How steep of a hill can it climb?
We have tested it in San Francisco, California, going up Hyde street, from Bay to Lombard st, a 21% grade, with approximately 180lbs of payload. It runs really well.
Can the sides be enclosed?
We're currently developing a roll-up cover that would enclose the side openings when needed. This will be available as an add-on feature.
Can we install a trailer for additional cargo?
There are detachable panels at the bottom rear end of the Pedalist. These provide access to the rear axle/hub of the tricycle for attaching hooks to the rear trailer.
How is this different from the Elf?
1. Elf (Organic Transit) is recumbent based tricycle. This results in a more relaxed low-riding position. Pedalist (Virtue Cycles) is city-bike based tricycle. The riding position is more like those of regular upright bicycles, i.e. Commuter, mountain/road/hybrid bikes. This allows cyclist to see higher than most sedan cars.
2 & 3. Elf is 48 inch wide; this adds stability to the ride. Pedalist is 35 inch wide, focusing more to fitting inside bicycle lanes. For stability, Pedalist owe its credits to Nihola of Copenhagen; it lowers the center of gravity by using 20 inch tires, which at the same time, diminish weak points at the spokes length and increase payload capacity.
4. Pedalist enjoys 2nd person to sit in the back & extra space in the front.
5. Learning from Tesla, Pedalist's approach to diminish range-anxiety is by providing higher Amp li-ion battery, in this case 32A (as opposed to 10A). Elf's approach is by providing solar panel.
6. Elf (Organic Transit) is based in Durham, North Carolina.
Pedalist (Virtue Cycles) is based in San Diego, California
Why doesn't the Pedalist tilt?
Tilting is helpful during turning at high speeds. As a matter of fact, we have had two versions of tilting in past prototypes. Here's our findings & why we're back to non-tilt:
A. Mechanical tilt will not stand upright during stops (requiring kickstand), unless you'd go wide and short.
B. Counter productive at an angled road (one side is higher than the other side of the road).
C. Computerized and hydrolic controlled tilting are expensive. You see them in cars like Toyota i-Road that costs more than $20k.
Can I Pre-Order the Pedalist?
Yes, Go over to Virtue Cycles and place your order today. We currently have a ship date of November 15 ,2015
