Top 10 Features of the Buelk Velomobile

[@daveholtermans5712]

Thanks for the video. I myself have a Milan GT and was curious about the differences.

[@velomobile_leggero]

I've been eagerly waiting for your video on the Bulk Velomobile. I own an Alpha7, but it was your video that prompted me to place an order for the Bulk a month ago. Now having watched this video, my excitement for the Bulk has grown even more. Thank you for the video.

[@mnveloguy]

Exciting that you have been able to order a Buelk. I will be sure to upload more videos about it this summer to help you pass the time while you wait!

[@ArjenMeurs]

Very good and concise sum-up of what's good about the Bülk. I like the bike and tried it in Dronten. Fitting my really long legs in is still somewhat of an issue; it might work with shorter 140 mm cranks, which I will try out in a month. I think you do an excellent job as a Bülk ambassador!

[@mnveloguy]

Thanks. I hope 140 cranks work out for you.

[@4nz-nl]

Pay me a visit Arjen! I'm sure we'll get you fitted :)

[@pedalpowercycling]

Thank Ben, excellent video, does that happen to be a Yamaha YTR-9445CHS Chicago or a Bach b-flat?

[@mnveloguy]

The one I use for commuting is a 1923 conn symphony model that someone drilled some holes in the bell of. It’s a junker. At home I have a 1997 Bach Strad with the standard lead pipe and the 37 bell.

[@katcorot]

I'm starting to wish I waited more and ordered a Bulk over the WAW. I under estimated how tight the entry hole is on the WAW and how my injuries from my last velo was restricted my flexibility. I got too focused on the removable nose/tail and overlooked how it heavily restricts storage aft of the seat. My main issue with my WAW so far is the stiffing rib on the inner sidewall (my elbows are pressed into it//Tank Steering) and trying to get seat into position so I can see out properly. And overall lack of any form of owners manual outlining in print how stuff functions

[@mnveloguy]

I never liked the tank steering on my homebuilt WAW. I found the removable nose to be a hassle. A service hatch works much better and is quicker. The removable tail is nice, but like you said, you lose the storage space. The WAW isn't as efficient aerodynamically either. The Buelk is just an awfully good design.

[@mnveloguy]

You could always sell your WAW and buy a Buelk....

[@simondara1971]

@@mnveloguy That is what I'm thinking now... Aside of the problems mentioned here, I hate the WAW (non) suspension. How much does a Bülk cost, with and without motor?

[@katcorot]

@@mnveloguy I'm heavily considering that now. I'm going to try to adjust position more, but so far the stiffing rib along the inside is preventing me from being able to move steering and after I moved pedals to proper length, my feet and knees are binding on the bodywork. My previous velo was the antique Borealis, made somewhat local to my area, I got it 2nd hand. The body was bloated but I had luggage space and breathing room around my shoulders/arms.

[@mnveloguy]

@@simondara1971 the factory doesn’t offer a version with motor. I have seen one reference online to someone getting one through a German dealer with motor. The biggest issue would be q-factor. The Bülk is quite narrow and that could pose an issue with how wide the pedals end up being from each other with motors. Unless you live in a very mountainous area, the Bülk really wouldn’t need a motor because it is so efficient. Base price in EU is $9750. For North American buyers (we don’t pay the tax) it is $8230 roughly, depending. On current exchange rate.

[@gerritgovaerts8443]

The ability to fit a wide range of riders is both a pro and a con . IMHO it implies that aerodynamic efficiency is not optimal for smaller riders . Is the Buelk as big as a Milan GT or more like a Milan SL ? I would be very much interested in a sized down version of the Buelk

[@mnveloguy]

The Bülk is similar in size to the Milan SL, but the wheel wells are a bit smaller to accommodate wider thighs, and the shape is a bit wider at the shoulders to accommodate larger riders. The speed is very very close to that of the Milan SL. If they made it any smaller, you might as well just get the Milan. The flexibility means multiple family members could potentially share the bike.

[@4nz-nl]

@@mnveloguy Would like to elaborate on that, as I ride Bülk now but used to have a Milan GT as daily. My gf rides a Milan SL which I repaired so we can compare all of them :-) The wheel wells of the Bülk are not smaller, just better designed. In the Milan, the shape is somewhere between a V and a U, which causes my quadriceps to fight the tiller on every pedal stroke (only when I stretch my leg). The width of the Milan SL and Bülk is exactly the same, only the Bülk is wider at the shoulders. It tapers off a bit quicker, I have the impression that the fact that it is shorter helps mitigate the loss of aerodynamic efficiency a little bit. What also helps is that the drivetrain is more efficient than that of the (Mk5/Mk6) Milan SL; the Mk7 SL has the optional boom support which stiffens it up quite a bit (that can also be mounted to older models). When accelerating, it gets you up to speed quicker and although it doesn't noticeably help cruise speed, accelerating faster does influence average speed. Concerning speed: on a side wind or a headwind on an angle, the fastest of the three is the Milan GT. It sails a lot better than the other two do, Bülk comes second there. Straight into a headwind, the SL is most efficient, very closely followed by the Bülk (compared with the combi hood). The GT simply has more frontal area. Concerning smaller bicycles for smaller riders; there's a lower limit concerning how far you can go with shrinking a velomobile, and I believe the Milan RS and Snoek are more or less on that lower limit (haven't seen the W9s but probably it's around that too). Reason is that the world does not really shrink with you or your velomobile; to make it smaller, you'll probably also want to make the track less wide, which then requires lowering the velomobile or maybe even going for a smaller wheelsize. In turn, that'll make it less stable so you'd have to bring the center of gravity down too. Now imagine a dinky toy, and how it would fare on actual real life tarmac; the smallest inconsistencies would cause issues. In the Netherlands, especially in larger cities my comfort-Bülk on 32-406 front tires is about the lowest that's usable on our speed bumps etcetera. The SL is also on 32-406 and scratches the surfaces more often; lowered and on 28-406, it would really be problematic like a teenager's Honda.