[hawkinspeter]

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/a-real-life-pod-racer-but-with-pedals-ars-checks-out-a-velomobile/

Topic

[chrisonabike]

Welcome to the Dark Side*! 

Welcome to the Dark Side*!  It is a very varied church – if a rather tiny one.

Get yours here (other dealers are available), they’re going like er… very expensive, niche, custom-made hot cakes with a long waiting list.

There’s easier steering if e.g. you’ve hand, arm or balance issues **.  Efficient all-weather transport, carrying luggage, transporting things for your business.  There’s racing, of course, you can race them … did I mention going fast?

They might be another fuel efficient “car alternative”.  Some thought so during the late 70s oil crisis (e.g. this one) but …

BUT … cost, availability, even less “one size fits many” than normal bikes.  Oh, and and parts / support (there is a lot more “engineering” than most bikes).  Plus they’re really bulky, heavy things.  Good luck locking one to a lamp-post (or anything really) and finding it unmolested on return.  Or even wheeling it into the office and putting it next to your desk.  Stairs?  Lifts?  Narrow corridors with doors and turns?

Finally apparently pretty noisy inside – which I can believe having had a recumbent with a tailbox.  I wasn’t even in it but it acted like a resonator for all the chain and pulley rattling / bumps and bangs.

* Still, I’m rather jealous as I’ve never actually ridden one.

** Of course any trike/quad should do that.  The universe of possibilities opens up – you can easily steer with one hand (joystick, twisting tiller), there are all kinds of 2 hand variations e.g. “tank” style).

[Author]

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