Velomobiles?
 

Are any of you up on or owners of velomobiles? Unfortunately, I started the thread and put it in the wrong category in the non fossil fuels. I'm hoping maybe the moderator can move it down here? If not my sincere apologies.

Confused me for a moment.

Velomobiles
 

I have been interested in them for years and would have owned one a long time ago if they were readily available in the states. I was a national level road cyclist, physician, and worked with a handful of national champions and procyclists with cycling biomechanics and injuries. Your numbers are pretty accurate, speed isn't the issue as much as distance and inclines. Aerodynamics quickly give way to the weight on hills. The electric assist is an option on some of the velomobiles.

I would think you should be able to find someone fairly close to you that has one. I thought I had velomobile site for the US that listed groups but I can't find it. There are some UK clubs that have YouTube channels, you will be able to get a lot of information there.

There are some youtube videos from the Netherlands? that show an entire ride with HUD. The speeds for extended rides is pretty incredible.

I have ordered a .Quattravelo in bright yellow. Hope to get it by years end. I watch Saukki's videos all the time!

There is a velomobile group on Facebook. There are plans for human powered vehicles on recumbents.com. One could make a shell for a long wheelbase recumbent machine. These trikes function best as flat land touring machines if you have a garage.

I own two.

One is a custom-built electric trike on KMX framekit with a coroplast body shell and full suspension.

https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...ile-39095.html

The other is a Rainforest Designs-made Milan SL I purchased used.

While it is one of the slower models available, it will still prove significantly faster than a road bike, and it has the advantage of a rear-wheel flat not causing you to careen out of control, plus lots of cargo space.

There is also a German pretty active forum on velomobiles, where You can post in English or maybe use deepl): www.velomobilforum.de

BTW: i own two velomobiles: an old GoOne 3 which i am trying to make more efficient, and a few months ago my Leiba Cargo (a two seated velomobile) finally arrived:

https://www.bassic.de/attachments/si...2-jpeg.693987/

Miles more sustainable than a car (no pun intended) so I approve.

I wish they were more popular so the prices would come down. There's not enough demand to have an efficient assembly line yet. If there was they'd probably be half the price.

There is hope for You.

A new model, the Bülk 4 more, is going to be introduced at the Spezi. Actually the first dealers already have vehicles available.

It is a simplified Bülk, with open wheel wells and made of glass fiber instead of carbon fiber, battery lights and 1x11 gearing. Designed for production in larger quantities. Introductory price 6000 €. Not quite as stiff, not quite as fast, but apparently sufficient.

One of the developers is from the USA. AFAIK he is also a dealer for velomobiles. I do not have any idea on the pricing in the states.

German speaking people or DeepL users might also have a look here: https://www.velomobilforum.de/forum/...lomobil.73113/

And here the official announcement: https://www.velomobileworld.com/de/e...ll-april-2024/

There will be a velomobile competition at the World Human Power Speed Challenge in Battle Mountain this Sept. Unlike the normal competition which times one vehicle at a time, the velomobiles will go head to head I believe on the 5 mile straight away. As of now I only know of four racers in the velomobile competition.
You can find more info at the WHPSC fbook page. It is normally open to the public so no sign in is required.