gmane.culture.transportation.humanpowered.velomobile

Re: Velomobile Digest, Vol 47, Issue 8

Peter Cox — 2008-06-27T09:01:36

The two paddle (Sora - I think) Shimano flat bar roadbike shifters are ver good for controlling a 9 speed block on the rear (as you rightly suggest). Use them all the time on the VK2 which has stupidly small t-bar tiller handlebars ( of my own construction) The front shifter is not so good however, requiring large amounts of thumb travel and pressure and genrally being pretty rubbish. (I have tried every combination of narrower b/b, and different trim settings to alleviate this until I finally got bored and gave up.) Currently using an SRAM twister since it can be trimmed better (no room for a bar-ender) and it can be gripped around the larger diameter edge - but the rubber coating on this does have a tendency to fragment after a year or so of constant use). there is also a cheap 'half pipe' grip (available from chain reaction last time I checked)which has a full handwidth of grip available to grab and this has been ok since it removes the normal 'only thumb and forefinger grip' issues. (I've used this on a couple of bike set-ups where the bars are wide enough ). It's also preferred shifter of choice for those with small hands. hope these musings help Peter -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Re: Quest shifters

Rob Hague — 2008-06-26T19:21:57

Thanks for the recommendation for these great gizmos. St John St Cycles in the UK stock a similar item but without the barrel adjusters - which seems to be an essential part. Yes, if you buy a set of Shimano barcons you get the barrel adjusters included, but I don't remember whether they came with the cheaper and nicer all- metal Dura Ace 7700 braze-on levers. So I've got a pair of the Paul thumbies on order. I was going to order from Harris Cyclery, having benefitted from late, great Sheldon Brown's help over the years until I found their $100 minimum order requirement. Oh well, Com Cycle USA came up with the best price including shipping to Europe. Rob On 25 Jun 2008, at 21:04, Keith Kohan wrote:

Re: Quest shifters

Rob Hague — 2008-06-25T19:32:23

On 25 Jun 2008, at 20:22, Chip Mefford wrote: Nice! Definitely on the 'possibles' list, especially given the current $ rate!!! Cheers, Rob -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Quest shifters

Rob Hague — 2008-06-25T19:02:18

I'm not a great fan of twist shifters. They seem to lack the precise shifting of the Dura Ace barcons that I've used on USS trikes for years but barcons don't seem suitable for use on the Quest's 'T' handlebar. Worse, the twist shifters are almost useless with wet/ sweaty hands - ok, wearing gloves or wrapping them in a hanky helps but I'l thinking of swapping them out. Any suggestions for a suitable alternative? I was considering a pair of Deore RapidFire-type two lever shifters but I guess a pair of 'old fashioned' thumbshifters might be worth a try if anyone still makes them in 9sp. Any suggestions from anyone who has tried alternatives to twist shifters on a 'T'-style bar? Rob -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Re: frame and outer construction on a velomobile

Juergen Weichert — 2008-06-17T03:58:02

See http://www.acclivity.ca/velomobile/ (not yet finished) Juergen Roger Chao wrote: -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

RE: Velomobile Digest, Vol 47, Issue 1

josh kerson — 2008-06-14T03:34:22

Help! I need to find a Vesatile Velomobile, perhaps used, here in the states... Any ideas, Please contact Josh< at >runaboutcycles.com They say it is a year wait, to get one from holland....sigh. Peace, Josh K. _________________________________________________________________ Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. https://www.invite2messenger.net/im/?source=TXT_EML_WLH_InviteFriends -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Coroplast fairing builders forum on facebook

Ethan Davis — 2008-06-12T13:13:30

Hi Folks, Daniel Runyan has started a Coroplast fairing builders forum on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15644592486. Regards, -Ethan www.velomobiles.net

Re: BMW discovers darlex

Dave Larrington — 2008-06-12T07:22:06

Typical piece of Chris Bangle design, which is to say hideous. I'm glad BMW promoted him to a role where he's no longer allowed access to a pencil :-)

Re: Velomobile - BMW discovers darlex

JOHN TETZ — 2008-06-12T01:02:54

Thanks Tom for the complement and thank you for posting the GINA concept. Of course I think its terrific. I particularly liked the video where they said the material can move and be lighter than a fixed metal (or composite) structure. Lets let materials talk in a different manner. Zote does that for me. I wonder why they haven't tried Zote. I'm not sure why there would be a need to change the shape of the body on a car. The layout of the internal framing gave really nice looking lines to the vehicle. With reasonable looking aerodynamics - standing still. The skin would probably flap and jiggle though when in motion. I really like the flexible fabric door concept. Getting in/out of a VM is one of the biggest problems. I can see this on a tiny light weight Trike or Quad - HP plus E Assist for running errands around town. Here a movable skin would be of real value to allow for cooling or foul weather protection. John Tetz -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Re: Repurposed aerial banner > wheelcovers

JW Stephens — 2008-06-11T23:31:33

There have been a couple of people who wanted some of this Spinnaker ripstop nylon, printed orange and black (this part). I sent them an arm span x about 30", folded into a 9x12 Tyvek envelope for $2.50. I'll put a button on my www.lobosolo.com page for others who want to "get some." Here's a picture of the first one off: http://www.lobosolo.com/wc/LeftFrontNr42.jpg So far the tape is a good idea. It makes them much easier to make than sewing in circles. One thing that the picture doesn't show is the little piece of Velcro pile that goes in the center so the bolt won't burn a hole in the wheelcover. On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 9:53 AM, JW Stephens mindspring.com> wrote:

Re: Velomobile - BMW discovers darlex

Tony Godshall — 2008-06-11T21:46:44

Not exactly a practical commute vehicle for most of us. On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 1:08 PM, Rob Hague wrhpv.com> wrote:

Re: Velomobile - BMW discovers darlex

Rob Hague — 2008-06-11T20:08:52

Ok, again not human power but at least no engine...... http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/news/the-greenbird/ Rob On 11 Jun 2008, at 19:46, Tom Olofsson wrote: -- Westcountry Recumbents - Derbyshire, England Tel: +44 (0)870 7401227 Email: mailto:rob< at >wrhpv.com Web: http://www.wrhpv.com -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Re: Velomobile - BMW discovers darlex

Chris Jordan — 2008-06-11T20:02:29

VeloKit - 1, & BMW - 0 in the completion and marketing department ! ;-) --- Tom Olofsson gmail.com> wrote: __Chris Jordan__ *countersTrike* -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Re: Velomobile - BMW discovers darlex

Tom Olofsson — 2008-06-11T18:49:20

I think it winked at me. On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 1:46 PM, Tom Olofsson gmail.com> wrote: -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Velomobile - BMW discovers darlex

Tom Olofsson — 2008-06-11T18:46:09

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/bmw-builds-a-ca.html It is not human powered but it does spark thought. Nice use of materials and it looks like something John Tetz would have built. tom o. -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

RE: Frame and Outer construction on a velomobile

Roger Chao — 2008-06-09T23:30:35

Yeh i think what we might have to do just to get a shape for it, it load her up, then maybe model it with glue and toothics and wire or something. We were going for an enclosed shell rather than poncho's helmets for two main reasons, ease of communication, warmth (like a tent/house) and storage, but yeh we have a long way to go, lots of time, and lots to learn before we decide! thanks again -roger www.steppebysteppe.com.au -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Repurposed aerial banner > wheelcovers

JW Stephens — 2008-06-09T16:53:56

For several months I have been working on securing a used, towed aerial banner to repurpose into sailcloth wheelcovers. Success! The company that I work for prints grand-format (17' wide inkjet printer) projects, one of which was several aerial banners for a wireless phone company. They are printed in vertical strips and welded together into a 150' x 40' final banner. The welding and prepping needs to be done by an FAA-certified company, so we had this banner returned to us so that we could reverse-engineer the finishing to do it in-house. Typically, this done, the banner would be trash. Basura. Landfill. But this one banner could be repurposed and fill the world's need for light-weight, easy-to-make fibre wheelcovers so I pestered my bosses until they were thoroughly sick of the harrasment and begged me to take my shit and get out. So to speak. Seventy pounds of printed and welded banner, too big to take home in my Versatile. Now I've got it home, beta-tested my project, and have this on offer. Get some for free! As much as you need. You pay for the packaging and shipping and throw me a bone for my time and effort. The fabric is "Spinnaker Cloth" like this: http://www.northsails.com/north_america/North_Cloth/fiber_to_fabric.html (scroll down to the bottom) printed with a very large-scale graphic. Most sections are orange with black specks. Some image a phone. What's cool about using this fabric: Instead of sewing it, you can use tape. I used one-inch 3M ATG tape, which leaves the adhesive in place as it winds up the paper carrier. The fabric is translucent, so you could illuminate your wheelwells with LEDs and get some interesting night light effects. You provide the fiberglass wand and sleeve, the plastic nipple clips (kinky!) and all of the rest of the stuff--all that I'm offering is to square-cut this cloth, fold it up, put it into an envelope with your address on it, and drop it into the mail. I have 9x12 tyvek envelopes that I send Carbon Spider visors in, that would work best for me for mailing this material. mailto:lray< at >mindspring.com if you are interested.

Frame and Outer construction on a velomobile

Kevin Budd — 2008-06-09T02:19:42

As I look at it I see that in a sense the vehicle is two side by side recumbents, and so perhaps you should think of it that way. Work to protect each person, and ensure that any equipment is in waterproof bags or boxes. It's hard to imagine it as a whole without all the other stuff you will carry. I suppose ponchos on the people, with helmets that have clear treated visors might seem too simple or primitive...? Can you use cardboard boxes to get a rough idea of the vehicle all loaded up? Since this is not a streamlined HPV, and it's stable on four wheels, aerodynamics are not so important. Kevin www.panflute.ca -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Re: Velomobile Digest, Vol 47, Issue 1

Tom Olofsson — 2008-06-08T20:08:17

Roge, I like the Quike and the idea of riding it up the steppes. What you are looking for is probably something close to this: http://www.velokit.com/ I would love to see some pictures of the Quike on water. tom o.

frame and outer construction on a velomobile

Roger Chao — 2008-06-08T12:25:39

Hi we have a tandem quad, but are finding it very difficult to create a fully enclosed shell for(was thinking fabric, due to the weight, and versatility to rollup/zip off certain sections depending on the weather), have a look at some pics of it at www.steppebysteppe.com.au Its not really a standard velomobile.Since,we're having trouble making a fairing for it at the moment(mainly creating the shape/ skeleton), has anyone done similar projects? Enclosing the quike itself is not for speed, but rather just to protect us from the elements (sun,wind,rain,snow etc), but it need to be aerodynamic enough from any direction so as not to become a sail. I think the whole problem is the size of it.....any ideas? Any suggestions of pics, or similar ones you've built, i'm running out of ideas! thanks -roge -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.

Re: SA bearing removal

Dave Wrath-Sharman — 2008-05-03T01:31:59

Either way makes no difference, the axle is shouldered and there are no retaining devices for the bearings, just press fits. But it will usually finish off the bearing. Your biggest problem is making sure your new (28mm?) bearing lands are absolutely concentric with the drum. I made a special pot jig for this. Dave -- This message comes to you via the Velomobile< at >bikelist.org mailing list, sponsored by http://ihpva.org/ Visit http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/velomobile to manage your subscription.