Velomobile review / Milan SL MK 7 after 4 months of riding.

[@weevilinabox]

Lovely bit of kit, John, but those rear indicators looked a bit sketchy. Hard to distinguish them from the standard rear light flash.

[@4nz-nl]

Cool video John! A bit less "inner circle" oriented, which is what I like because more people need to consider this option! About that Milan: As you probably know, I have it's bigger and older brother, the GT Mk6, and use it as a commuting machine. It's really wonderful, I use it to commute just over 100 km per day (3-4 days a week) and I get grumpy when I work from home too much :)

[@GarySolomon]

I love how you aimed this vid at a more general audience, John. Nothing shows your devotion to this velomobile more than that clip near the end where you lovingly pick off a piece of dirt which you catch out of the side of your eye during your narration!

[@paulschulman8131]

I live in the USA and am disappointed in the lack of velomobile dealers here (only one I know of is in Texas and I’m in New York). I would love to test drive a velomobile but I feel a fever dream 🥺

[@k04s4]

Same here, in Pennsylvania. $15k is allot to try it out.

[@paulschulman8131]

@@k04s4 I’ve seen a couple people in Pennsylvania on YT have Velos I’m surprised

[@paulschulman8131]

@Laid Back Racing wish I had as many velomobile dealers as I do starbucks drive-in only stores

[@wackedoutdude]

I wonder if velomobiles use drums, over discs to make the hub width narrower. Very good these vids. Very interesting machines.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

I don’t understand why they don’t use disc brakes. With three 180mm rotors they should have plenty of stopping power and heat dissipation. I do wonder how they distribute the braking force between the three wheels.

[@bobbieboothroyd8531]

it's great to see you back John and anther enjoyable video. keep up the good work

[@raymondlelkes9451]

Always enjoy the videos and also saukki for his as well very informative and useful facts

[@karlInSanDiego]

Great video and really good to see you reporting on velos, John. Great primer for the uninitiated.

[@DIY-DaddyO]

What a machine, it's another world...

[@gert-akerosqvist1053]

I notice when driving my MK7 that visibility is most likely not a problem with cars approaching you from the rear (well, a person driving intoxicated is another question) seems to see me well in advanced. But I have been written to (both times in slow mail 😊) that they have been surprised by me and didn’t see me until they almost swoosh by me. I think people concentrating on the road ahead and if you don’t have the running lights on they actually don’t see you and they most certainly not expect something that small and at that speed. This could be a scary thing if on a straight 2-lane country road cars approaching and one of them will overtake the one in front, they will hopefully see you when they starting the overtake, otherwise a turn off-road is a wise choice.

[@4nz-nl]

Free advice: KEEP YOUR LIGHTS ON! It really helps to be seen. Sorry for being not so subtle ;) Also, I notice that I'm seen a lot earlier when I'm in the middle of the road. Stick to the side and they'll try to pass even when there's oncoming traffic. In the middle, well, they can't. When a car is almost on my tail, I usually make a clear move to the side to let them pass if it's safe. If it's not, I stay where I was. Also, concerning being surprised: People often tell me they're surprised and they "didn't see me", but that's quite a contradiction ;) A Milan SL is smaller, but a GT is as high as some Super Seven clones are. If drivers cannot see a 80cm x 100cm blob in front of them, they shouldn't be driving at all...

[@Paul_C]

Velcro is your friend. That is a new one for me, previously it was VPN is your friend. 😉

[@roughfootage6501]

Very pretty but out of my price range. I've been wanting one for years, and you once said "you won't regret it" . So I'm picking up a used e C velo in a few weeks, can't wait to see it. So if my wife asks why? I'll blame you. Cheers John👍

[@rahmanhaditheinitiatortheu8651]

Greetings of peace, thanks for video from Cumberland, MD.

[@AlexTrimmball]

Very cool John... Velcro is your friend!

[@basilliman]

Great videos. I’m learning a lot. I’d like ve to hear your thoughts on the Northern Lights Motors “velomobile” and perhaps they will let you test drive one.

[@oStreaks915]

Saw u in central London bro, cool to see you

[@JimmPratt]

"it lights up the place like...an eclipse" ... I hope not! Because that isn't much light at all! :P (Remember, eclipses *block* sunlight, not make it brighter) :) Otherwise an awesome video, as usual. Keep up the great work!

[@velo-ads4206]

So true!

[@FlyingFun.]

I'd love one! I think 90mph would be a bit scarey lol. Interesting about how visible you are to drivers , I cycle a lot and feels like I'm invisible and is not safe on roads here in Yorkshire. Talking of Yorkshire we have hills, how do these compare with cycling a normal bike up hill? The recumbent position possibly allows better use of power but more weight..

[@velo-ads4206]

Hi you can get up pretty much anything in a velomobile with the right gearing, there are a few hill climbing competition vlogs on my channel which give you an idea.

[@FlyingFun.]

@@velo-ads4206 thanks I'll have a look, I would be tempted to electrify one lol, I have converted a few bikes and it is addictive.

[@4nz-nl]

I'm in the Netherlands, car drivers here tend to overlook anything that's not slow and ordinary, then blame you for it. Riding a velomobile requires a defensive riding style (as does riding a normal bicycle, actually), but I don't feel unsafe. Should an accident happen, the Milan is a lot better place to be than on an upright bicycle. Concerning hills, a velomobile has one less thing to worry about; balance! I rode a few steep hills in France in a much heavier velomobile (QuattroVelo) with lots of luggage, was doing 5 km/h (3 mph) at one point. No problem at all, it only takes a bit longer. If you have a few hills near each other, the velomobile has an advantage; it's really fast downhill and you can easily bring that momentum up the next hill.

[@ashpunting]

This is the sports car of velo wheels it just looks cool 😎 👌

[@ft3Safety1st2]

Did you have a power meter for the oval race? What's your average watts and comparable speed per lap?

[@katcorot]

Thing I've always wondered, is how well the newer Velo's keep out rain? I would think water would collect in the Nacta duct and spray in under speed, as well water coming in around the front maintenance hatch. Would expect some models to be more water tight than others.

[@EdouardTavinor]

On my quattrovelo rain water collects on the front and when i go up a steep hill it sometimes washes back into the cabin.

[@velo-ads4206]

There are two drainage holes on the each side of the hood to drain water from the Naca duct.

[@katcorot]

@@EdouardTavinor That's what my old Borealis did. The hatch was also massive and hinged behind you, so a slow lift to allow water to drain off was needed.

[@4nz-nl]

The Milan design is quite smart aerodynamically. Even in heavy rain most water goes to the sides. Especially with the BM hood it stays nice & dry inside as far as rain water is concerned. I sweat like hell (bad genes ;) ), so I sweat even more in the Milan. We have a shower at work :)

[@davidroche9476]

Magnifique 😳

[@arsenalchamp]

Been following your channel for years and starting to think I might want to get one. Any thoughts on an all around good "starter" velo? I live in Norway, so I wouldn't be able to do any test drives before buying.

[@velo-ads4206]

If you're going down the secondhand route then a carbon quest would be a good starting point. And if the hills are too much, you can always add E assist.

[@bui340]

Recumbent cyclists all seem very nice and relaxed👍

[@chevroletbelair1]

Hi . you are living in the UK? Do you know the velomobile from northern lightning motors? Maybe you can ask the builder for a review of it? thanks for the vids

[@losspedal6151]

surprised to see no ventrisit or anything to not slip, on the very smooth and sliding surface, even it could be uncomfortable for your back, isn't it?

[@velo-ads4206]

I have taken the ventisit out as the seat in the MK7 is comfortable without for me anyway.

[@andreashertting8545]

Greetings from my Mk3 with nearly the same colours

[@DaChocapic]

Nice video! I'm thinking of buying my first velomobile, and I saw a second hand 2012 Milan SL MK1 which isn't as pricy as the MK7. Do you know exactly what the evolutions are betweens all these MK1 2 3 ... 7 ? Would it be a bad choice to start with a mk1?

[@velo-ads4206]

Well there have been so many improvements over the last few years, I would probably try and get at least a mk 5,i think the new rear swing arm and suspension unit make the MK7 really good.

[@4nz-nl]

@@velo-ads4206 The fact that the Mk5-Mk7 (and some Mk4) actually have rear suspension is a good bonus compared to the Mk1 :) But if money is tight, I wouldn't mind a Mk1 either. Just be careful on bad surface.

[@LeesChannel]

Oh boy, being in America roundabouts were foreign to me, I always thought that they were there to keep traffic moving quickly. I encountered one on a 4am ride on my roadbike going 34 mph, and thought I could maintain speed. About 10 feet from impact I noticed that the curb jutted out like a regular intersection, and I crashed. I now loathe roundabouts. I have since learned that roundabouts are actually designed to slow traffic, contrary to my initial misassumption.

[@eca7773]

What are your thoughts on the new Alpha 9 series?

[@velo-ads4206]

Some of them are great if you are a larger rider, I have not tried any of them as yet or seen one in reality so I reserve judgement.

[@edgarbeat275]

What are height limitations and weight? I'm 6ft 1

[@here2teach]

love this velo. Would it fit someone 165 cm?

[@4nz-nl]

Yes it does. My gf is exactly 165 cm and rides a Milan SL

[@donaldtank]

What velomobile would be a good velomobile to go camping in?

[@velo-ads4206]

Pretty much all, just some carry more stuff than others.

[@SKBKER]

richmond park has been great without cars but it needs permanent ban on them . I know this has nothing to do with the video but just wanted to point it out .

[@Nickle314]

Were you going round parliament square today?

[@velo-ads4206]

Yes I was :)

[@Nickle314]

@@velo-ads4206 !! OK, I was stuck on a bus on divert, and went past. Looks smaller in real life than on YT.

[@weevilinabox]

@@velo-ads4206 And what's your best lap time there? 😆

[@DFX2KX]

I'd expect to be pulled over on a velo around here. A lot. It looks like a car and has no plates after all. But to put how fast this is in perspective. That's faster than my E-bike can go, flat out.

[@4nz-nl]

When I ride into new territory, I often get stopped, especially if I ignore the cycle path (which is perfectly legal in a Milan GT over here). After a while, cops get to know me and we just wave at each other :)

[@DFX2KX]

@@4nz-nl I'd imagine a bit of bewildered questions when they find out it has pedals

[@4nz-nl]

@@DFX2KX Especially when they find out it ONLY has pedals and I am the engine. I was recently stopped after accelerating to over 70 km/h on flat road :+

[@DFX2KX]

@@4nz-nl .... 70km/h... Good Lord that's fast. I had a suspicion that the E-bike motor's biggest hurdle was drag with me, and I think that'd confirm it. These Velomobiles have to have a drag coefficient of a falcon.

[@4nz-nl]

@@DFX2KX Well my body type is really that of a sprinter. I'm heavy and tall, my FTP is not so enormous but there's about 2 kilowatts available if necessary. Even without the hood on top, I can hold the Milan GT at a cruise speed of 60 km/h under the right circumstances. If I suddenly go full steam from there it'll go >80 on flat road. Check out "Velomobil Milan SL Race Edition Top Speed 88km/h" on KZbin for a nice impression of a strong rider in a Milan SL: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anqrepd9i6x-mqs

[@rogerrabbit7469]

Is the alpha 7 more comfortable than the milan on hours of touring?

[@velo-ads4206]

Probably pips the Milan if you go for super soft elastomer set up on the alpha. But then you do get more body roll.

[@insighteins1317]

9:41 Have you ever been into a fighter Jet? If no, how do you know?

[@velo-ads4206]

Hendon air museum you are allowed to sit in fighter planes.

[@insighteins1317]

@@velo-ads4206 Can you tell me the aircraft model you sat in? That must have a quite uniqe cabin/window configuration if it was very similar to the BM hood of the Milan. I just want to point out that most modern jets (must not be for "fighting", they can be for arcrobatic purpous as well) have a lot more window surface than closed surface around the pilot for obvious reasons. But as you mentioned, you were in a museum so that might be the reason it felt a bit like the milan. The other huge difference is the sitting position.

[@jalandiswashingto]

Hey mate

[@insighteins1317]

3:35 that light must have been mounted by a blind... How uneven can someone mount a front light? Well, just look at it...

[@Velomanable]

Can car drivers see my velomobile" not by some range rover drivers as i found out! usually yes like a spaceship in a field lol