new affortable velomobile model Bülk 4 More (90% of the fun at 60% of the price)

[Marc]

Velomobil designer Jens Buckbesch (Milan GT, Milan SL, Bülk Mk1) and Velomobile World introduced a new velomobile model, based on the Bülk Mk1, at a more affordable price point compared the the "premium" models. Its called the Bülk 4 More, is build primarily made from GFK (instead of carbon fiber) and weights just under 65 lbs/29,5kg.

Since the entrance is the same as the "regular" Bülk Mk1, all available hoods fit the new model as well.

https://www.velomobileworld.com/a-new-v ... ulk-4-more

I believe this is prototype 002 (the big front service hatch came later)




For easier access it got open wheel wells and bigger service hatches.

[UpWrong]

It comes as a 1x11 as standard. I'd want to know that it would be straightforward to add a front derailleur before considering.

[[XAP]Bob]

Probably not bad.. it's an Al front frame, so should be able to add a post fairly easily.
In fact they probably use the same clamp on BB module, so should be utterly trivial.

I've not checked the rear end out - but I can't tell if it's a standard rear end (looks likely), and I can't tell if there would be enough room for a toggle chain (SA CSRK3)

[Marc]

Since the Bülk 4 More has a square aluminium boom, it should use the same 40mm bottom bracket holder that is used as far back as the old Quest or Mango. These bottom bracket holders come with a mast for a derailleur. I have this black Nylon bottom bracket holder from Alligt, with derailleur mast, in my old Milan GT Mk2 for instance: https://www.dutchbikebits.com/recumbent ... ket-holder

AFAIK the new Bülk shares the one sided aluminium rear swing arm with the Snoek.

The main source of info, is the original Bülk 4 More-thread from Jens Buckbesch in the German Velomobile forum, btw:
https://www.velomobilforum.de/forum/ind ... bil.73113/

[hercule]

No foot holes? Nice for aerodynamics and keeping dry, but how do you reverse without having to climb out?

[Marc]

No foot holes? Nice for aerodynamics and keeping dry, but how do you reverse without having to climb out?

After a year or so, I've closed the foot hole in my Milan GT and might laminate it shut permanently. Much warmer in Winter and noticeably cooler in Summer (no warm air coming in from the hot street surface). Usually, I ride up a driveway/property entrance, brake hard and let the velomobile roll back. Its quite easy when you get the hang of it.

Also, getting in and out of a Milan or Bülk with its big entrance only takes a couple of seconds. No comparison to a Quest or or one of the other models with their small entry holes. (I've tried a EVO Ks twice. It fit me like a carbon glove, but man what a pain to get out of it...)

Or, you could simply cut a foot hole yourself with a Dremel and a cutting tool.

[[XAP]Bob]

Since the Bülk 4 More has a square aluminium boom, it should use the same 40mm bottom bracket holder that is used as far back as the old Quest or Mango. These bottom bracket holders come with a mast for a derailleur. I have this black Nylon bottom bracket holder from Alligt, with derailleur mast, in my old Milan GT Mk2 for instance: https://www.dutchbikebits.com/recumbent ... ket-holder.

I have one of those in my spares drawer - made my own steel BB holder for the schlumpf HSD.

[Marc]

I have one of those in my spares drawer - made my own steel BB holder for the schlumpf HSD.

I'm not particularly fond of these Alligt (glas reinforced) Nylon bottom brackets, though. They work, but the aluminium clamps are, well genuine "Dutch High-Tech".

I've got a Patterson Metropolis (similar to the Speed Drive) in my Milan GT and a Schlumpf Mountain Drive (with torque arm) in the spare. Never got around installing the MD, since the Patterson feels like it has less drag and I don't actually need a MD in the North German lowland.

[[XAP]Bob]

Having the torque arm would have made life easier, but I know a fabricator - so I had him make a square section and attach the B shell from a scrap steel frame - then cleaned and painted it... so I have a nice bright red BB to match the velo shell.

The clamps are a "interesting", but they do seem to work...

With a rolhoff at the rear I get a pretty wide gear range - which is more useful in a velo... I can genuinely expect to pedal at 50mph, and winch up a hill at 2mph.
The MD has the same gear range as the HSD, just the other way round... I'd need an absolute dinner plate of a sprocket to avoid exceeding the torque limits on the rolhoff though. One nice thing in a mango is that there is a final gear ratio available, though finding larger LHD freewheels can be problematic.

[Marc]

Light options:

[[XAP]Bob]

I do like the light pod on top.

Seems like something I could fabricate... or just buy and add on to my velo...

[squeaker]

I do like the light pod on top.

Seems like something I could fabricate... or just buy and add on to my velo...

IME with a WAW, mounting a regular front light up there resulted in too much illumination of the velo's body for comfortable forward vision at night. Something with a tight letterbox beam (ie sharp lower cut off as well as upper) might well be OK, though. The light modules do look nice, though

[[XAP]Bob]

That upper light only needs to be a "distant road" and "oncoming cagers"
Supplement it with a light in the vent hole