More on Aurora

When Steve of Nimbus Kayaks came through town he gave me a call to check the fit. He took one of his bikes off the trailer to give me a chance to sit in it and ride. There is enough room... but just. I am very long in the waist. Although I am six feet tall, my waist makes me seem more like 6 foot 6" or taller when I am seated. Kinda freaky... but such are my genes. Although I could fit inside... just... my weight maxed out the springs and let the tires rub on the body.... therefore... no ride. Stephen assured me that he could adjust the spring for my size... and assured me that the body was able to handle the load!

Some impressions on the bike.

The level of fit and finish is pretty good... a bit more so on the body than on the mechanicals.. which I guess is natural for a kayak builder. All is good.... just the body work is very nice. It isn't the sexiest of designs to me. Good looking... but... oh... I don't know... It is a nice looking design that is more pragmatic than sexy.

My wife says it looks ridiculous.... but she leans that way!

Yellow Velo

Try THIS guy to see another website about the Aurora Velombile.

Aurora

I have ordered an Aurora Velomobile from Nimbus Kayaks. Steve, the owner, assured me that I COULD fit.... which I have heard before. The Stormy people told me.. yes.. I would fit. There was no way I could fit. Nice folks.... with a nice bike that they now admit does need some more work.

Well..... Steve was driving through Seattle on his way back from the Left Coast Velomobile gathering, and made time to stop to let me sit in one. I DID fit... barely. Although the springs were maxxed out by my weight... he said he could adjust that. So... by the end of May or the middle of June... they say.. I should have a velomobile. I am ordering it with the electric assist and scmlumpf drive... or however you spell that! Details on that later ... if anyone ever starts reading this journal.

Do you?

Strike out

Today was the Seattle Bike Expo just a few blocks from my house. I was excited because the Stormy Velomobile from Lightfoot cycles was going to be there. Their prototype was there, but it was immediately clear that it was just too small. Damn. A nice bike at a nice price.... but way too small. The people there were very nice, but it was frustrating. There was also a go-one there and they let me sit in it. The guy was just a local owner from Portland, but he was very generous. He was not concerned about my weight.. and was sure I would fit in. I did.. but barely. Man. My head touched.. and my shoulders were squeezed by the cabin sides. At $11,000... it was just not good enough of a fit. Also.. this machine has no ground clearance really. I must say.. the level of fit and finish in the Go-one is very good. Not a fan of the seat... and I didnt ride it.. but it looks good. The fit and finish of the prototype Stormy wasn't good.. and there are many bugs to work out.. but it does have promise for a smaller rider. They really are going to have to do some major reworking on the body.