A velomobile is a muscular vehicle propelled by the muscular force of the driver. It is distinguished from a bicycle by its stability, since it is not required to maintain balance while riding a velomobile. But in order to make such a car with your own hands, some skills and abilities are required.
Instructions
Step 1
The design of the velomobile should begin with the definition of its type. Depending on the scope of application, velomobiles can be divided into sports, walking, hiking and multifunctional. Also decide if your car is going to be a single or two-seater, whether you are going to equip it with a cab or fairing.
Step 2
The limitations of building a velomobile are determined by the weight and cost you can afford. The lower the weight, the higher the cost. We have to consider weight characteristics as the main criterion when choosing a velomobile design.
Step 3
Before creating drawings, make a choice in favor of one or another scheme of the future velomobile. A single unit hardly makes sense to design. Calculations show that a single-seater velomobile with three or four wheels will be unnecessarily heavy. But if you still decide to stop at such a car, choose a three-wheel scheme (trike).
Step 4
Start modeling the velomobile with basic components such as the seat and the bottom bracket with pedals. If you settled on a foam seat, keep in mind that the surface of the body adjacent to such a seat can sweat a lot, regardless of the season.
Step 5
Make the frame from a steel profile tube. Use synthetic fabric for the seat upholstery. Insert a strong cord around the perimeter of the casing, leaving its ends free. When tightening the trim over the seat frame, tighten the ends of the cord so that the trim fits snugly around the seat. The seat must be rigidly attached to the frame.
Step 6
Carriage mounting is possible in several versions, it depends on the design features of the velomobile. It is possible to mount the carriage on clamps, in this case it will be possible to move it along the frame. It makes sense to do this if the seat does not have an adjustment for the distance to the pedal mechanism.
Step 7
The most important task when assembling a velomobile is wheel fastening. Traditional hubs are designed for a fork, but you need a cantilever mount where the wheel is only attached to one side, much like car wheels. The wheel mount must support the load on a level road.
Step 8
Shock absorbers are used to cushion impacts when driving over irregularities in the road. The wheel is suspended on hinges, while the weight of the velomobile is transferred to the wheel through a spring. The simplest shock absorbers go equally well in both directions, so when pedaling the car can rock. This is possible when hitting resonance. Improved models have hydraulic anti-reverse.
Step 9
When designing shock absorbers, the chain should be positioned so that it does not compress the shock absorber when pulled. Otherwise, pedaling will be difficult or impossible. Therefore, run the chain closer to the suspension pivots.
Step 10
Theoretical calculations may differ from practice, so be prepared for the fact that to create a bicycle with your own hands, you will have to show considerable imagination, patience and perseverance. Of course, in a home workshop, you will not be able to compete with industrial enterprises that produce bicycle equipment. But your first velomobile will be able to ride as well as a factory bike.
