news

Look at the design page for info on the plywood velomobile construction.

Saturday 30 March 2013

Laminating the wheel box

Joost has laminated the heavy loaded parts of the wheel box on both sides. He used 160 grams glass fabric ('keper') and epoxy resign. By applying glass on both sides of the plywood Joost has created a sandwich panel: Very strong stiff, and light. I like the idea that we can reinforce heavy loaded parts of the body in this very simple and effective way.

I think Joost will get the plywood velomobile on the road next week! I have bought a QuestXS and we plan to compare the aerodynamics of both velomobiles. For me the QuestXS is a very nice alternative for commuting. The shape is very nice but she is rather heavy (34 kg). I wonder how much less the aerodynamics of the plywood velomobile is. The plywood velomobile weighs 23 kg only.

Developing the plywood velomobile is a lot of work. I try to involve others into the project. Let me know if you are interested.

sanded

making a pattern


one hardly sees the laminated portion

here you also see there is no connection along the chain: the body is strong and (almost) stiff enough without it





Monday 18 March 2013

Joost is fixing the body

My new colleague Joost is fixing the body. Together we have glued the broken parts as good as possible and with remarkable success. Joost will laminate glass fabric on both sides. Laminating the plywood on heavy loaded places is a very simple and effective way to reinforce the body.