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Old 05-12-2010, 10:48 PM   #29 (permalink)
Grant-53
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Elmira, NY
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I figure the 40 lb bike would include motor, batteries, and fairing. I can weigh my 2000 Jamis Aragon and U lock with cable. I looked at weights and prices of road bikes reviewed in [I]Bicycling[I magazine. Before I spend $2500 for a 14 lb bike I want to get my own weight down below 200lb. Check the IHPVA website for the article on crashing a fully enclosed recumbant. Like our bike helmets, a little plastic and foam can go a long way. The Gravity Racers are very slick on aero drag but not the best choice for a practical velomobile. Back issues of Motor Trend once featured patterns for paper models of the Mercedes C111 Mk2 (Aug. 1971) and the Aerovette (Jan. 1972). These cars had Cd 0.32 and could be scaled to fit a Rhodes Car and hybrid motor kits are available. I'd opt for the mag wheels.
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