DF(XL) very successful at World Cup in Austria
- Posted on
- By ymte
- 2
About 50 Velomobiles were present at the World Recumbent Bicycle World Championships in Austria, a large number of them were DFs.
Despite the fact that the DF has been on the market for 8 years and many newcomers have been added in that time, the podium at the World Cup in Lustenau was mainly led by DF(XL) drivers.
The result of one of the highlights, the 200 meter sprint with a flying start.
Pieter Sijbrandij on his DF XL after the 100 km race where he finished 2nd.
We congratulate the DF riders on their performance, to whom the podium places are primarily due. But in HPV racing, the vehicle is always very important as well. We think the DF performs so well here because the races were driven on normal roads. It is nice if a velomobile rides very fast for 1 or 24 hours on an oval track, but the reality is different. The actual use of the velomobile for touring and commuting is much more like 1 and 4 km standing start or a road with sharp corners as in the 100 km race. And on the normal road with braking and acceleration, the DF appears to be in its element.
It is all about frontal area of the vehicle. DF XL is only 66cm wide. Milan SL 69.6cm wide. Snoek wide 67,5 cm. In DF XL you can put larger rider and the position is more upright so you can generate more force like doing legpress. All other smaller velos always need lightweight skinny bikers. It is also 91 cm tall making it work like a fin if you go over 100km/h wind instability of DF is not caused by open wheel arches but buy the frontal rims and spokes, if you buy 50 mm 406 carbon rims it will be as stable as with pants.
I am very pleased with the good results of the Intercity velomobiles.
I'm not good for racing myself, but for me the DF Xl is still the most suitable velomobile for long distances, camping tours and mountain rides.
Particularly helpful for me:
The Tiller steering (everything is under control even with one hand and Manta Manta)
the lowered coaming edge (for quick and safe resetting of the hood)
and the luggage compartment above the swing arm (always accessible without getting out)
Kind regards from the Black Forest