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Velomobile question.
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atlas_shrugged View Drop Down
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Points: 1025 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote atlas_shrugged Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 January 2021 at 8:28pm
IMHO the 70km distance each way in the velomobile is not the main obstacle.

It is the lack of high quality long distance Greenways that are the real barrier. A 70km distance on a non-stop quality route would be a pleasure in a velomobile. As long as no hill was more than 5%!

Issue 142 of the BHPC magazine makes the case for such long distance Greenways to be constructed. Maybe send a copy of this to your local MP?
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Yanto View Drop Down
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Points: 1521 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Yanto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 January 2021 at 9:22pm
Originally posted by flyinerin flyinerin wrote:

That is awesome Yanto - I'm impressed! Just shows what is possible with an HPV.

Do you mind if I ask which model velomobile you used for those commutes?

Originally I used a glassfibre Quest, then a Carbon Quest XS and lastly a Df, I currently have the Df and an Alpha 7.

Ian


Edited by Yanto - 23 January 2021 at 9:23pm
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flyinerin View Drop Down
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Points: 43 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyinerin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 January 2021 at 9:49am
I have been meaning to write to my MP regarding the state of the cycle routes in Surrey.
The area round Reigate alone is more than a little rough!
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flyinerin View Drop Down
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Points: 43 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyinerin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 January 2021 at 9:50am
The Quest looks like a great option. I'll have to keep my eye out for a used one as sadly I don't think my budget will stretch to new.

Do you have any experience with Mango VMs? They seem to be the most affordable of the new ones.
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Yanto View Drop Down
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Points: 1521 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Yanto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 January 2021 at 4:39pm
I've never ridden a Mango so can't comment accurately, I do however think it's fair to say it is a slower type of velomobile when compared to Df, Quest, A7, Milan etc this due to it's not so aero body, I think they are well built though, or certainly not badly built, they have a lot of common components (as do a lot of velomobiles) although I'm not sure that Sinner Bikes/Drymer are actually supporting the Mango or indeed trading at all.
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ChrisH View Drop Down
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Points: 747 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote ChrisH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 January 2021 at 8:00pm
I can probably describe a relevant bitke-for-bike comparison.. Pre covid I used to commute to work 43km each way originally on a raptobike before moving on to a velomobile. Shorter than your 75km and norfolk based, so no hills to write home about. moving over to the velo the average speed maybe increased by ~10% for same amount of effort, so can take it easier when you choose and still get places in a reasonable time. However, the biggest benefits were in the colder months

1. Weather resistance so always guaranteed to arrive warm and with dry feet.
2. 3 wheels, so less concern about icy roads.
3. Less layers of clothes needed to keep warm (so less faffng at either end getting changed/dried etc).
4. All enclosed so less need for regular chain cleaning etc etc. ( once every few months)...

the velo really takes the edge off those Dec-march rides....and if you commute a reasonable distance regularly, they're worth it for that alone...
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flyinerin View Drop Down
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Points: 43 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyinerin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 January 2021 at 8:30am
Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply. Do you mind if I ask which Velomobile you decided to go for?
Was it difficult to transition from the Raptobike to the velo' at all? The speed and weather protection appeals hugely but I am a little concerned about the extra load on my knees.

The hills round here are fairly steep but there is always a flat way around so the weight penalty of a velomobile hopefully won't be too much of an issue.
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ChrisH View Drop Down
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Points: 747 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ChrisH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 January 2021 at 8:15pm
I went for a used Evo-K.
Transition between lowracer and velomobile was quite easy ( mainly just a matter of getting used to different seating position, steering, bigger turning circle etc.).

Your knees will be fine on the hills as long as you just accept uphil are slower until you get to the top and don't mind spinning easy gears. The beauty of three wheels is that on really steep hills you can go as slow as you like and still never fall off!
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flyinerin View Drop Down
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Points: 43 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyinerin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2021 at 7:33pm
Update on my crazy commute.

I decided to have a go at the ride today on my Raptobike just to see how long it would take.
The total ride time was just over two hours each way and a total distance of just under 140kms for the round trip (i did get a tiny bit lost in Chertsey). I think with a little more fitness and a more polished route I could comfortably do each leg in under two hours.

The once you get past Brooklands the terrain all the way to Maidenhead is ideal for low racers as it is very flat and you can spin along at a fair old clip. 

I would absolutely love to try the ride again on a velomobile just to see how much time it would save. 

My Raptobike is pretty much as it came out of the box. I'm investigating getting Fujin style tailbox to see if that would help with efficiency at all. Sadly, no one seems to be able to quote any data on what sort of aerodynamic efficiency a tailbox would bring. If anyone has any experience of such things, I'd love to read if the tailbox helped in terms of aerodynamic efficiency.

Here is my route if anyone is interested (I stopped for a hearty petrol station lunch without switching off the Garmin which is why my average speed is a bit low - honest!)



Edited by flyinerin - 21 February 2021 at 7:39pm
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Points: 981 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RoyMacdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2021 at 10:03pm
My guesstimate would be one and a half to two mph on the average speed.

I have a carbon tailbox that I bought from Mike Burrows that was taken from his Cadillac mould (see photo). I bought it to fit to my Fujin but recently sold the Fujin because of my balance issues since my stroke. It would need modification if you want to carry stuff in it and it would then need to be fitted as well. I paid £750 for it if I remember correctly.

PM me if it is of any interest.

All the best.
Roy 


Edited by RoyMacdonald - 21 February 2021 at 10:09pm
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