Author Topic: I have bought a Miilan (Read 10894 times)

Ruthie · « **Reply #25 on:** 13 October, 2016, 07:56:45 pm »

What does it look like naked?

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #26 on:** 13 October, 2016, 08:25:04 pm »

I believe it's a monocoque and thus doesn't do naked.

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #27 on:** 13 October, 2016, 08:41:46 pm »

Correct, as with many velomobiles.

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #28 on:** 13 October, 2016, 09:01:03 pm »

Quote from: delthebike on 13 October, 2016, 06:41:37 pm

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 13 October, 2016, 05:25:40 pm
It's all about the bike!
Don't forget the legs and having aerodynamic boobs moulded into the body work!

I was just at the monthly Fahrrad Stammtisch (bike discussion as a thinly-veiled excuse to meet for a meal and beer) and read this out to them. Cue much hilarity as the word in German which most sounds like "boobs" is their word for young men. So misunderstandings are possible.

My chum Hartmut who is seriously considering buying a Milan, QuattroVelo or Strada thinks the Milan is the most beautiful velomobile. I know lots of people who think it ugly. I'm not entirely sure myself.

Here is a DF next to a Strada doing a bit of Partnerwear colour-wise

I like the Strada's look. The DF's nose (particularly this orange) isn't quite my thing.

Here is Millie with some friends showing her curves

As yes Ruthie, she is a selbsttragende Karosserie, so her form/shape makes the structure. I can remove the flap thingie that I use to get in and out (which is called riding Badewanne or bathtub) but otherwise it's always an enclosed machine.

My Haube (hood thingie) arrived today. I shall fit it tomorrow. Then will be (mostly) rainproof.

ElyDave · « **Reply #29 on:** 13 October, 2016, 09:09:56 pm »

I'm not normally one for anthropomorphising but they all look cheerful to me

PaulM · « **Reply #30 on:** 13 October, 2016, 09:31:13 pm »

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 13 October, 2016, 05:25:40 pm

Decided to go for a bit of a speedy ride yesterday to see what I could do.

31km at 32.5km/h.

Compare that with my max ever in Penelope (with optimum conditions - which I didn't have yesterday) which was an average of 25 over a similar distance.

That's impressive. I keep forgetting about the Milan. I wrote it off as being too extreme but maybe not. Does your have rear suspension?

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #31 on:** 13 October, 2016, 10:08:53 pm »

They all, but especially the Milan, remind me of 1950s streamlining in racing cars.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #32 on:** 13 October, 2016, 10:36:49 pm »

My chum Miles Kingsbury has recently taken delivery of the first QuattroVelo in BRITAIN:

PA090083 by Mr Larrington, on Flickr, which rather reminds me of a Lotus Eleven. There are a Several more due to arrive in Blighty imminently.

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #33 on:** 14 October, 2016, 08:07:07 am »

Quote from: PaulM on 13 October, 2016, 09:31:13 pm

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 13 October, 2016, 05:25:40 pm
Decided to go for a bit of a speedy ride yesterday to see what I could do.

31km at 32.5km/h.

Compare that with my max ever in Penelope (with optimum conditions - which I didn't have yesterday) which was an average of 25 over a similar distance.

That's impressive. I keep forgetting about the Milan. I wrote it off as being too extreme but maybe not. Does your have rear suspension?

Yes it does, and it's actually more comfortable than I thought it would be. The seat is not ideal for my womanly curves but I managed 215km last Sunday in it, my longest ever ride, with no issues.

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #34 on:** 14 October, 2016, 08:08:10 am »

Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2016, 10:36:49 pm

My chum Miles Kingsbury has recently taken delivery of the first QuattroVelo in BRITAIN:

PA090083 by Mr Larrington, on Flickr, which rather reminds me of a Lotus Eleven. There are a Several more due to arrive in Blighty imminently.

I still have my Quattrovelo on order.

A friend is visiting Dronten tomorrow morning to try one out and if he likes it he will take over my order.

fd3 · « **Reply #35 on:** 14 October, 2016, 06:44:00 pm »

Four wheels ... Why?

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #36 on:** 14 October, 2016, 07:03:27 pm »

They corner much better plus luggage capacity plus stability with rear flat plus etc. Lots of reasons.

Asterix, the former Gaul. · « **Reply #37 on:** 15 October, 2016, 08:04:16 am »

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 13 October, 2016, 05:25:40 pm

Decided to go for a bit of a speedy ride yesterday to see what I could do.

31km at 32.5km/h.

Compare that with my max ever in Penelope (with optimum conditions - which I didn't have yesterday) which was an average of 25 over a similar distance.

With my trike my max was probably 22km/h.

It's all about the bike!

Bit like this, really:

Quint · « **Reply #38 on:** 15 October, 2016, 01:11:50 pm »

Quote from: asterix on 15 October, 2016, 08:04:16 am

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 13 October, 2016, 05:25:40 pm
Decided to go for a bit of a speedy ride yesterday to see what I could do.

31km at 32.5km/h.

Compare that with my max ever in Penelope (with optimum conditions - which I didn't have yesterday) which was an average of 25 over a similar distance.

With my trike my max was probably 22km/h.

It's all about the bike!

Yes, I can see DC carrying his hollibob luggage in that

Bit like this, really:

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #39 on:** 16 October, 2016, 05:11:58 pm »

106km today at 30.5 km/h.

I love the speed of the Milan!

Kim · « **Reply #40 on:** 16 October, 2016, 05:18:27 pm »

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 16 October, 2016, 05:11:58 pm

106km today at 30.5 km/h.

Cor. It really is about the bike.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #41 on:** 21 October, 2016, 07:06:44 pm »

What is it like inside? I presume that as you've no need to put a foot down, there's a solid floor.

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #42 on:** 21 October, 2016, 07:17:56 pm »

I've got an open foot hole on the left as you sometimes need to push yoursełf backwards.

It's comfortable enough inside and warm. Goes like the clappers too!

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #43 on:** 21 October, 2016, 07:35:37 pm »

Quote from: Auntie Helen on 21 October, 2016, 07:17:56 pm

I've got an open foot hole on the left as you sometimes need to push yoursełf backwards.

It's comfortable enough inside and warm. Goes like the clappers too!

That is abundantly evident. Battle Mountain next year?

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #44 on:** 21 October, 2016, 08:18:43 pm »

IIRC the women's trike record is just under 55 mph

Auntie Helen · « **Reply #45 on:** 27 November, 2016, 08:25:47 pm »

I had my Schlumpf Mountain Drive fitted 3 weeks ago but since then it has started not to work properly - it's rotating under the load within the bottom bracket area. The Milan has an extra thin boom (lightweight I guess) and the tube thingie the pedals (and in this case, Schlumpf) go into is only 1.5mm instead of 2.5mm. So the chaps at the bike shop couldn't tighten the Schlumpf up to the required Newtonness as the aluminium was bending.

Anyway, this meant I was stuck going up a reasonable hill in my lowest gear of the 65t chainring which was not a very low gear at all. Not fun.

The bike shop are sourcing a new bottom bracket end from Velomobiel.nl which is of the thicker variety, so hopefully my Schlumpf will work fine again soon. I had got very used to having it and find it an excellent solution - but only when it works!

sojournermike · « **Reply #46 on:** 27 November, 2016, 11:26:28 pm »

I wish I hadn't seen this thread - what a lovely velomobile, and the quattrovelo is a pedal powered lotus 11 - perfect. Given I live in North Yorkshire, please assure me they'd be rubbish in the hill country

Mike

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #47 on:** 27 November, 2016, 11:36:58 pm »

Still waiting to hear back from Miles Kingsbury about his QV but there are some significant lumps, if not a long as Yorkshire ones, around High Wycombe.

sojournermike · « **Reply #48 on:** 27 November, 2016, 11:49:13 pm »

Ah, he's still climbing then;) I look forward to hearing the outcome.

I've dreamed of building such a thing since I was about 10 - perhaps next year I should give it some thought.

LMT · « **Reply #49 on:** 30 November, 2016, 10:49:44 pm »

If anyone fancies a road trip over to France, Cycles JV have a varied selection of velomobiles which you can try/rent etc. Or Belgium to test ride a WAW.

Author Topic: I have bought a Miilan (Read 10894 times)

LMT