Velomobile Advantages/Disadvantages (velomobiel voor- en nadeelen, Velomobil Vorteilen und Nachteilen)
To build a small human-powered vehicle that is affordable, light in weight, easy to maintain, comfortable, fast, roomy.... eventually there are compromises. This list focuses on commonly-mentioned points that may be important to potential buyers. Consider your own priorities and remember that all of these velomobiles have enthusiastic partisans. If you want to suggest additions to this list, contact us by typing the letters "w" "a" "l" "d" and "o" after the com/ in the address bar.
| Velomobile (velomobiel, velomobil) | Advantages and strong points | Disadvantages and weak points |
| Aerorider | sturdy, good weather protection | heavy, hard to ride without the electric assist. |
| Alleweder (Alligt A3) | ? | poor drive-train protection |
| Alleweder (Alligt A4) | Low maintenance, all wheels side-mounted for easy tire-changing, increased luggage space with locking compartment. | ? |
| Alleweder (Alligt A5) | ||
| Alleweder (Flevobike) | ? | ? |
| Alleweder (US Flevo) | ? | ? |
| Aurora | easy entry | ? |
| Butterfly | very easy entry | the most expensive velomobile |
| Cab-Bike | fairly easy entry without stepping on seat, largest baggage space, good weather protection | interior noise - hard to hear other riders and traffic when windows are closed. |
| Cab-Bike Speedster | fairly easy entry without stepping on seat | ? |
| Cab-Bike (2006-2007 updates) | fairly easy entry without stepping on seat, largest baggage space, good weather protection, improved seat adjustability | interior noise - hard to hear other riders and traffic when windows are closed. |
| go-one3 (carbon) | light weight, good view of the path ahead, especially for small riders, splendid appearance | difficult to repair, limited baggage space, some problems with "greenhouse effect," fogging, and glare from large front window (but not as bad as expected, according to two owners), removable roof can't be stowed in vehicle. |
| go-one3 (fiberglass) | good view of the path ahead, especially for small riders, splendid appearance | limited baggage space some problems with "greenhouse effect," fogging, and glare from large front window (but not as bad as expected, according to two owners), removable roof can't be stowed in vehicle. |
| Leiba | small, fits the smallest riders (and also up to 200 cm) | ? |
| Leiba Briese | ? | ? |
| Leitra (small) | disassembles for transport, very tight turning circle, good baggage capacity. | very wide - does not fit through standard door, |
| Leitra (Sport and medium) | ||
| Leitra (extra long/tall) | ||
| Mango | all wheels side-mounted for easy tire-changing | not as fast as the Quest and has less luggage space |
| Quest (26" - current model) | very fast, all wheels side-mounted for easy tire-changing | requires two sizes of inner-tubes. |
| Quest (20" - low floor) | very fast, all wheels side-mounted for easy tire-changing | susceptible to tipping in some conditions, very large turning circle, long vehicle (hard to park or transport) |
| Quest (20" - flat floor) | ||
| Sorcerer | ? | too narrow for many riders |
| Stormy Weather | modular construction (can be disassembled; individual sections can be replaced) | ? |
| Sunrider | ? | ? |
| Thunderstorm | ? | ? |
| Versatile | easy entry, low maintenance, all wheels side-mounted and accessible for easy tire-changing | heavier than some other velomobiles |
| WAW | very stable, disassembles for transport, and individual sections can be replaced if damaged. | no reverse gear |
| new 2007 WAW | no reverse gear, 16" wheels may make tire-changes difficult |