Pros and Cons of a velomobile?

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   Hi,
Would the owners of velomobiles be prepared to list what they see the advantages and disadvantages of owning and riding their machines?

I ride a recumbent trike and am quite slow  with 12-13 mph cruise speed but keep find myself drawn to velomobiles.  Then my sensible head kicks in and tells me that I would never really be able to make use of aero and speed of a velomobile and that I should save my money.  I have never even sat in a velomobile let alone ridden one, so wonder what owners think?

best wishes
Simon

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skids Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Visitor (new) Joined: 07 January 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote skids Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Pros and Cons of a velomobile? Posted: 21 March 2023 at 7:32am
	Hi, Would the owners of velomobiles be prepared to list what they see the advantages and disadvantages of owning and riding their machines? I ride a recumbent trike and am quite slow with 12-13 mph cruise speed but keep find myself drawn to velomobiles. Then my sensible head kicks in and tells me that I would never really be able to make use of aero and speed of a velomobile and that I should save my money. I have never even sat in a velomobile let alone ridden one, so wonder what owners think? best wishes Simon

Yanto Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 11 July 2005 Status: Offline Points: 1521	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yanto Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 21 March 2023 at 6:18pm
	Not a list of pro or con as it depends on viewpoint Aero advantage starts about 15mph, until that speed just moving a heavy trike Can be very hot in summer, ok if you don't mind sweating Keeps rider warm, shorts and t-shirt most of year keeps most of weather off, but like all recumbents rain/sleet/hail/snow in face hurts need to be fairly supple to get in and out of some maintenance can be fiddly but majority of components are straight bicycle ones chains last up to 20k miles, chainrings/cassettes longer lots of attention, mostly good, odd arse, but hey they're everywhere have to have a list of answers to questions such as, how fast, how much, did you make, how much it cost etc etc You will be photographed and videod all the time you will overall be quicker than any other form of open cycle/trike you ride, caveated with if you live in very steep hilly terrain or commute through towns/cities you might be slower need appropriate storage space can carry lots of food/beer/luggage/camping with no real affect on speed the faster you go down hill (they accelerate quickly) the faster overall speed will be as they carry it well up the next incline, in fact I would say rolling terrain is the most rewarding kind of riding headwinds hardly affect it tail winds hardly affect it side winds depending on model can be interesting You're only here once, they are rare beasts, just buy one, if you don't like it, sell it I theory a lighter velomobile is faster, in practice that is only true going up hill, should think more about the overall system weight, afterall the lump of lard/gristle/muscle sitting in it is the heaviest bit. If you do have a mechanical failure and need rescuing then a suitable vehicle is required - rarely happens! if I think of any more I'll be in touch Edited by Yanto - 21 March 2023 at 6:19pm

skids Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Visitor (new) Joined: 07 January 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote skids Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 March 2023 at 8:49pm
	Thanks for your list, this made me smile "You're only here once, they are rare beasts, just buy one, if you don't like it, sell it" I think I need to visit a dealer and have a test ride. best wishes Simon

Yanto Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 11 July 2005 Status: Offline Points: 1521	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yanto Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 March 2023 at 8:00am
	You will need to spend a couple of days in Dronten (Netherlands), at Intercitybike https://www.intercitybike.nl/en/and velomobiel.nl https://www.velomobiel.nl/ they cover most mainstream models. If you are serious then it's worth forking out to travel, you will see lots of different models and can try them, also Ymte at Intercitybike has an interesting collection of old velomobiles, trikes and one-offs, and he doesn't charge to look at his museum Also have a look at the manufacturer (of most models) website https://www.velomobileworld.com/ If you do the facebook thing then it's worth joining 2 groups, Velomobile club of Great Britain and Velomobile, also if you are fluent in German or can use a translator then pop and have a look in what is the most used Forum in Europe (link below), in fact the world, there is here of course, one in the US which is very flaky and goes by the dubious name of "Bent Rider On Line" (BROL) one in France which is I dare say the most antiquated discussion platform (I don't have links to them at hand as I stopped looking at both of them). https://www.velomobilforum.de/forum/index.php Edited by Yanto - 22 March 2023 at 8:02am

RoyMacdonald Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List BHPC Member Joined: 09 March 2007 Location: Rye East Sussex Status: Offline Points: 981	Post Options Post Reply Quote RoyMacdonald Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 March 2023 at 1:45pm
	I agree with Yanto/Ian on most of the points but would add that I find my Velo is much kinder to my SVT heart condition due to it's very light weight. (17.5 kg) Much lighter than my ICE Sprint 26RS, (less than 1 third of the weight) although the Sprint does have a defunct electric motor that is still in place at the moment. Mine is a fully enclosed Velombile (wheels) so has a more limited lock than the Sprint or a recumbent bike. (Not an option for me since my major stroke 3 years ago.) I can ride for over an hour in very hilly and rough roads in the After 7. I aways ride with my race cap on as I never get that hot (I'm 79) and I find it shelters me from the sun so I stay cooler anyway. I have rigged mine up with indicators, rear radar scanner and a car type horn to make the experience of riding in traffic easier and safer. I like to ride with a coat, mobile, tools, overshoes to stop my cleats getting full of mud, stand that lifts the rear wheel off the road (in case I need to do work on the road), drink, shopping, etc. I've yet to not be able to carry anything I want to. http://www.flickr.com/photos/185320471@N04/ All the best. Roy Edited by RoyMacdonald - 22 March 2023 at 2:09pm

skids Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Visitor (new) Joined: 07 January 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote skids Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 March 2023 at 3:21pm
	Wow! There I was wondering if I'm to old to use a velomobile! If I may I have a couple of questions: 1. The first is about transports a velo and their fragility, are both of yours strong enough to travel on a trailer towed by a car? 2. I appreciate that the answer will depend on the machine in question but generally do you have to stand on the seat to get in and out like you do in a Chipmunk ? best wishes Simon

RoyMacdonald Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List BHPC Member Joined: 09 March 2007 Location: Rye East Sussex Status: Offline Points: 981	Post Options Post Reply Quote RoyMacdonald Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 March 2023 at 6:09pm
	Well I transport mine on a roof rack without a problem so a trailer should be easier and kinder. There is no trailer made to fit the Audi TT as it has an all ally body, so cannot meet the EU regs for a trailer fitting. Yes you do have to stand on the seat initially, then the crossmember once youve lowered yourself in. All the best. Roy Edited by RoyMacdonald - 22 March 2023 at 6:20pm

Yanto Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 11 July 2005 Status: Offline Points: 1521	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yanto Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 March 2023 at 7:26pm
	I've carried them on a trailer no problem, also lifted onto a roof rack to sit on a home made cradle, and inside an estate car, although I could get my Alpha 7 into a Toyota Yaris if I had to. They are fairly robust in the required areas, however some parts of the body are quite fragile, I am talking about the majority of velomobiles made now, there are some that are very robust, but heavy.

AlanGoodman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Club Chairman Joined: 04 March 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 8036	Post Options Post Reply Quote AlanGoodman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 March 2023 at 9:10pm
	One downside to be aware of is that they are fragile and easily damaged. You have to be careful where you leave them (preferably never out of sight!) Fine if you live in a nice area and/or have secure parking at both ends of your journey. Here in Pikey-infested Hemel Hempstead I couldn't leave mine outside the shops for example. BUT... I agree with everything that has been said above. It's the best toy you will ever own and I regret parting with the Quest XS I had. I'm currently looking out for another one as it happens. They hold their price really well so if you find you don't like it you can sell it on without losing a lot. DO IT


RoyMacdonald Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List BHPC Member Joined: 09 March 2007 Location: Rye East Sussex Status: Offline Points: 981	Post Options Post Reply Quote RoyMacdonald Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 March 2023 at 9:37pm
	The shell is obviously the weakest part but is easily repaired if damaged. I've stood on the floor of mine but I weigh nothing. It's normal too just have the bits that take loadings to be reinforced. Mine gets treated very roughly. I just add some pre impregnated carbon fibre strips if I think an area is too fragile. Rocket X was designed in carbon fibre. I tried breaking my roof rack that I made from carbon fibre and I couldn't. To quote the web Strength. Though steel is generally considered the standard when it comes to construction and industrial settings, in terms of strength to weight ratios, carbon fiber is actually significantly stronger than steel. All the best Roy Edited by RoyMacdonald - 22 March 2023 at 9:43pm