Feedback

We can't tell you what goes in this spot!

You can click on the photo above to be directed to Fred's primary site (of which this one is a mirror), or use the information above to contact Fred directly. The link below takes you to the feedback form on Fred's site, where you can submit questions. The questions and answers will be mirrored here, but with a delay. (December 31, 2006 note: this mirrored page is no longer being updated on the Velomobiling.net/com site. If you want to check for further updates, use the link above to go to Fred's own site.)

Feedback and Questions

This page is a work in progress, as is the entire web site. I realize that I can't put everything on this site, so this is the spot to ask your questions and to see other people's questions as well as the best answers I can provide.

Use this form to present your questions. I welcome questions and observations regarding the velomobile. I also welcome observations regarding the site construction, errors and any suggestions.

This space below will contain questions and answers, once there is material to present, so check back once in a while.

Question

Response

How fast can you go?

I've gone 43mph so far descending a local bridge with a slight tailwind. I can manage 30mph on flat ground in no wind conditions for a short time.

Double Dave asks:

Fred, What prompted you to choose the AAW over the FAW? How does it compare to your Versatile?

I found I liked the styling of the AAW compared to the FAW. The curve in the nose of the FAW wasn't appealing to me and I liked the curve of the cutout for the cockpit on the AAW over the squared cockpit on the FAW. On a more technical note, the FAW had less space for my thighs between the fenders.
I'm not sure how it would compare to "my" Versatile, as I don't have the luck of owning one.

Double Dave asks:

Sorry, Fred, I confused you with David Shank who is building a FAW somewhere in NewYork. The leg clearance issue begs the question; What are the specs, yours and the velo?

I hope David Shank has as much fun building his as I have had with mine. As far as specs go, it's pretty subjective, but I'll try. I might have been a bit heavier when I tested David Eggleston's FAW, but my waist is about 34 or 36 inches. I noted today that I have at least an inch clearance and possibly two inches from the outside of my thighs to the wheel panels on the AAW. In the FAW, my thighs were contacting the panels, but the seat might not have been in an optimum position. In my AAW, I have the seat as reclined as far as possible and the cranks are nearly fully forward. I'm five foot ten inches tall, but with the extreme recline angle, I'm using up all the cockpit space. A more upright position would change the considerations, I'm sure.

Unnamed asks:

What problems did you have when building your Alleweder? How complete where the instructions? Did Alleweder answer the question quickly and completely? How easy is it to change the rear wheel? If you where building another Alleweder what would you do differed? Are there hills where you live, if so how does it climb? What was the most difficult part of building it? Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I most likely will have more it you don't mind.

The kit is produced in the Netherlands and distributed by David Eggleston at http://www.pedalyourselfhealthy.org Some parts of the kit are shipped directly from the Netherlands and some are from Texas. Apparently the computer controlled tool used to cut the sheets had a problem, so some of my parts were out of alignment. David Eggleston took care of the critical ones which made all the difference in the world. I had no direct contact with the producer overseas and directed all my questions to David. We have hills here in Florida, called bridges, and the Alleweder climbs them rather slowly.
The most difficult part of building the AAW was dealing with the mis-aligned parts at the beginning, but once that was corrected, everything went well.
The instructions were in Dutch and were very difficult to translate, but I also travelled to Texas to examine David's vehicles and go over the construction process with him. I found a german version of the assembly instructions and did a web-based free translation, which also helped in the construction. I would not recommend building one unless you are mechanically skilled in some manner.
If I were to build another Alleweder, I would make certain that the panels were cut properly, otherwise, very little would I change.

John in Indiana asks:

Where do you purchase the McPherson Strut and linkage?

The strut and linkage for the Alligt Alleweder came as part of the kit. I understand that it is manufactured "in-house" by the person who builds and sells the kits in the Netherlands. You might be able to contact David Eggleston regarding this part, as he also builds and sells the Flevo Alleweder as well as distributes the AAW kits.