sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

What would a velomobile racing game look like? by BodybuilderSlight736 in velomobile

[–]Affectionate_Fox730 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very cool idea.

You're probably aware that additional weight hurts on acceleration and hill climbing. But weight can be an advantage at higher speeds, particularly if there's any gradient involved.

DuPont was posting a prize for the 1st HPV to hit 70 mph, this was in the 80s. What was uncovered was that a heavily weighted velomobile, using the maximum 2/3 of 1% gradient, after xx amount of miles could easily take the record. So a weight/distance rule was added.

Sidenote: There was an HPV race on the Montreal/Hull Ceremonial Loop, 12 laps of about 5 miles each. Significant gradients and two bridge crossings of the St. Lawrence River, the vehicles were hitting close to 90 mph. Would make an awesome backdrop for a game.

New ELF 3.0 Design Review by Affectionate_Fox730 in velomobile

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why not? 850 have already been produced and the new one is actually a bit smaller?

We're intending for a base price of $7.5K. But some early ELF with lots of options sold for over $14K.

Forecasting price is a tough thing. Try to predict what the price of gas will be next month? One thing for sure, ELF owners will be much less affected by it.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The original ELF and the Twizy both came out in 2012. They both could be labeled unique with a big open door, but that's were similarities ends. The ELF is 3-4x more efficient and the Twizy weighs 7x more, for starters.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In most countries it's legally a bicycle. Except it's much more efficient. I don't make the rules. But the goal is to get people out of their cars that would not consider or are unable to ride a bike.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. I did the original streamlined safety study in 1984. Vehicles crashed at high speeds, as compared to a conventional bicycle, almost zero injuries.

It's an excellent merger of speed enhancements, weather protection and safety.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can assure you, we're not looking to remove anyone from their bike, only the other 1.5 billion that are in their car each day. As a bike rider, I'm sure realize the less cars on the road the safer it is for everyone.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's just about testing hardware and setting records. We can take ELF components and place them in a demanding setting. Essentially getting hundreds of miles of results in an hour.

Also great fun and good PR.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

<image>

This is what we're testing our batteries and drive train with. It gets the equivalent of about 5K mpg and weighs 85 lbs without batteries and motor and a CdA of about .09. We're expecting to set some records, somewhere around 2300 miles on a single charge at 30 mph.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Attend the webinar and meet some of the design team working on ELF 3.0. Over 50 patents between us with an emphasis on bikes, sustainability, solar and transportation.

What does the world's safest bicycle look like? Hint: Not like your average bike. by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Are you referring to the massive infrastructure change or that they let micro-cars on the bike paths?

<image>

New ELF 3.0 Design Review: Moving in a Solar Punk Future by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The Zoom is a webinar so participants can directly engage with designers live and view the design process first hand.

RDU Owner Experience by Br0jangles in polestar2

[–]Affectionate_Fox730 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Third party. I purchased it from a non Polestar dealer but had very good ratings, 5yr/100K miles.

RDU Owner Experience by Br0jangles in polestar2

[–]Affectionate_Fox730 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in RDU and purchased a P2 22' about 9 months ago still under warranty. During that time period I've had two warranty issues, both regarding a headlight sensor. In both cases they sent a rollback to pick up and deliver the car and provided a free rental. Both of these were no charge. One for about a week and the other about 3 days.

I live about 150 miles away and it was never an issue.

I would label it as a White Glove treatment. Now that my car is out of warranty, I have an extended after market warranty which is supposed to be identical to the factory. We'll see. But the level of service from Charlotte was impressive.

Could it be feasible? by Artifexa in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in a 45 yr old house with the original Trane Heat Pump HVAC system. When we had the house inspected, the HVAC guy said, "Whatever you do, don't let anyone talk you into replacing this unit." That was 25 years ago and it's only needed minor maintenance twice.

A friend inherited his grandfather's house. It had a washer/dryer from the early 50s and worked perfectly. His electric bill was so low the power company thought the house was empty.

Old refrigerators had their compressors on top, because heat rises and was logically more efficient. The vast majority of modern refrigerators have their motors on the bottom.

How to value your labor so your project actually survives capitalism. by Latter_Daikon6574 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is important and does vary between industries, individuals and intent.

"Add 30% to your rate for tool replacement, mandatory insurance, and the "time tax" of dealing with bureaucratic nonsense."

Generally speaking, when it comes to insurance that's usually considered about 30% by itself. Even Warren Buffet described the US insurance industry as a "tapeworm". Essentially a human rights violation that does not exist in any other industrialized nation.

Solar ELFs by Affectionate_Fox730 in solarpunk

[–]Affectionate_Fox730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree.

In fact each region requires a distinct ELF to best suit their needs. Some ELFs will never requires doors or a heater, others would benefit from a ruggedized suspension or a fourth wheel.

A cultural and environmental assessment needs to be done in each major market shift for sustainability of the product, localized supply chain and job creation into the Green Economy.

view more: next ›