“The Lamborghini among the velomobiles” an Interview with Michael Beyss and Daniel Fenn

The news of a new velomobile from Go-One manufacturer Beyss has gone through the velomobile scene some weeks ago. Meanwhile I managed to have an interview with Michael Beyss and Daniel Fenn who developed the race version of the Go-One Evolution (then with the additional lettre R) in cooperation.

I do not have good photos, but a lot of photos were made during the Spezi and you will find them on the websites of people who were there. Additionally, don’t forget to visit www.droplimits.de the website of the German record team. You will find a lot of photos and additional information there. Meanwhile the third Evo-R- is in the process of being built and its future owner reports on the construction in the German velomobilforum.

BentBlog: Daniel, you have been preparing for the 24h record for a while now. However, apart from your training, you also built your own record vehicle. How did that happen?

Daniel: I want to attack the record on three wheels and for me, there is apart from the Evo the Milan SL only. Everything should be adjusted to you very well when you spend 24 hours in such a vehicle. The SL is too slim for me around the legs. I do have problems with the seat anyhow. The most important issue is to be able to lean forward during the ride. If I don’t do that every here and then, I get rusty at the lower back due to my handicap. There were too many problems to be gotten under control. Hence a complete new construction seemed appropriate.

BentBlog: How do you feel Michael, when a top sports man wants to ride such a prestigious record in one of your vehicles?

Michael: I feel good! Furthermore, Daniel can show the potential oft such a vehicle and test it intensively.

BentBlog: Does it hurt that he modified the original vehicle so much?

Michael: No, not at all. Additional modifications had to be made to build an even faster vehicle than the Evolution. Additionally, it persists looking good. You can see that the –R- is fast.

BentBlog: So, let’s talk about the hard facts. What did you change compared to the original Evo?

Daniel: It is a little shorter and 8cm slimmer. It is 10cm lower at the head. The wheel housings lost depth significantly.

BentBlog: How did the dimensions of the vehicle change (Length, width, height, wheel base)?

Daniel: L 266cm, W 64cm, H 85cm, wheel base 133cm, track width 66cm

BentBlog: How does the weight compare to the Evolution?

Michael: Applying carbon/kevlar/honeycomb we managed to build a super-stiff vehicle with a weight of roughly 20kg. We plan to offer the Evolution in the same building technique for larger drivers.

BentBlog: That’s interesting. Besides the light Evolution there is, pretty new, a new light Strada, a light Quest seems to be in the process of being built. Also WAW aims for a 20kg –VM: Is this the next evolutionary step in the VM-branch?

Michael: I am hoping very much that the VM-Branche in general is developing, and I like to take the leadership here. However, you have to see clearly that extremely light constructions also mean additional effort / more costs in relation to production time, choice of material and components, this translates to very high additional costs.

BentBlog: Which components did you assemble, Daniel?

Daniel: Srm, SramXX

BentBlog: Compared to the standard Evo – how did the riding characteristics change?

Daniel: Compared to my old one, the drivetrain has improved extremely. Apart from that it is significantly more fleet-footed.

BentBlog: How do you evaluate your measures with respect to speed? Do you already have data from your SRM-Cranks?

Daniel: You cannot make a final statement so easy. But when I say 48km/h at 180Watt with opened roof, this is not exaggerated as a rule for the series.

BentBlog: Michael, you are going to produce the Evo R as a series-production vehicle. Will this new series deviate from Daniel record vehicle?

Michael: More or less it will be realized almost in the same way. But it should have an adjustable seat for fine tuning. Apart from that the Evo-R- will be adjusted to the  rider exactly.

BentBlog: Are you yourself also going to ride an Evo-R?

Michael: My own Evo-R- is under construction right now and standing on its wheels already. Apart from little differences it is the same as Daniel’s.

BentBlog: May I ask what such an exclusive vehicle will roughly cost?

Michael: The Price for an EVO–R- is not yet a final one, however, it will be around 12.000 Euro. For this, the customer will receive a carbon/kevlar/honeycomb vehicle, adjusted to him, ready to go, with hardtop, light, hardened windscreen and excellent components. Having a weight of about 20kg, this can be called the Lamborghini among the velomobiles.

BentBlog: How much does it help during the (further) development of a velomobile to have someone like Daniel, who takes the device to its limits? Is Daniel already a Beyss-employee?

Michael: It is an interesting and helpful experience to see a vehicle from the view of a strong sportsman and to optimize it then. I found it remarkable to see him spending 10 hours on making a strut 150gr lighter, but the result speaks for him. He is not a Beyss-employee yet, but we are negotiating. He definitely already is a likable guy and a detail-oriented tinkerer.

BentBlog: Daniel, apart from this fantastic vehicle, how about the training? Are you within your schedule?

Daniel: I don’t feel any bustle right now.

BentBlog: We know, you want to attack the 24h rekord. Did you preset for yourself, how far you intend to go in that time? Will you also attack the 12h record?

Daniel: In the first instance this will be determined by the vehicle.

BentBlog: You participated in the DLC-Race in Paderborn recently. How are your experiences? Will the Evo –R- be significantly modified?

Daniel: No, in essence, the vehicle is ok, however there are allways little improvements in details.

BentBlog: What share will the tyres have? Do you already know, which tyres you will take?

Daniel: As there is little choice, I will probably take special tyres provided by Schwalbe. First tests are very promising.

BentBlog: All my best for both of you and I wish you good success with the velomobiles from the Beyss company. Michael, Daniel thank you very much for this interview!