And the winner is....

For the past couple of weeks, I've been having a debate in my head. Delta vs Tadpole...Delta vs Tadpole. Each approach has it's advantages and problems. There are lots of examples of both. So, almost on a whim, I just ordered the Trident since I figured I needed to do SOMETHING.

Before I finally pushed "buy" I at least compared the specifications listed with parts I could find on the web. I've concluded that as long as the frame is OK, then the overall bike should be able to be maintained over the years even if I can't order parts direct through Actionbent. If the reality lives up to the specs (and with a good ebay rating, I think this is reasonably likely) then this should be a good bike.

Here's the specs as I saw them on Ebay.

Specifications:
Frame : Cr-Moly
Seat : Cr-Moly frame with mesh cloth
Handlebar : cr-moly Direct Steering, Ackerman-Compensated
Shifter : Sram Centera grip shifter
Lever : alloy with brake lock
F/derailleur : Shimano Sora 3 sp
R/derailleur : Shimano Acera 8 sp
Crank : 52/42/30T alloy w/protective chain cover for safe in-car transport
Freewheel : Sram PG -850 11-32
Chain : KMC Z72
Rim : Alex DA16 double wall.
Spoke : 14# stainless
Tire : Kenda KWEST 100PSI 2 x 20" in front , 1 x 26" in rear
Pedal : HTI alloy one side clip with top clip
Brake : ProMax Disc brakes
H/t parts : First BI
B.B. : BB-7420AL
Wheelbase: 41" -- Outermost width 32"
Overall Len: 75" (variable due to telescoping boom)
Seat Height: 9" ground to base
B/B Height: 15"
Load Rating: 120kg or 265 pounds
Weight: 38 pounds
Folded size: L x W x H --43" x 28" x 20.5"
Specifications can change SLIGHTLY, we will work with you to resolve any issues.

How to start...

For this project, I've decided to use a pre-made trike for a chassis. This is mostly due to limits of having adequate shop facilities to create my own frame. Using a pre-built trike should save some time so I can concentrate on making a velomobile covering.

Here are some models I'm considering. One of the difficulties I have had is separating true opinions from "buzz" paid opinions. So these reviews are mostly on opinions, not on fact.

Here are the top contenders I considered for the project...

TERRATRIKE-CRUISER
The good
It's a tadpole which means there is no need for a differential for the rear wheel. So, hill climbing power should be straighter than a one-wheel drive delta. The bike also gets very good reviews on quality. Reviews on durability suggest that it would be acceptable in this category as well. Should I decide to do the easy thing of getting a velo kit for it, they already exist. Parts availability appears to also be very good. Perhaps that's why it gets awards as a top selling bike.
The Bad
Being a tadpole, it's low to the ground so roadway obstacles may be an issue. Also, the front gear telescoping pole is not adjustable so unloading it on Craigs list or ebay becomes difficult. There may be telescoping sections that can be added on but that's unclear. There are other higher and lower models too. Overall, it looks like a nice line of bikes with the cruiser being the upper end of what I'm willing to put toward this project.
The Ugly
Price. Not that it misses much on this.


ACTIONBENT - TRIDENT
The good
This model seems to have a large gear range, larger than normal ground clearance, a mesh seat and disc brakes (important for wet driving). Having the ability to fold also might allow me to transport it by car if I want to ride it in another location. It also has an adjustable front extension for different sized riders. Being a folding trike, it's shipped in a mostly assembled state so putting it together should be rather easy. If I time my bid on Ebay properly, I can have all this for around $1200 with free shipping!
The bad
Of course, it's low which makes it not able to be seen in traffic as easily as a delta. As for overall value, this is hard to tell. It is a rather new model which may account for the lack of opinions. It's only sold over the Internet and is not shipped assembled so there is a potential for some shipping damage. Also, there are no retail dealers (ebay and 2nd hand market are the only distribution channels) so there is no way for me to test drive the bike. However, never having tried a tadpole, I doubt I would miss the "perfect fit" that may be eluding me.
The Ugly
There have been some customers who have reported glowing reviews while a few customers appear to be very unsatisfied. However, these customers apparently seem to be few in number. Due to these concerns, ordering such a bike is a risky but possibly very rewarding thing to do.

AMERICAN TRI-CRUISER
The good
Hey, it's made in America! The trike seems to be very customizable with the manufacturer willing to do modifications as requested. One such modification can be seen in the rear, is a platform one customer had since they wanted their dog to go for a ride too. It also is one of the highest tadpole designs giving both good ground clearance and a few more inches of visibility from other cars. Reviews are few, but generally good. It's apparently heavy construction also should be able to allow modification to being a velomobile easier than other tadpole models I've seen. At first glance, it also has one of the lowest initial base prices too.
The bad
The first thing I noticed was that it appears to lack camber and caster on the front wheel steering knuckle. It's hard to tell from the photos, but I would think this would make the trike a bit harder to turn since wheels would need to skid somewhat in turns. Also, the padded seat may appeal to some riders but I think I would prefer the mesh for better ventilation.
The ugly
The base price $799 doesn't include much. A more realistic price with options I would want such as front disk brakes, adjustable pedal boom, cargo shelf, dual stick steering, full gear range, fenders, "tuff frame" and shipping makes a more realistic price of $1984. In spite of a tricked-out version of this bike likely being best for this project, it is beyond my budget right now.

SUN - EZ-3 Delta
The good
If I was going for a Delta, the SUN family of bikes would probably be the way I would go. The EZ-3 entry level bike or similar model seems to be what was used in making a "rain shadow" type of velomobile. It appears to have high traffic visibility, good ground clearance and the option of having low gears installed for better hill climbing. Although not domestic, parts availability appears to be very good through the dealer network. It is also one of the few trikes that can be test driven by me before purchase. Different riders can adjust the seat forward and backward. Also, at only $899, it is affordable. The EZ-3 AX is one up from the base model at around $1400. It has an aluminum frame plus better components and a somewhat safer design. It can even sport a front mounted hub motor! An under seat steering model is also available (the EZ-3 USX) which has no handle bars in front. Instead, steering is done under the seat. That probably would be a better layout for what I'm trying to do.
The bad
It's primary advantage, price, is eroded by shipping charges (or just gas, sales tax and a lost day driving to the nearest dealer if I fetch one myself). Having two wheels in the back probably makes it go up hills a little unevenly since power looks to be applied only to one rear wheel instead of both. Even with no faring, these are heavy trikes. That means a low top-speed. The large size also means transporting it via car would be problematic.
The Ugly
At speeds above 20 mph, handling has been described as unsteady to unsafe. I can imagine any velo structure I built on top would probably magnify any handling problems that existed. Also, the low price under seat steering model can take a smaller faring but it costs more money. The EZ-3 model is quite heavy (at 67lbs) and is not a folding model. The EZ-3 USX, which is the underseat steering model, also is quite heavy but has a folding feature. However, folding it doesn't appear to reduce size enough to be useful. So, future transport of any of these deltas could be a challenge.

Quest for low cost transport in a snowy wet climate

The basic transport criteria are:

• solution should use little or no fossil fuel in operation
  
• solution needs to be low maintenance
• solution needs to be faster than walking
• solution needs to be more convenient than using a bus
• solution needs to be able to be used on existing roadways
  
• solution needs to shield occupant from rain and windchill
• Effective range should be around 10 miles
  

Optional: Would like to scale curbs for occasionally using bike path or sidewalk instead of roadway on heavily traveled roadways.

If money was no object, this model from Cabriovelo.com would be my preference. It's a delta design, with what appears to be under seat steering. A good thing about this design is that it's probably tall enough to be noticed in traffic. A bad thing is that having two wheels in the back makes for a dilemma. Either one-wheel is powered and the other is not (traction problem) or it has a solid axel (turning problems) or it would need a differential (expensive). Tadpole designs, with a single driving wheel in the back avoid the drive wheel dilemma. However, in spite of dual wheel drive in the rear, this velo has some good features. One good feature is the fabric sides which I assume would keep side wind out yet would be easily stowable when not in use. Another feature I like is the flat windshield with wiper. In my area, road spray is an issue and having the option of staying inside to clear it off would be very nice. The back also has what appears to be a large cargo area. Looking at the front, I notice it also has lighting and possibly signals too. However, one quality I don't like is the price. I'm sure the cost to deliver to my home would be about as much as a small petrol powered car. Upon closer examination, the Cabriovelo has another interesting surprise to it. It's a convertible! The windscreen folds up and out of the bonnet (hood). The sides are fabric so they can be stowed easily. It also seems to have ample cargo room in the rear of it. Nice design! Looking at other photos (not shown) it appears to use a custom trike frame with under-seat steering. They also had a lower cost prototype they were testing with which is interesting to look at.

Some of the upper end trikes are almost cars. The Go-One and Aerorider fall into these categories (not shown). Yea, they are heavy and are barely bikes. However, with electric assist, they must be pretty nice rides. Unfortunately, being low and slow probably also makes these vehicles cop magnets. Since the vehicle motor laws are a bit unclear when HPV becomes a vehicle that needs registration, I can see why these have not caught on. Plus, with all velomobiles, there is the issue of parking since they can't just lock up to a bicycle stand due to their size. Oh, and also the price tag which can easily exceed $10k.


Another design I like is the Rainshadow. The simple design, built with cloroplast (plastic cardboard). It won't win any performance awards. However, that is because it's primary mission isn't speed. Rather, it is keeping it's occupant out of the rain and snow. The target price of this vehicle appeared to be $1500 without the trike. Adding a basic under-steer trike would probably make the completed vehicle be a bit north of $3000. Still, even if it lacks the style and speed of the Cabriovelo, it's better than walking. The price difference could also buy a really good sweater and quite a few hand warmers!

The "velo-kit" looks like a good attempt at providing an economic way to get from one part of town to another. The first thing one notices is that it's very clearly fabric. Then second thing to notice is of course the price which is substantially lower than any solid body kit I'm aware of. Being fabric based, other desirable qualities start becoming apparent too. It doesn't have the noise issues of a solid shell. It also can be transported by car without resorting to needing to use a trailer! So, for a low cost but practical solution for keeing out of the rain and wind, this in my opinion represents the most sensible way of doing so.

However, I do like having at least an illusion of protection with a solid shell around me. So, I kept looking for yet another solution. This one was made by John Sturdy who drives this creation in Ireland. It looks to be made of plexiglass or similar material held in place by an aluminum frame. Although it won't win awards for being areodynamic, it does look like it would provide good visibility and also apparently provides protection against occasional pet hazards too. As for material cost, this type of do-it-yourself project would probably be somewhere betwee a fabric kit and a molded fairing approach.

So clearly, some impressive sustainable transportation solutions already exist. However, in my opinion, there is still some room for improvement. So, that's what this next project is all about. It's about trying to make a low energy vehicle (ideally an HPV) a practical form of transport in a snowy, rainy environment. The BugE was one answer. It works, but it has been very expensive in time and money to build. Perhaps a velo-trike would give acceptable performance instead.

So, to summarize what has already been done, here's what appears to be available.

1) Molded faring Examples
velocityvelos.com and a Reg Rodero's Stormy Weather project.

2) Coroplast Examples
CarFreeChalenge and a group of velo enthusiasts on Facebook

3) Fabric faring examples
velo-kit.com

4) plexiglass sheet
John Sturdy's design