Well done ! I wish there would be more open minded people like you who try a velomobile for their everyday commute instead of a car. Liveability in towns would be much greater, the environment and ressources would be preserved and the poeple would be much healthier and less agressive. It's a shame that our politicians encourage the change of mobiltity so half hardedly if at all.
I've rode Velos and trikes exclusively for over 14 years. All home built. As for signaling, I occasionally use bright green gloves and point in the direction I want to go. Bad roads are dangerous and to be avoided if possible. My present machine has 3 way independent suspension. In the "in between" seasons, when the ambient temperature and dew point are the same, fogging becomes an issue. I use a small propane catalytic radiant heater to warm the canopy. The side flaps are adjustable so fresh air isn't a problem. As for power, all my bikes are electric with non geared rear hub motors. I live in a rural area, so ive installed twin 50.4v 45ah Lithium packs each with active balancing. Range is ~260km @ 32kph
@Bud Jensen For the fog I have added an extra layer on the outside of the visor of defogging plastic. Works very good. If I'd live on a hill, I would go backwards... :-D
I love the information you gave in this video cause it gives me some interesting inside in ideas to design my own version of these. I'm currently only in the concept designing and information gathering phase still but I'm hoping to build my own and make more of them to sell to potential customers. Idk about the velomobile concept I believe a more stable version with 4 wheels could be better. Plus like you said in this video some type of suspension and a heat and cooling system depending on the season and weather. This video was great and very informative I appreciate it.
It is not just pedal assist for hills. Even with that aerodynamic shape riding against a stiff breeze can be difficult, as the assistance can reduce sweating in warmer temperatures.
I ride a recumbent trike as opposed to a velo. To solve the problem of being stuck in a high gear when I stop, put a Rohlof on the back. The trike is fast down hills but was slow uphills, so put a motor on it, now fast up and down hills. Have only rear suspension which is fine as with a light grip , front suspension not needed. If I have to go over a big pothole though, will use the rear wheel. The question is, does a velo easily fit in cycle lanes like a trike or too wide? Can it pull a trailer?
Hi Chris, very informative videos about the Challenger velomobile ! How fast can you approximately go for 15 or 20 minutes constantly ? I am discussing this with some folks at the German velomobile forum, while I am waiting for my used Challenger to be delivered. It's clear that this type of vehicle is a bit slower top speed wise than the "pavement-torpedoes" (Milan, Quest, DF, etc,), but I hope it's not that bad.
To be honest I think my challenger is not a fast velomobile. It seems best for commuting. Mine has uk-legal electric assist but only rear suspension. Relatively easy to maintain 17mph on smooth level surface. Could probably go slightly faster if i put in more effort. But my local roads are very uneven, lots of potholes, and hills. I use it primarily as weather protection. It is probably quicker than a mountain bike but other factors such as road infrastructure and other traffic mean there is little advantage in speed. Good for carrying stuff though.
The windshield wiper looks like it obstructs quite a bit of the view (annoyance wise, not safety wise). Does it just look like that on video? What's it like when riding?
Interesting video 😀. You mention that pedalling hard (at max cadence) on a smooth level road it’s possible to reach 30mph. What do you find to be a comfortable cruising speed that can be sustained?
Its a bit hard to say as I'm mostly limited by the terrible road surfaces. I have started reporting potholes but it would be a full time job to report all of them even just on the route I take to work. Secondly, on the roads you are often limited by traffic infrastructure such as traffic lights as well as by 'slow' cars (yes, you catch them up all the time but cannot easily overtake them). It takes slightly longer to get up to a good cruising speed than a bicycle, but is then easier to maintain. I would guess that I could pretty easily maintain say 16mph. Maybe a bit more. But I should emphasize that this velomobile is an older commuter machine and is definitely not a speed machine. It is slightly heavier than more modern carbon-fibre monocoque velomobiles. I am currently considering a change to a "Quest XS", 'Bulk' or 'Snoek' which are much lighter and much faster for the same leg power.... Just as soon as I win the lottery!
The current manufacturer of my velomobile is at www.eurocircuits.com/ec-velo/ . There are lots of other nice new carbon fibre velomobiles being built. See www.velomobileworld.com/ I bought my velomobile by effectively swapping my recumbent trike, so although more expensive than a bike, it wasn't too bad. But you do see some quite good ones advertised for around £3500. The latest brand new racers are around £10000!. Have a look on Facebook for velomobile groups. Or you can "relatively easily" build a coroplast shell over 20mm PVC electrical conduit frame and mount to most recumbent trikes. I built my first velomobile this way to see if I lliked the concept. I used a "Performer JC20" recumbent trike as it was the cheapest decent trike I could find at the time. They sound expensive for a fun toy, but if used to replace car journeys, a used one can be reasonable value for money. Remember: No licence, no road tax, no insurance, no MOTs, no parking fees , no congestion charges, exempt from speed limits(UK), can use phone whilst riding (UK, I know....its not a good idea but its not illegal), can use most bus and all bike lanes, simple bike maintenance so no expensive garages/servicing, no fancy extortion-driven electronics etc. You may even be able to sell advertising if you wished.
Well done ! I wish there would be more open minded people like you who try a velomobile for their everyday commute instead of a car. Liveability in towns would be much greater, the environment and ressources would be preserved and the poeple would be much healthier and less agressive. It's a shame that our politicians encourage the change of mobiltity so half hardedly if at all.
I've rode Velos and trikes exclusively for over 14 years. All home built. As for signaling, I occasionally use bright green gloves and point in the direction I want to go. Bad roads are dangerous and to be avoided if possible. My present machine has 3 way independent suspension. In the "in between" seasons, when the ambient temperature and dew point are the same, fogging becomes an issue. I use a small propane catalytic radiant heater to warm the canopy. The side flaps are adjustable so fresh air isn't a problem. As for power, all my bikes are electric with non geared rear hub motors. I live in a rural area, so ive installed twin 50.4v 45ah Lithium packs each with active balancing. Range is ~260km @ 32kph
That was excellent Chris.
I've got to get one of those, even if I have to build it myself. It looks like fun and a bit of work to move in traffic, but I'd do it if I had one.
Good vid. The Rohloff 500/14 hub gearbox allows gear changes while stopped. Spendy though.
thanks for the video. It's really useful
Really good video, really enjoyed that. Miss my mango!!
You are so right about the suspension. Absolute must! And electronic windscreen wiper.
@Bud Jensen For the fog I have added an extra layer on the outside of the visor of defogging plastic. Works very good.
If I'd live on a hill, I would go backwards... :-D
Great video Chris. Very informative and great for the wet weather trips. Enjoy, but mind the pot holes.
I love the information you gave in this video cause it gives me some interesting inside in ideas to design my own version of these. I'm currently only in the concept designing and information gathering phase still but I'm hoping to build my own and make more of them to sell to potential customers. Idk about the velomobile concept I believe a more stable version with 4 wheels could be better. Plus like you said in this video some type of suspension and a heat and cooling system depending on the season and weather. This video was great and very informative I appreciate it.
It is not just pedal assist for hills. Even with that aerodynamic shape riding against a stiff breeze can be difficult, as the assistance can reduce sweating in warmer temperatures.
They are exspensive to try out ,to know if they will work for you!
I ride a recumbent trike as opposed to a velo. To solve the problem of being stuck in a high gear when I stop, put a Rohlof on the back. The trike is fast down hills but was slow uphills, so put a motor on it, now fast up and down hills. Have only rear suspension which is fine as with a light grip , front suspension not needed. If I have to go over a big pothole though, will use the rear wheel.
The question is, does a velo easily fit in cycle lanes like a trike or too wide? Can it pull a trailer?
Hi Chris, very informative videos about the Challenger velomobile ! How fast can you approximately go for 15 or 20 minutes constantly ?
I am discussing this with some folks at the German velomobile forum, while I am waiting for my used Challenger to be delivered.
It's clear that this type of vehicle is a bit slower top speed wise than the "pavement-torpedoes" (Milan, Quest, DF, etc,), but I hope it's not that bad.
To be honest I think my challenger is not a fast velomobile. It seems best for commuting. Mine has uk-legal electric assist but only rear suspension. Relatively easy to maintain 17mph on smooth level surface. Could probably go slightly faster if i put in more effort. But my local roads are very uneven, lots of potholes, and hills. I use it primarily as weather protection. It is probably quicker than a mountain bike but other factors such as road infrastructure and other traffic mean there is little advantage in speed. Good for carrying stuff though.
@@devonchris8036 Thank you very much for the info and have always a save ride ! 😃👍
The windshield wiper looks like it obstructs quite a bit of the view (annoyance wise, not safety wise). Does it just look like that on video? What's it like when riding?
You might mention the clothing that dare not speak its name. Just running shoes and work clothes. No lycra needed.
Interesting video 😀. You mention that pedalling hard (at max cadence) on a smooth level road it’s possible to reach 30mph. What do you find to be a comfortable cruising speed that can be sustained?
Its a bit hard to say as I'm mostly limited by the terrible road surfaces. I have started reporting potholes but it would be a full time job to report all of them even just on the route I take to work. Secondly, on the roads you are often limited by traffic infrastructure such as traffic lights as well as by 'slow' cars (yes, you catch them up all the time but cannot easily overtake them). It takes slightly longer to get up to a good cruising speed than a bicycle, but is then easier to maintain. I would guess that I could pretty easily maintain say 16mph. Maybe a bit more. But I should emphasize that this velomobile is an older commuter machine and is definitely not a speed machine. It is slightly heavier than more modern carbon-fibre monocoque velomobiles. I am currently considering a change to a "Quest XS", 'Bulk' or 'Snoek' which are much lighter and much faster for the same leg power.... Just as soon as I win the lottery!
try the 50 mm gocycle tires, u will smile.
How much does this bike cost? 🤔
The current manufacturer of my velomobile is at www.eurocircuits.com/ec-velo/ . There are lots of other nice new carbon fibre velomobiles being built. See www.velomobileworld.com/
I bought my velomobile by effectively swapping my recumbent trike, so although more expensive than a bike, it wasn't too bad. But you do see some quite good ones advertised for around £3500. The latest brand new racers are around £10000!. Have a look on Facebook for velomobile groups. Or you can "relatively easily" build a coroplast shell over 20mm PVC electrical conduit frame and mount to most recumbent trikes. I built my first velomobile this way to see if I lliked the concept. I used a "Performer JC20" recumbent trike as it was the cheapest decent trike I could find at the time. They sound expensive for a fun toy, but if used to replace car journeys, a used one can be reasonable value for money. Remember: No licence, no road tax, no insurance, no MOTs, no parking fees , no congestion charges, exempt from speed limits(UK), can use phone whilst riding (UK, I know....its not a good idea but its not illegal), can use most bus and all bike lanes, simple bike maintenance so no expensive garages/servicing, no fancy extortion-driven electronics etc. You may even be able to sell advertising if you wished.
@@devonchris8036 Hi! Thank you very much for the detailed answer. Very useful.
didn't think any englishman was doing this
So practical but why do they look sooooo hideous... this one looks like a discount PC mouse with wheels
looks great