Meufl is an acronym for a sort of research institute Harald Winkler has founded at some point. I think it's called something along "mitteleuropäisches Forschungslabor". He has made loads of projects based around human power and regenerative power. And he is unconventional. His newest trike can even be used as a canoe.
He could have kept the chain to the driven wheel even shorter if he made a reverse/tadpole trike. My mother has a granny trike and she tried a few makes and models. She really didn't like trikes with only one driven wheel, different cornering characteristics depending on direction. She has one with a differential which works a lot better. I find it steers along with gravity, so a slight slope to the side of the road requires constant compensation. I haven't driven a tadpole yet, I don't know how sensitive it is in that sense. I am tinkering on a velocar myself (think more practical than speedy, so a door and not as aerodynamic). After lots of sketches, a central beam and a single driven wheel at the back seemed to make the most sense. With some nods to old-fashioned wood aircraft construction, that single beam can be very light and stiff. I find the u-shaped frame of this MEUFL essentially a double beam, so heavier than it needs to be. But it makes sense when you want that pedal crank that needs two attachment points. There just isn't one way to do this. I really like his use of foam for the bodywork. Velomobiles tend to be noisy. I'm a little concerned about absorption of water and fungus growing in there. It's closed cell foam, but the surface layer is not super smooth.
I see alot of velomobiles costing more than a car, and weighing more than 3 bikes together. What i want is light, dry, nimble and cheap. But that just ain't available.
This is so cool, its even weird by the recumbent standards.
But when you think about it - its really elegant.
Meufl is an acronym for a sort of research institute Harald Winkler has founded at some point. I think it's called something along "mitteleuropäisches Forschungslabor".
He has made loads of projects based around human power and regenerative power. And he is unconventional. His newest trike can even be used as a canoe.
München, the M stands for München, or Münchener. Don't know about the rest. His motto is Vortschritt trotz Technik, advance despite technology. 😉
MEUFL is a legend
He could have kept the chain to the driven wheel even shorter if he made a reverse/tadpole trike. My mother has a granny trike and she tried a few makes and models. She really didn't like trikes with only one driven wheel, different cornering characteristics depending on direction. She has one with a differential which works a lot better. I find it steers along with gravity, so a slight slope to the side of the road requires constant compensation. I haven't driven a tadpole yet, I don't know how sensitive it is in that sense.
I am tinkering on a velocar myself (think more practical than speedy, so a door and not as aerodynamic). After lots of sketches, a central beam and a single driven wheel at the back seemed to make the most sense. With some nods to old-fashioned wood aircraft construction, that single beam can be very light and stiff. I find the u-shaped frame of this MEUFL essentially a double beam, so heavier than it needs to be. But it makes sense when you want that pedal crank that needs two attachment points. There just isn't one way to do this.
I really like his use of foam for the bodywork. Velomobiles tend to be noisy. I'm a little concerned about absorption of water and fungus growing in there. It's closed cell foam, but the surface layer is not super smooth.
At this Channel you can find more Meufl Videos.
Thank you, those are great!
Thanks for sharing!
Too bad good ideas like this one doesn't reach market.
I see alot of velomobiles costing more than a car, and weighing more than 3 bikes together.
What i want is light, dry, nimble and cheap.
But that just ain't available.