Monday, November 23, 2015

End of November update


End of November update
I have not been posting as regularly recently; I’ve been too busy and trying to squeeze-in a few rides before I put the DF in storage.  I’m not at the top of my game now and will have to wait until the spring before I get back in riding shape.  In the mean time, I will have to ride my trainer and keep-up with velomobile developments.  

Alligt

Here is some info on the 20in composite velomobile wheel. The wheel size is 406-27 with 10 spokes.  It can accommodate several hubs.  The wheels are injection molded using Nylon with a reinforcement of 40% fiberglass. The 27 mm wide rim is not suitable for narrow tires.  Alligt sells the matching hub for the wheel with an adaptor to fit Sturmey Archer 90mm brakes.  The adapter is pressed and bolted to permanently attach to the hub.  The adaptor also provides additional cooling for the brakes.


The new wheel will be sold through Alligt’s distributors like Web shop Dutch Bike Bits (www.dutchbikebits.com)

Cycle JV

The finished Mulsanne was unveiled this week.  The velomobile is carbon-fiber black.  We’ll have to wait and see how the testing is

Velomobiel

Allert posted a report on the Blog https://velomobiel.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/observaties/ some information on the testing and refinement process of the QuattroVelo.  Allert reported that the rear suspension using a live axle will make the rear end dance slightly when passing bumps or potholes on the road.  Allert looked at possible alternatives to address the situation but so far these created more serious issues.  As a result, you will see the QuattroVelo dance a bit over bumps and potholes.
Velomobiel also reported that the rear wheel wells will have to be slightly larger too

Allert uploaded a video showing how a flat on one of the rear wheel would impact road handling on the QuattroVelo.  Well it looks like the rider will hardly notice the flat tire, the velomobile appears to track very well. 

A number of people visited Velomobiel recently to have a chance to test ride the QuattroVelo.  I read a number of positive reviews from those who had a chance to view and sit in the new velomobile.  One comment that comes back regularly is that the storage space was smaller than they expected; it will not accommodate a case of beer!  Maybe this is because velomobile rider should not drink!

IntercityBike

Back to the future?  ICB announced that they have a new shock but it uses springs like the old Quest shock.  Some will remember that there were issues with the Quest shock when crossing rumble strips or even railroad tracks.  As a result some riders lost control or almost lost control of their velomobiles.  The springs were unable to dampen the bumps on the road fast enough and instead amplified the vertical movement making the velomobile jump up and down uncontrollably.   I hope the new shock has been tested in these conditions.

Velomobile Rescue

There is an excellent initiative undertaken by participants on the German Forum to publish velomobile rider rescue instruction including an information card, a video and even QR code to access the information on-line.   The video shows how to remove an unconscious rider.  Currently the information is for the Strada but could be adapted to other models.  The information is currently only available in German at the moment but hopefully, with the help ot other riders, it will be available soon in English and hopefully other languages.  It is still a work in progress but I think it may eventually save lives.  


No comments:

Post a Comment