reduce most of the fogging because you as a rider are not getting wet and steaming things up. ldrcycles I reckon one could be home made for very little cost if your prepared to invest the time but your right there not cheap to purchase even in kit form. That cover seems to have plenty of visibility and looks to be a great addition to a trike if you like the velo look. I'm not fond of them but keeping dry in a down poor during the crapping months I could use one for sure. I think that if I was to go down this path I would buy another trike set-up similar just to be ridden in the wet months or days because I couldn't be bothered taking it apart to use the trike for good weather rides then bolt back on when rain is on it's way.

PS I just noticed he also has a window wiper so with his "E" set-up he has it all.

Ricky

[Joeblake]

I'm pretty sure this is the VM I was thinking of on that SBS program. (Leitra)



You can see where the shell joins to tilt forward. And what I think is neat is the built in overhead rear view mirror.

Joe

[Joeblake]

Solar powered. (Sounds familiar?)





From the Leitra website.
http://www.leitra.dk/photogallery.php?photo_id=8

Joe

[nitramluap]

I've had a velomobile here in Brisbane now for almost a year and I'm really enjoying it. I use it to commute to work 2 days per week (as only one workplace has a safe place to store it) and on almost every other day for fun/fitness or visiting friends. My flavour is the Sinner Mango Sport (Red Edition), made in Holland. Shipped to Australia, including taxes, etc. it cost me about $9,000 which is only a little more expensive than the locally made (but very different) RotoVelo. It is certainly cheaper than some of my friends' road bikes and much, much cheaper than a car.



Heat is not a problem unless it is a particularly hot and, more importantly, humid day AND I'm stationary (or if raining and I'm using the foam cover). So far in Brisbane's summers I've been fine. The velomobile has two small foot holes for 'reverse' but these double as ventilation inlets, allowing a small amount of airflow - enough to keep me cool.

I have a velomobile that is not only very practical (drivetrain out of the elements - my chain has no wear yet, plenty of storage space, etc) but also quite fast:



It is an absolute pleasure to ride.

[recumbenteer]

.... I gotta beg, borrow n steal.... 'cause I want one of these.... .http://www.trisled.com.au/rotovelo.asp

[Joeblake]

I suppose if I were going to leap from the frying pan into a flyer, I'd probably look at the Greenspeed Glyde.

http://www.greenspeed.com.au/Glyde.htm



But it'll be a while, if ever.

Joe

[ldrcycles]

Please stop posting pics of HOT velomobiles, i'm already unhappy that i can't even afford an ugly one!

[}SkOrPn--7]

Please stop posting pics of HOT velomobiles, i'm already unhappy that i can't even afford an ugly one!

Classic

[Joeblake]

Please stop posting pics of HOT velomobiles, i'm already unhappy that i can't even afford an ugly one!

Veloporn.

Joe

[Baalzamon]

keep em coming

[Joeblake]

Hmmm. I can see sunburnt legs in this one.




http://www.gizmag.com/real-deal-on-velo ... re/120252/

Joe

[Baalzamon]

Hmmm. I can see sunburnt legs in this one.




http://www.gizmag.com/real-deal-on-velo ... re/120252/

Joe

Yep, they need some good tinting on that one

[Joeblake]

Just imagine if they could build a car that looked like a velomobile ...
















Oh, wait....



they did.





Thank you Buckminster Fuller.

Joe

[}SkOrPn--7]

Hmmm. I can see sunburnt legs in this one.




http://www.gizmag.com/real-deal-on-velo ... re/120252/

Joe

I like that model it's appealing for so many reasons and the fact that the rear end is open to allow for panniers. As for the sunburn on the legs I dare say that a cover strip of some kind could be adhered to the clear plastic to add better protection. Does that model come with a head cover JB do you know?

Ricky

[Joeblake]

Does that model come with a head cover JB do you know?

Ricky

According to this link (an earlier version???) it seems to have a hard top option:

http://www.gizmag.com/httpwwwgizmagcomb ... 735/13735/



Joe

[Aushiker]

Does that model come with a head cover JB do you know?

Is this it?





Andrew

[nitramluap]

...that the rear end is open to allow for panniers
Ricky

Maybe, but in my velomobile I have plenty of space for that sort of storage plus two small panniers beside me and because they're inside with me, away from the elements, they're always clean & dry. I don't know why anyone with a velomobile would want external panniers to be honest. With the Go-One, it's a bit of an afterthought - storage, that is.

[}SkOrPn--7]

According to this link (an earlier version???) it seems to have a hard top option:


Joe

Even that version looks smart.

Does that model come with a head cover JB do you know?

Is this it?





Andrew

Nice find Andrew that does look good with plenty of vis available.

...that the rear end is open to allow for panniers
Ricky

Maybe, but in my velomobile I have plenty of space for that sort of storage plus two small panniers beside me and because they're inside with me, away from the elements, they're always clean & dry. I don't know why anyone with a velomobile would want external panniers to be honest. With the Go-One, it's a bit of an afterthought - storage, that is.

I guess Nitram with open panniers you can load it up and not be worried about space because my current panniers on my tike make the back end square and 2-2.5 foot wide but that width would be lost with the tapering rear end. Do you have much trouble pulling your gear out and packing it again or is it pretty straight forward in just dumping your panniers in there? How much gear can you pack around the floor space in a velo since you have one no doubt you have tried or can at least give an informed opinion on this.

Ricky

[jet-ski]

what about a velomobile with a bigger storage compartment in the back to stick a kid/dog in? when riding on the road do other motorists treat you more like a car?

[Joeblake]

what about a velomobile with a bigger storage compartment in the back to stick a kid/dog in? when riding on the road do other motorists treat you more like a car?

They'd probably have mental alarm bells ringing:



"DANGER DANGER WARNING. Object may scratch my paintwork. Avoid collision!!!"

I'd be looking at using my BoB trailer, a decent payload, can be waterproof, and can be removed when not needed. The BoB comes with standard quick release Skewer nutz. Should fit any velo.

Joe