Electric Bikes - Velomobile idea.

This idea has been percolating around in my head for a while now, tell me what you think.

Start with a very aerodynamic tadpole trike based velomobile. gear it high on the pedaling side, then fit with an electric motor capable of pushing it to the max permissible ebike speed.

You can now use the motor to help get you off the line and up hills faster than you would normally would with a heavy trike, but when conditions permit, you can use the aerodynamics to get up to higher speeds by pedaling.

comments?

I like it.

Of course it's already been done a few thousand times. Here's one of my my own delta versions that didn't work out well enough to warrant a body.

If you've got deep pockets, there are a number of velomobiles with electric power assist. Here's just one.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbHDZMrHwW4

I like this one. It's almost usable.

That one was made by Lightfoot Cycles in Montana. Unfortunately, due to the poor economy, they've shelved it. Here's a video of it in action. FYI, they're selling the demo unit for $3400 (cycle and shell, if you want the Bionx system with it add another $1100). http://www.lightfootcycles.com/demos.php


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJLhDlxBss

I like it.

Of course it's already been done a few thousand times.
That is exactly what mine is. As an experiment- in 2003 I completely enclosed a TerraTrike and found it to go like a bat! In 2004, plans and investments- then by 2005: I had an operable velomobile. By using an inexpensive trike that accepted upgrades and putting the full fairing on it and sealing it up- what is in my avatar is a 5 year old project that worked. It is only a 36V hub motor but it often goes faster than I can pedal.