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Old 05-09-2010, 11:06 PM   #28 (permalink)
Bicycle Bob
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Road & Track once tested a bicycle from Maserati, and was most astonished at how many places "Campagnolo" was written on it.
Perhaps the closest the car companies come to bike work is in their annual soap-box derby. In one of the early events, they were all soundly trounced by an actual bicycle company, tiny Windcheetah, which also makes Velomobiles. These are usually trikes, with full bodywork, up to twice as fast as a bike with the same rider. The usual bodywork is adequate to prevent road rash, but one can design a shell like a big helmet, and get enough structure that way.

Most velomobiles sell for around $10,000. The one designed for mass production didn't hit big numbers. If designed as electra-peds, the price can stay the same, with savings on the ultra-light parts not needed with a booster. The regenerative braking keeps the speeds downhill from getting lethal, too.
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