ELF in the Rain #1

An unedited live video recording of ELF cruising in a down pouring rain. I wanted to demonstrate that you can stay dry inside the ELF but I was mistaken. This was during a heavy thunderstorm (9/21/16) creating flood on the streets. I screamed several times of hitting major water pools splashing under my seat. My bottom of my pants were totally wet. Then I'd forgotten about my neighbor's brick wall around its mailbox a flower bed. Watch and enjoy.

[@mirlamurillo3473]

I can't wait to get my ELF!! No rain will be stopping me- I don't melt. Once upon a time, people had to walk everywhere- rain or shine.. I'll take it : )

[@thepostofficeprince8819]

You never got one though

[@RobsterRulzDude0518]

I must be some sort of sadist cause i laughed out loud throughout this whole entire video,especially the parts where he yells out "Ouuuuuuuu !" : )

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Haha, I couldn’t figure out why my video was so popular until one guy asked me why I screamed. Say what? So I watched it. Ha ha, I sure did screamed out so fast. That sudden blast of icy cold water up my rear ends. WOW! Glad you had a good laugh. Everybody else did too!

[@miguelsalami]

So much for staying dry in the ELF huh. Now you know why Santa doesn't use them anymore 🧑‍🎄

[@qaz9258]

Here is what I find interesting. Even a person driving a car is going to get wet because s/he has to get out and walk to the door. The Elf can park anywhere a bike can. That includes close to the door, or even under the awning. Plus avoid puddles like even car drivers do. But perhaps thats even the fun of it! Being in touch with nature just a little more, is the rain all that bad? Will it kill you? Maybe we are too addicted to luxuries we have lost all tolerance of anything natural.

[@moochincrawdad]

It clearly needs wheelwells, fenders, mudguards - call 'em what you want but this vehicle should not be shipped without them

[@popeyegordon]

It has wheel wells and fenders. They just need little 4 x 14 inch additions inside to block spray during turns. I made mine in 10 minutes. Then we hit a drought and after 2 months still no rain to test it. The 2 seat version also has side floor panels, I made my own with sheet aluminum, no big deal. In all cases you stay much dryer in this than you could hope for on any open bike.

[@Yoshikarter1]

I saw in another video a ELF owner put custom wheel wells on the inside to deflect road spray. The PEBL already has wheel wells for the front wheels, the ELF should too.

[@SandiShila]

rain riding with bicycle, like a dream comes true to me, gosh i want it too 😁

[@scdevon]

$8,000.00? Ounce for ounce, function for function, these bikes are so ridiculously overpriced compared to conventional automobiles it's just silly. People are never just going to "do the right thing" and drive alternative electric vehicles like these until a Chinese factory is cranking them out for $800 bucks unfortunately.

[@cymoncyrado2879]

I ride for economic reasons, eight grand is absolutely not economic.

[@glebsokolov8016]

scdevon I would rather buy a Volkswagen Jetta for that price. I would buy this piece of plastic for 1,000 max.

[@MrNacho1946]

Wipers included.

[@MrNacho1946]

That sounds like a fair offer.

[@glebsokolov8016]

Ignacio Segarra Yeah, wipers are totally worth the cost ;)

[@ajemohaltom3560]

Way to take one for the team. It's clear the Elf is an improvement over riding a regular bike in the rain. But its not a miracle machine. Most of the time conditions won't be that bad. That's why cars have become as expensive as a house (or at least a sizeable trailer), they cover all the extreme driving conditions.

[@death299]

Ajemo Haltom that's not why cars are expensive, they could perform all those tasks when their pricetag was a fraction of the cost

[@cymoncyrado2879]

cars are expensive because all the regulations put upon them by the insurance industry....come to think of it...eeeeverything is more expensive due to insurance companies.

[@death299]

Cymon Cyrado nope.

[@lukefrance9558]

Cymon Cyrado it's inflation

[@MrNacho1946]

I don't think that is better than riding a bike. Riding that little box in that rain was very dangerous, Meanwhile, someone on a bike will stay home.

[@lesliewarren6481]

Lol!!! I love the sound effects.

[@moirai1964]

rainx would work. I live in Seattle, I would need full doors and enclosed floor pan. No way can you stay dry in this thing. No shock absorberz it seems either. So, with areas a lot of rain, long cold weather it would need to be more sealed.

[@kblewis3331]

Rain-X is not recommended for use on the type plastic the windshield is made of. It will cause it to yellow and deteriorate sooner. Carnauba wax is recommended. There are "side Shields" that one ELF owner has designed and makes and sells to other ELF owners. Most folks find ways to divert the water with inside fenders for the wheels. And folks in Maine & MN drive ELFs year round. Due to the shell and dressing appropriately they stay sufficiently warm.

[@popeyegordon]

Rainx for glass has alcohol that will damage the windshield. The rainx formulation for plastic sucks. Carnauba wax works fine. I was a Seattle bike commuter, I know of one now that uses the ELF on the BG trail a lot. He does not use doors. When you are moving the rain flies past the openings and maybe your elbows get wet. Beats the heck out of a total soaking you get on a regular bike.

[@Airsoftcleaner]

Also it needs windshield wipers

[@popeyegordon]

Please read the two comments directly above yours that reveal themselves when you click 'View All'. Wipers destroy the vision through plastic windshields. A glass windshield and wiper would add 15 pounds to vehicle weight.

[@popeyegordon]

Seattle ELFers use carnauba wax. We do not get wet, doors are not needed and they cause bad window fogging since you are exercising inside. Rain just blows by. Rain does not fall up so no floor needed.

[@TEREZAMIGUEL]

Very good demonstration! Thank you!

[@johnnelson5083]

Wipers would be good.

[@Cheezcakecharlie]

If I could afford it, I would have one and drive it almost everyday.

[@popeyegordon]

I couldn't afford NOT to own one. A car cost me much more annually and I got no exercise in the car.

[@another3997]

​@@popeyegordonAnd you're lucky enough to be able to cope without a car. Many people don't have that option, whether due to distance, time constraints, having a family, transporting people and belongings etc. If you can only afford one vehicle... you have to choose the one that does what you need. These ELFs were expensive, and you can get a good bike or trike for less, to use when you don't need to use the car.

[@KiiKiiCR]

How do you secure it when you are out and have to leave it unattended?

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

KiKi - you can secure it with a 6 feet padlock wrapped to the mainframe of the ELF. Remember that 6 feet lock will be three feet long when locked.

[@jacobenriquemiranda9633]

i love it

[@kengruz669]

The Elf is begging for a floorboard, a fully enclosed lower portion, to be anything but a fair-weather, light-raining vehicle. (Maybe someone will create and offer an after-market kit? Or a future ELF model will be enclosed?) And I say this as someone who has been wanting one after researching these a lot. I seriously like the ELF and the company and its founder. I think the ELF has so much going for it. This video though, confirms what I've been suspecting, from the little bit I could see of the lower interior of the ELF in various other pics and videos previously. It's too exposed underneath, and combined with the low seat recumbent bike positioning, the rider is close to the wet ground, as this video illustrates so well. I saw on youtube another very similar vehicle out (when I find the name, I'll add), that was not yet ready for the general public, but initially out for city fleet rentals. It had a completely sealed lower interior, and the pedals were still down there and functioning. It also had full, closeable doors. I'm sure it is/will be more expensive than the ELF. In the ELF it's apparent that you need full waterproof boots and rain pants to ride during a rain, and a parka in the cold thereby limiting its year-round usage.

[@popeyegordon]

No you need the ventilation. The 2 seater ELF has inner side boards too. Enclosing the pedals would put a housing within 2 inches of the pavement. The PEBL is a bit of a flop. Too hot, under powered.

[@another3997]

As an alternative to a conventional bike or trike, surely even the most basic of body shell is an improvement? You won't get as wet, your face won't be pummelled and if you wear specs, you won't be blind. 😁 From the look of it, a small adaptation could help alleviate getting a wet backside, even simple diy ones.

[@toptobottom247]

I really really like this ELF bike or trike (3 wheels) but at that price he could add some internal wheel wells to divert water. Also how come theirs no optional side doors of some kind for moderate to heavy rains. It definitely could use some shocks on the rear tire frame to soak up the rougher terrain. All in all very nice. I wouldn't mind an extra 10 mph.

[@scarecrow810]

There are optional doors.

[@georgesenda1952]

Scare Crow Yeah but the ELF website says they are out of stock which is ridiculous.

[@yaash4123]

Terry A Partial door would be neat in the summer. like something to cover the upper 25% of the sides.

[@kblewis3331]

One ELF owner has designed, makes, and sells "Side Shields" to other ELF owners at a very reasonable price.

[@qaz9258]

Sadly, a fact I recently learned, that in the USA the limit for electric bike NON assisted is 20 mpi. With assist it can go faster as even a standard bike can travel that speed. Thinking about the price it cost nothing more after purchase (like other bikes), Gives more range than a standard bike to the average person, allows for far more carry capacity, which all adds up to a lot of gas savings if you purchase this for local runs to the store. Get some exercise to boot. Hopefully with the new types of batteries coming out like sodium, or the Zinc Bromide some of the cost will be reduced. OH! plus the battery can come out to charge in the house for that horrid rainy day :)

[@edivan2002]

I have being looking to buy one. I considering the ELF, it is more affordable than the PELB. which I like also like But is more expensive. I have a friend in NC and I can go visit to get a test ride before I do buy it. I live in California and rain is not really an issue.

[@marksadventures3889]

I'm glad I saw this, it's told me not to buy one, would be totally impractical where i live, rains here - horizontally - 9 months out of 12 and then there's the snow, the crap roads, the Pennine Hills. I like the look but getting soaked is one thing i'm out to avoid. I'm sure you could retrofit a wiper blade to that screen.

[@xrecordermemes3266]

Came to know it after watching Shipping Wars

[@global-awarenessnetwork5315]

The ele could use a windshield wiper, sliding doors for ran protection, a loud car type sound horn for better protection against cars, wider back wheel for better balance. The Elfe could also use a floor it dose not have to be perfect cause the Elfe is a bicycle, but for better protection against water puddles on rainy days. Stronger disc brakes, Stronger rimes, bigger head lights for safety at night with turning signals, brake light would be nice for lane changes bike are also entitled to share the road. Nic invention. Good bike.

[@popeyegordon]

No. Wipers ruin plastic windshields. Most of us keep a coat of carnauba wax on our windshields which lets water bead and roll off. That is good enough for a top speed of 20 mph. Two door styles are available but few owners want them, we have to exercise in that small space and the windows would fog. ELF does come with a loud electric horn. Just because Doug did not need to use it that is not evidence of having no horn. We do not want a floor either, we need that ventilation and we know that the pedals bring our heels within 2 inches of the pavement. You sure make up lots of nonsense, the three disk brakes are very powerful, enough to handle a 550 pound payload! The ELF *ALREADY HAS* stronger rims, full DOT lighting system with signals and headlights so bright that cars flash at us.

[@cymoncyrado2879]

There should be some fenders on the front wheels to keep water from being slung inside the cab on turns but of course that won't help those puddle splashups.

[@dennisritter7628]

can you get that with a flloor board

[@popeyegordon]

The rear seat version has side boards but if you put a floor under the pedals it will be within 2 inches of the pavement and you will get too hot, windows fog up too.

[@EagleOne76]

What a disaster. I could have told you this from the second I saw the thing. With the open bottom, one of my first thoughts was that the rider was going to get soaked in the rain. Glad you spent the 6K and not me.

[@popeyegordon]

Some disaster.... there are now 1000 happy owners.

[@thechangingman3763]

Popeye Gordon sorry but Sinclair sold more C5s than that and I’m a proud owner of one but the C5 was an unmitigated disaster and they sold for a reasonable price too. While I like the concept of these types of vehicles they are impractical, this type of vehicle has been reinvented many times over since the 1960s/70s and has appeared in all shapes, colours and sizes, all suffered the same fate..

[@popeyegordon]

@@thechangingman3763 The Sinclair was a disaster when viewed from the future but at the time it made the most of limited technology. What part of happy owners don't you understand? You are not aware that three 4000 mile journeys have been completed in the ELF but you just carry on, oblivious to facts.

[@kabukiarmadillo]

Thanks for this video. One is for sale where I live in Canada and I was curious enough to do a bit of research. Where I live it rains constantly through winter so one of these wouldn't work here at all.

[@popeyegordon]

Rain is not an issue. Seattle owners prefer the ELF, I sure wish I had one when I was commuting there. When moving the rain blows past the doors and only elbows get wet. If you slow down for deep puddles you will stay dry.

[@georgeeverette3912]

Looks like a miserable experience. If you get soaked from under what is the sense of having a shell at all?

[@popeyegordon]

Walking or biking with no roof over your head is much more miserable. This guy has not added the little inside fender baffles that catch splashes, an easy cheap fix used by many owners in wet regions. I have no problems with rain, just very glad I have the shell enclosure to keep me and my cargo dry. Rain falls down, not up.

[@benpar8120]

Speak man, instead of just moaning. Not a good advert for the Elf if you can't see the road in the rain and you get wet! !!! !

[@christofloww2216]

Lols for real

[@christofloww2216]

🤣😂

[@popeyegordon]

Hey assholes, Doug is deaf.

[@duggydugg3937]

do you recapture amps on braking ?

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

If it did, it wouldn't be effective and practical so the answer is no. However there is a 100-watt solar panel that is mounted on top of the ELF that recapture tremendous amount of amperage.

[@ShyLo05]

Doors?

[@mirlamurillo3473]

Just buy a rain suit to go over your clothes- or use it as your outfit- depending where you're going ♥

[@bryduhbikeguy]

Huh.It looked a tad moist.Time to hit a salvage yard to get a rear wiper off a sport ute.I've looked at these and that was my plan.Until I saw the prices..Yikes.

[@popeyegordon]

Wipers ruin plastic windows. We use carnauba wax. And no, Rain-x for glass will not work.

[@bryduhbikeguy]

Thank you.I do think Silicon wiper blades will help,I hope.That's what I'd use.

[@popeyegordon]

Sorry, it is not the material of the blades but the grit that gets between them and the windshield. I learned that the hard way when Mt St. Helens rained muddy ash on my glass windsheld and the wipers ground in a permanently clouded surface.

[@pdelmercado]

Does water splash up from the wet ground onto your feet and legs?

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

More on my upper legs and rear ends than my feet. Where the tires splash, it’s up my thighs and rear ends. Big time!

[@pdelmercado]

Douglas John Hertel Thank you. I think I'll go with the ZEV T3-1 micro car instead.

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Patricia DelMercado - best of luck to you. The purpose of this video is what happened when an ELF, a covered bicycle, get caught in a sudden down poured rain. It does a good job of keeping a rider fairly dry. It’s the pedaling area that’s gonna get wet. I’ve ridden in rains before and if I avoided puddles and standing water I will stay fairly dry. But anyway, best wishes to your micro-car.

[@gabrieljones6510]

I don't think elf bike needs to be ride in the rain that what cars and trucks are for

[@scarecrow810]

Haha, totally wet and totally hilarious. It seems difficult seeing out the windshield in the rain too. Well, it's still a bicycle, after all. I wouldn't ride my conventional bike in the rain and I guess you really can't the ELF either, for the most part.

[@popeyegordon]

We do fine with a few tweaks - treat the windshield with carnauba wax. Some add a simple fender extension on the inside. When you are moving the rain mostly flies by the doors.

[@jamessutherland5171]

I just moved to FT Myers . Disabled . 5 month wait and 10 k upfront?? Interested , but not liking tying up 10 grand for 5 months. Golf carts sound better .

[@popeyegordon]

James, I too lived in Ft Myers as a disabled person on a pension. Owning a car there was a hardship and the town is so small I didn't need a car so I got rid of it and used my bicycle until I got mt ELF. You can still rent a car when needed but the ELF saves me $3000/yr compared to car costs and I get vital exercise at my desired pace. During the time I got rid of my car the town was cleaner and safer because I was not abusing an oversized overpowered mode of transportation that steals more than my fair share of resources from future generations.

[@artofwarandpeace9126]

I better be seeing a better version soon with wiper blades, fully enclosable cockpit and of course one less trip to my chiropractor.

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Art of war and peace - Rest assured, I’m pretty sure it’s in the work. In the meantime, no more running out into a thunderstorm. I did that on purpose of how truly wet I would get. I got my waist down soaked wet. But imagine a bicycle and it’s rider get caught in the rain, totally soaking wet from head to toes, that’s for sure. Anyway, it was way over 2 inches flash rain that day when I videotaped it. Thumbs UP!

[@stockholm3976]

I didn't know you have rain in US :)

[@lorddread22]

i think a veltop on a normal tadpole trike would keep the rain out as well as this does but the elf is neet for sure and will prob help get more people into riding this type of vehicle To bad i can't afford one or even a veltop for my trike :)

[@doctoreggbert5627]

The decision to purchase one of these things is based either by a comparison to a car.......or a BIKE, either way for $8K i'd go for a car instead.......or ride my bike and have rain gear on...... if its RAINING.....or GOING TO BE RAINING!!!! THE PRICE TAG ISN'T BAD....BUT MOST WONT PAY THAT MUCH FOR ONE OF THOSE!! AROUND $1500-$2000 THEN THEY'D SELL!!??

[@death299]

Doctor Eggbert ...8k for something like this isn't huge assuming decent parts bikes can cost such anyway for touring bikes (or roadsters) even some top end mountain bikes hit that range biking..if taken seriously and cared about (enjoyed) is not cheap quality bikes are expensive, adding motors and hulls just makes it even higher and good motors aren't cheap not until they're made obsolete anyway

[@doctoreggbert5627]

josh spradling Thats True, but its a niche market.....out of everyone i know that wants transportation like this, doesn't want to spend that kind of money? I will concede that for the bike made in U.S.A. or Canada its pretty reasonable for whats put into it.......that being said @ $8k+ with the limitations involved, I personally wouldn't pay that for this-----I do however like the ''pedalist'' model. be well sir.

[@popeyegordon]

The battery alone costs $1000. There are $2600 in materials(wholesale) in this ELF which is cheaper than many bullet velos with no power or solar or cargo capacity. It is a bargain at $8,995. Mine paid for itself in 3 years since I got rid of the car. Cars always cost you a minimum of 3K per year and you get no exercise that means an accumulative cardiac injuty every day you get no exercise behind the wheel of a car.

[@popeyegordon]

Nope, I'm a very experienced Seattle bike commuter and I know that under the rain gear you get soaked with your own sweat. Even breathable gear helps little when you are exercising on a 10 mile ride.

[@death299]

Doctor Eggbert it's not just western bikes that are expensive when made in a quality fashion even China (the king of cheap) quality products = expensive price tag velo's in general are a niche market as are ebikes electric velomobiles are kinda...well most cheap alternatives don't last long (if they get off the ground they quickly fall) both electric and non electric it's just a market that's never really taken off i doubt you'd pay $6,000 for a touring bike either but it's a fairly standard price for a quality (aka not budget) touring bike

[@ivohawk]

shows some minuses of the design; btw was the guy little drunk? ;)

[@sergeykopylov652]

this thing needs some any-rain wax on windows!That'll help much!

[@popeyegordon]

Most owners use carnauba wax.

[@honeyclover80]

No windshield wiper?

[@popeyegordon]

Wipers ruin plastic windshields.

[@olivermigliore9048]

Who says "owww!" when they get wet?

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

I know. Ain’t that weird?!

[@popeyegordon]

Deaf people who don't know what they sound like.

[@MULTl]

you should get the elf doors

[@popeyegordon]

Most of the time the doors are counterproductive. Makes it too hot and the windows fog badly. If he made this video with doors installed you would see him stopping frequently to wipe the fog off. Even a fan won't even help in 100% humidity. You are exercising in this small space.

[@MULTl]

i guess it would be better where i live all it is snow 75 percent of the yr

[@hectoralanis6558]

Funny challenge , Humans have to go back to keep contact with Nature and with dust, rain, temperature, germens , no more clean shoes at office.

[@lesliemeehan3724]

Does it come with a floor option

[@popeyegordon]

The two seat version has sideboards for passenger feet or parcels, that one has a smaller trunk. A floor under the pedals would be too close to the road bed, plus you really need the ventilation. Trust me, I have used mine daily for 3 years, you don't want doors or full floor. It gets hot and windows would fog badly.

[@vagrantrandomstuff2312]

haha got wet.. this bike is nice but not good for rainy days since it does not have some protection on water splashes. hahaha

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Vagrant Random Stuff - new and improvement soon coming. Just wait and see!

[@vagrantrandomstuff2312]

@@douglasjohnhertel8948 I will wait for it. Have a great day.

[@cook7772]

How fast you normally go on this?

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

cook7772 I cruise about 15mph. Top speed is 20mph on a flat surface for electric.

[@popeyegordon]

As fast as you dare, downhill. The body is designed for low speeds, the windshield will implode at 45 mph.

[@ajarnStef]

Not equipped for rain, unfortunately. No screenwipers, no floor pan etc,

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Neither is a submarine equipped for land, but hey, ELF isn't exactly designed for the rain but it's good to know if an ELF rider get caught in the unexpected downpour rain, just the pants gonna get WET. But guess what? Screenwipers can be added and so can the floor pan so all is not hopeless.

[@popeyegordon]

Only the most strong downpours get you damp inside the ELF. How can a roof, front panel and fenders not keep you far dryer than a regular bicycle? In most rain my elbows get damp, nothing more. If it was sealed up we would get soaked in our own sweat and the windows would fog up.

[@brianmarshall1415]

They need to allow these things on the highway and only these things on the highway

[@popeyegordon]

We can share the road. The ELF is better for that than any other bike made.

[@ravagesoyjoy]

Ballz of steel Nuff said...

[@sweetgyy]

get a refund man

[@popeyegordon]

Why? 98% of ELF rides are in dry weather and there are several ways to add little fender extensions on the inside to stop the splashes. I used scraps of white vinyl roof gutter bent and riveted to work as inner fender extensions. He went out in the rain on purpose just to make a video.

[@ministerkenneththomasespin3082]

I wish had the money buy that Bike

[@theowink]

visability 0.0,suspension...0.0 .it's a suicycle !!

[@asam68]

This ELF is just fantastic. I would like to import here to Brazil. Now ELF manufacturers, who are by the way very friendly, should have installed a windshield and other accessory to protect the bottom of this bike.

[@popeyegordon]

The ELF has a light weight windshield. The bottom needs to be open to provide the essential copious ventilation needed for exercising in this small shell without overheating and window fogging. But in fact only the front third of the bottom is open.

[@asam68]

Okay! Thanks friend.

[@kenjferrell]

I don't get wet at all in my $9,500 car, and it also has a windshield I can see through.

[@popeyegordon]

And you pay at least $30,000 every ten years for that while the ELF will cost you $3000 for that same ten years. $27,000 difference, plus exercise which we all need but never get in a car.

[@ปึ้ดหม้อดิน]

ทำไมไม่มีปัดน้ำฝน ฝนตกยังงี้มองอะไรไม่ถนัด เกิดอันตรายได้ ครับ

[@jackduffy1817]

You defently have to be a fit trained athlete to use one of those 3 wheeled pedal cars in the rain.

[@popeyegordon]

Heck no! There is a one HP motor! You can drive it with no legs.

[@yaash4123]

Is "ow!" your reaction to getting wet? lol

[@popeyegordon]

He is deaf.

[@yaash4123]

Oh I seen that in one of his other videos. Seems like a funny dood. Really cool to see how the ELF performs from someone not trying to sell it.

[@jclar3565]

Thats funny. Last time I heard someone say ow! when it was raining was Mexican kids outside 7-Eleven in California LOL

[@popeyegordon]

Deaf people may have no idea what they sound like.

[@artofwarandpeace9126]

Yaash I believe he's trying to cover his fanhood for the team elf. But still I hope elf sees this.

[@veganvocalist4782]

Ha haha ha ;D if you ride so close to the curb of course your'll get wet , fun video ; )

[@bouvierguillaume4176]

C'est dangereux, sans essuies-glaces et sous une pluie battante...! Attention également aux grands trous d'eau au bord des chaussées!

[@robsonwaynneantonio9472]

should close down on the floor in case of rain and should also have doors against rain and cold

[@popeyegordon]

No. We exercise in this small space. Full floor reduces cooling and the windows fog. Fabric doors are available but few want them. Pedaling behind the windshield's wind break keeps you warm. Rain blows past the open doors except your elbows get wet - no big deal. 99% dryer than a bicycle and this offers impact protection.

[@sbdr.1241]

p.s. im also a bike commuter for 30+yrs i know how they drive &react & their attitudes madmax/deathrace.

[@popeyegordon]

I live in Florida, the most dangerous state for bicycles and yet I feel safe in my ELF, drivers treat me as a small car, not a bike.

[@andremartel828]

LOL. Well. That's a turn off. Guess you need to wear rain gear with the ELF. $9K for these bikes and you still get wet. They might as well give you a bar of soap to shower up while riding. Do you use Rain-X on the windshield?

[@popeyegordon]

I don't get wet in mine. Remember he intentionally went out in heavy rain and did not slow down enough or dodge puddles. I stay dry except for my elbows but you can buy door kits if you like to sweat and deal with fogged windows. Rain-X is for glass, the alcohol in it will ruin a plastic windshield. We use pure carnauba wax which works well but Doug obviously did not apply it to his.

[@MrPemabenza10]

9000 is the for current version which was significantly better than first version. First version was around 6k

[@Sputz3]

Gets wet *Oooouuuuuu!!!!!*

[@inix9748]

Not just I have to pay $8k for the Elf, but a complete rain outfit to keep myself dry during rainy season in Miami...

[@popeyegordon]

No. That is silly. You will have a full roof and windshield. The roof trim is designed to channel rain away from the doors but two door styles are available. Doug could have slowed down more for the puddles and got no splashing at all. I'm retired in Florida - rain gear would be extremely hot and it is not needed.

[@dusanradic932]

Name is Veemo they already made better version. Sorry.

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Dusan Radic - nothing to be sorry about. Different electric bike for different people. Life would be dull if it’s just one model.

[@albion2742]

Put some Rain X on the windscreen and some cling film on the sides for rain protection.

[@popeyegordon]

No. Rain-x ruins plastic windshields, wipers also ruin plastic windshields. Doug could have waxed it to increase beading.

[@wxxr9095]

Winter is a thing

[@popeyegordon]

Yes, and studded tires are a thing ELF owners use to deal with snow and ice. The body shell keeps us out of the wind chill, exercise keeps us warm. All without burning fossil fuels and squandering resources stolen from future generations. Watch the videos of ELFs on snow and ice. We don't slip and fall like two wheel bikes do.

[@death299]

Wx Xr because cars perform so well on snow without having winter tires cycling in the winter isn't new, and a small heater + winter tires elimnate almost all the cons of cycling in the snow without the cyclist risking his life if he goes into a ditch

[@death299]

Popeye Gordon you only slip on a bicycle if it (or you) wasn't prepped for winter of all the times i've ridden in the snow, the only times i've had control issues is when i wasn't paying attention (and most of those have been in the summer, usually on gravel)

[@popeyegordon]

There will be ZERO times when you fall in the ELF.

[@death299]

Popeye Gordon or any other trike it's can and does still have the same issues trikes have and that does include the ability to have issues if driven in certain conditions to remain stable and not spin out or spin

[@marcvalade94]

You should have bought a nuclear submarine and put pedals in. Or just a regular car that yoiu take the motors off to reduce the load and then run to spin the tires.

[@Flyingsandwiches-nr1zc]

Marc Valade lmao 😂😂😂 Fred Flintstone

[@petesmith1641]

They should have put the wheels outside of passenger compartment.

[@popeyegordon]

They are. They have fenders surrounding them but the fender well is open to the inside. Not a problem except during turns

[@samuel0817]

Esse borra não ten limpador de água não kkkkk

[@ericgalvancarrillo4809]

PEBL vs ELF rain version

[@popeyegordon]

PEBL outsourced to Germany last year. ELF went under during the pandemic but is still likely to make a comeback. Doug is going out in hard rain on purpose to show how dry you can stay in the ELF. Here he intentionally goes on a flooded street to show how you stay completely dry by going slow through 6 inches of water, hard to do on a 2 wheel bike: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmfKi5J8haxmmNE

[@stevemccormack9948]

To have went to all the trouble to design the Elf and keep the rain off, they did not keep it out. Why on earth did they not seal off the under-body? That's ridiculous.

[@popeyegordon]

That is a lie. We have a full roof and windshield and the shell design channels rain away from the doors. What is ridiculous is assuming you know what you are talking about. We need maximum ventilation to stay cool and prevent window fogging. There is no engine powered defogger. Rain goes down, not up. You are clueless that the pedals bring your heels within 2 inches of the pavement. That's ridiculous.

[@stevemccormack9948]

@@popeyegordon I grew up in a wet and rainy climate. I know how rain works. What on earth are you talking about. First sign of a galloping ignoramous is someone who dismisses people out of hand at the mere expression of an opinion. If I am the customer I want doors! You for your part would be welcome to express some viewpoint but when it comes to your caustic insults you can piss off.

[@popeyegordon]

@@stevemccormack9948 My comments stand unchallenged. I biked in rainy Washington state for a decade. I got soaked a lot. The moment I saw the first image of an ELF I was sold. YOU posted a caustic insult first about a design you do not understand and have never ridden at all, especially not in the rain. The huge ELF owners group on Facebook has owners all over the US. This includes owners in Seattle and Bellingham who have posted KZbin videos. In rainy climates we can do one of two things - slow down before hitting a puddle to avoid splashing, or just install a little 4 by 10 inch scrap of vinyl at the inside rear edge of the fender wells. Mine took 10 minutes. Sealing off the underbody is a ridiculous waste of vehicle weight that will slow you down and let you get too hot in that small space. Your heels come within 2 inches of the pavement so a floor won't work. The competing PEBL design is seeing complaints from owners of getting too hot even in winter because of the closed off floor. The windows fog too easily. The Seattle commuter bought the door kit for his ELF because he goes regardless of rain. He added the little fender extensions but does not need the doors most of the year and the worst that can happen is our elbows get wet. I don't have a viewpoint, I have six solid years of daily experience. Ask owners before casting arbitrary accusations of a poor design.

[@stevemccormack9948]

@@popeyegordon It was never an accusation on my part in the first place. I actually liked it but preferred to have it sealed. Me thinks the lady doth protest too much...

[@popeyegordon]

@@stevemccormack9948 You just had to get in that asshole comment. What a jerk.

[@alfredohernandez5177]

I prefer my volkswagen beetle 82`

[@popeyegordon]

It costs you ten times as much every year, year after year, to own an old car. I have saved $18,000 so far in six years by getting rid of my car.

[@Butterflysky.2024]

Need doors for the rain Is only for summer bike only Bad idea

[@popeyegordon]

No, sorry you are mistaken, us ELF owners do not want doors, the windows would fog badly and it would get too hot in there. Remember you are exercising in a small space. Also note he went out in rain on purpose and most of the time you will simply wait for the rain to slow down. I only get my elbows wet in the rain here in Florida. There is simply no issue with open doors.

[@sweetgothfromhell]

Dude look like he soak up from head to toe along with bruised pride....hahaha

[@popeyegordon]

Wrong. He was not soaked. If he was concerned about splashing he would slow down for the puddles. His pride was not bruised in any way, that is a hateful troll thing to say.

[@elmoswansong]

Just as i thought. it looks like a reversed engineered bath tub. And it is. no basecover, no side cover, no windscreenwipers, no suspension on the wheels. Happy bathing ;-)

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Maybe I should name my ELF "Bathtub"? LOL. I did this videotaping for fun. There is suspensions on the front wheels. When I was videotaping, I was holding an iPhone with my left hand which may explain the jerkiness of this video. Soon l will get a iPhone holder installed on the ELF so I can keep both my hands on the handlebar. I also plan to do more videotaping in spring '17 to demonstrate that I do stay dry during moderate rain (and myself to show how dry I really am). Of course, not perfectly dry but that far far better than soaking wet on a bicycle. Thanks for the comment.

[@popeyegordon]

Plastic windshields are not compatible with wipers. We wax the windshield with carnauba wax. Rain-x for glass will ruin plastic windshields. Your stupid comment is rude and ignorant, the design is aerodynamic, highly refined and elegant for a light weight vehicle. It will continue to be tweaked to perfection each year, better fenders included.

[@김중규-b5l]

한국에 도입돼엇으면

[@jayedwards4863]

Maybe you should of gotten a pebl

[@popeyegordon]

Nope. PEBL went under, outsourced to Germany last year. Theirs weighed 70 pounds more than the ELF because they made it too car-like. The extra weight ruined the pedaling capability combined with the legal limit 750 watt motor. Hills are too hard. Doug is going out in hard rain on purpose to show how dry you can stay in the ELF. Here he intentionally goes on a flooded street to show how you stay completely dry by going slow through 6 inches of water, hard to do on a 2 wheel bike: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmfKi5J8haxmmNE

[@ellooku]

Aaaaaw! You passed your house. Lolz, I guess this thing needs a wiper and a door.

[@popeyegordon]

You guessed wrong. Wipers ruin plastic windshields. Door kits are available but we do not want them. That makes it too hot as we exercise in that small space and the windows fog.

[@erichung8087]

missing screenwipers!

[@popeyegordon]

No. Wipers ruin plastic windshields. Most of us keep a coat of carnauba wax on our windshields which lets water bead and roll off. That is good enough for a top speed of 20 mph.

[@김중규-b5l]

이건 사야돼

[@sbdr.1241]

I'd love to have 1 but here in new jersey other drivers would run you off or hit you just cause & possibly kill you by hit &run its a game over here to licensed drivers with large suv's & trucks & texting drivers+teens+thugs unless you can have a gun turret ontop you might be ok until then ????

[@popeyegordon]

The ELF design is safer than any open bike or trike. The shell provides crumple zone protection from all directions. Of the 5 known car collisions that happened with 900 ELFs on the road and 3 million road miles logged there have been no operator injuries to date. Teens should not be allowed to cruise in cars, they should be limited to ELF type vehicles, problem solved.

[@yvettebrown8196]

henry R. Check out the velomobile KZbin video... it's recorded in New Jersey 😃 I commented that the worst place I've ever driven was Wayne, NJ.

[@chrisnamaste3572]

Yea I won't even consider until a 4K price point. A $500 dollar bike plus a $2000 Bionix Kit does the job for 1/3 the price! So the recombine and extra stuff should only add $1500. Hence this company needs to offshore to make this viable in the market other than as a boutique item for the wealthy.

[@popeyegordon]

Chris Nasty - And I wouldn't buy a private jet for more than 8K or a 50 foot yacht for more than 10K.

[@popeyegordon]

We don't want to cheat our fellow citizens out of a job by buying imported bikes. That is unpatriotic.

[@popeyegordon]

Hey cheapskate - the cheapest bullet shaped velomobiles are 8 to 11K with No motor, solar, cargo space or passenger carrying ability. This is a bargain, when you get rid of your car you save at least $3K/yr so this pays for itself quickly. I did that 3 years ago and it is a great lifestyle change. 1000 sold is not a boutique item. A new competitor also is making a similar product in the US, the PEBL. So basically you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

[@popeyegordon]

In year 6 I have now saved $18,000 by driving the ELF and I'm healthier.

[@njsarn]

Apply Rain Dance (original) on the windshield and rain will just roll off. Add polyester pants and you'll dry in 1 hour.

[@popeyegordon]

Pure carnauba wax is safer. Rain Dance may be a cleaner wax.

[@MrNacho1946]

Now you can trade it in for used VW.

[@popeyegordon]

And spend an additional $3000/yr on insurance, gas, maintenance, license etc. No thanks. By getting rid of my car, my ELF paid for itself in full in 3 years. My ELF was virtually free due to the low annual cost to own and use.

[@primogonzales7549]

No windshield WIPER, Get a PEBL

[@popeyegordon]

No. Wipers ruin plastic windshields. Those who got the option on the $12,000 230 pound PEBL know what happens after the very first use of the wiper.

[@popeyegordon]

As of late in 2020, the PEBL is no longer made in the US. The tooling is being sent to Germany.

[@popeyegordon]

The cries of pain and the yelling is ridiculous. If you are in pain you should not be driving. If you are not in pain you are over reacting. Why? Splashes are not painful. For this reason I downvoted your video. EDIT - AFTER LEARNING THAT DOUG IS DEAF I WITHDRAW MY CRITICISM! UPVOTED! - END EDIT

[@Voltaire1955]

Now I'm 100% convinced you are being paid to defend the ELF. Be forewarned people a whole bunch of ELF former owners think this is concept trike is overpriced, unstable, poorly designed and a rip off. Love the concept but I'd look elsewhere for a better product.

[@popeyegordon]

Marquis de Vauban A blatant lie- I am on the Facebook owner forum with 450 other owners. We see no such gripes from most of them. My only pay is cleaner air for all. You profit from this every bit as much as I do. Shill accusation is lame and a failed tactic. Trying to poison the well rather than making a cogent refutation complete with data is lame. Try buying a used ELF to see just how high the demand is.

[@douglasjohnhertel8948]

Popeye Gordon - Ah, no wonder this is No#1 hit video. For a long time I couldn't figure out why people were watching this so much, already more than 1,866 views. WOW! Now that you mentioned about the scream, ah, now I understand, they love that scream from that frigid cold water splashed on my rear ends. Deaf scream, that is, I'm deaf so I couldn't hear myself scream. Thanks for the comment: now I know!

[@ectonomics]

ever thought about making a floor for it if you have to use tarp canvas

[@ectonomics]

my uncle was trying to make a bike camper that size he was going to get a patent and his son took it apart but it contained nylon fabric for more weight reduction