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