Twike Velomobile: a Look Inside the Best

Earlier this week, we took a look at a new, enclosed bicycle concept from Virtue Bikes. It was nice-looking enough, and certainly got our attention, but (as I mentioned in that article) it didn’t provide the sort of 360-degree weather protection that you get from a “proper” velo. In light of all that complaining and negativity, it seemed like a good time to highlight something positive – so, here’s a look inside the German TWIKE.

In my opinion, the TWIKE is the best pedal-electric velomobile you can buy today. Between its low weight, fully enclosed bodywork, top-shelf components, and nearly emissions-free operation, the TWIKE has a lot going for it – but that’s not the most impressive thing about the TWIKE. This is: the TWIKE has been in production for nearly 20 years.

That’s right, the TWIKE is not a concept. It’s not some guy asking for your money in exchange for hopes and promises and (if you’re lucky) a refund if it doesn’t work out. It’s a for-real company that will sell you a for-real product. A for-real, 50 MPH human-electric hybrid product that’s good enough to nearly win the Automotive X-Prize. A for-real product that features proven, real-world capabilities in all kinds of nasty weather conditions. A for-real product you can buy, right now, for about $6800 (in “Pioneer” trim, no less).

If, you know, you live in Europe.

In the past, TWIKEs have been offered in the US for more than $26,000 (back in the heady days of 2007-2008, when gas prices first hit $4/gal. and people still had credit), but- for the moment- that barrel is dry. It’s too mad, too, because I think there’s a tremendous demand for a highly efficient, $6800 pedal-electric trike with a 20 year track record of reliability. What do you guys think? Check out the TWIKE’s cockpit and pedal drive, below, then peruse the specs and let us know what you think in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Inside the TWIKE

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TWIKE Technical Specs

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Type of vehicle
EU	Three-wheel motor vehicle (2002/24/EG)
CH	Dreirädriges Motorfahrzeug
US	Motorcycle – Threewheeler
Dimensions / mm
Length x width x heigth	2650 × 1200 × 1250
Wheel base	1870
Wheel gauge	1090
Construction
Chassis	Tube frame and aluminium space frame with roll-over bar, 3-point safety belts
Vehicle body	Thermoplast LuranS®
Steering	Joystick with connection rod and damper
Motor
Type	3-phase-asynchronous motor with integrated reductiongearbox (11,6:1) and differential
Actual power output	3 kW at 2930/min
Maximum power	9 kW
Nominal voltage	230 Volt
Drive system	IGBT Inverter with controller and HMI
Pedal drive	integrated
Driving performance
Drag coefficient	Cw=0,325
Maximum speed	85 km/h
Acceleration 0-60 km/h	9 sec
Range per charging	more than 500 km
Max. climbing ability	22%
Battery
Type	LiMn, 392 cells
Nominal voltage	353 Volt DC
Capacity	4,8 – 5,8 Ah
Energy	1,7 – 2,1 kWh
Weight	19 kg
Energy density	96 – 116 Wh/kg
Charging time	about 1 km/min
Consumption
Efficient	4 kWh / 100km
City-cycle	6 kWh / 100km
Highway-cycle	7 kWh / 100km
Energy equivalent	0,4 – 0,7 l fuel / 100km
Mountains	+1,77 kWh / 1.000 evelation gain
Weighti / kg
Empty weight without battery	220 kg
Permissible maximum weight	505 kg
Axle load limit, front wheel	145 kg
Axle load limit, back wheel	360 kg
Chassis
Independent wheel suspension	On rear and front wheels
Wheels	Aluminum rims, front wheel 1,35“x16”, rear wheel 1,85“x16”
Tire	front wheel 2 1/4 – 16” (20×2,25) or 2 1/2 2 – 16” (20×2,50),
Brake system	2-circuit hydraulic system, front wheel disk break, rear wheels drum break, electric motor brake (recuperation with cruise control)
Luggage space
Dimensions / mm	Length x width x heigth: 400 × 1150 × 650
Volume for luggage	(with 2 seats) / co-pilot seat easily removable

Photos/technical info. courtesy of FINE Mobile GmbH.

Virtue Launches Pedalist Velomobile in Las Vegas

As urban populations rise and more and more commuters begin to push themselves to work on pedal power, bicycle companies are working hard to attract their attention. In a bid to score some positive press and, maybe, a few extra clicks to their website earlier this week, Virtue bikes unveiled their latest creation: the Pedalist velomobile.

Marketed as a bicycle with “car-like” weather protection, lighting, and even turn signals, the Virtue Pedalist looks like a convincing velomobile. “Maybe you really could pedal to an office job in decent clothes without ruining them in the rain,” I thought. Looking inside, however, reveals an open floor and fender-less, splash-guard-less front wheels which, you know, throw that idea completely out the window. What the Pedalist seems to amount to, then, is a 150-200 lb. (final weight targets haven’t been hit, yet) sweatbox of a trike that will ruin your grown-up pants just as surely as a standard roadie would in the wet.

Also, you’ll sweat like a pig on the set of Epic Meal Time if you tried to pedal this nearly 200 lb. sweatbox up a hill in the heat of summer.

All the same, the Virtue Pedalist accomplished its mission. We’re all here reading about Virtue Bikes, and – to my eyes, at least – they look like they make some pretty good stuff. You can check out their full line, from Amsterdam-y commuters to full on cargo trikes, then let us know what you think of them in the comments, below.

Virtue Bicycles “Pedalist” Velomobile

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Source | Images: Virtue Bike, via Gizmag.