Comparison Berg Black Edition vs Berg Buddy

The minimum age from which it is recommended to use a velomobile. Of course, this indicator is rather conditional: children can grow and develop faster than the norm, and it is possible that the car may be quite suitable a few months before the calendar birthday. Nevertheless, it is still not recommended to violate these recommendations: each age category requires the presence of certain skills, as well as compliance with height and physique; therefore, using the velomobile too early can be difficult, inconvenient, and even dangerous.

The age group is to some extent associated with the appointment (see below). So, children's models mainly have a minimum age of 2 to 3 years, the maximum for them is 4 years. The same age is the smallest found among teenage velomobiles, and universal ones belong to groups of 5 years and older.

User group for which the velomobile is designed. This parameter is associated not only with the age category of riders (see above), but also with the set of features provided in the car.

— Children's. The simplest and, usually, inexpensive type of velomobiles. The latter is associated not only with small size (length, usually, does not exceed 110 cm), but also with a rather modest set of additional features. And the maximum load in such models is small - in most cases it does not exceed 50 kg. Note that most of these machines provide a seat adjustment function - it allows you to adjust the seat for a constantly growing child. However, occasionally there are velomobiles without such adjustment.

— Teenage. Transitional class between children's and universal models. In this case, teenagers mean children 8–12 years old, and this type of velomobile is designed for them (although the age group can start from an earlier age, see above for more details). However the maximum load in such models can exceed 100 kg, but such indicators are not so much an intentional step of manufacturers as a “side effect” of large structures, and do not yet mean that the machine is suitable for an adult. The length of most models is about 130 cm, they can use additional features that are not found in children's rooms - in particular, this class includes not only single, but also double models (see "Number of seats").

— Universal. Also, this variety is called "adult...s" - for the reason that both children and adults can ride such machines. Universal models have large sizes, corresponding maximum load indicators and an abundance of adjustments to adjust to riders of different ages and physiques; and the number of seats can reach 4. However, such velomobiles cost accordingly.

The ability to adjust the position of the steering wheel of the velomobile.

This adjustment can be done in different ways: in some models, the length of the steering column changes, in others — tilt, and in some places these possibilities can even be combined. Anyway, this function provides additional features for adjusting the velomobile to the height and physique of a particular rider (for more details on the features of any such adjustment, see "Adjustable Seat").

The presence of a hand brake in the design of the velomobile.

Unlike the car “handbrake”, which is regularly used as a parking brake, such a brake, usually, can also be used while driving (although there are other options). Its presence is especially important for "high-speed" velomobiles — this version of the brake system is considered more reliable and more convenient than pedals (in particular, because it allows the use of high-performance disc brakes).

The presence of a front spoiler in the design of the velomobile.

The front spoiler is found mainly in karts and special equipment made in the form of karts (for more details, see "Appearance"). It is a shield that almost completely covers the steering column from the front. The role of this device is mainly decorative: it is designed in the same style as the whole car, while the spoiler is one of the most noticeable details, and its presence makes the design more expressive. However, the matter is not limited to this: at high speeds, the front shield somewhat improves the aerodynamics of the structure and reduces air resistance.

The diameter of the front wheel(s) of a velomobile. In fact, this parameter is important, first of all, taking into account the fact that large wheels have a higher cross-country ability than small ones. In addition, data on the dimensions of the front and rear wheels make it possible to evaluate the appearance features (see above): for example, some "special equipment" may have small front wheels and large rear wheels, like in real tractors.

The diameter of the rear wheel(s) of a pedal car. The value of this parameter is the same as the diameter of the front wheel (see the relevant paragraph).

Appearance describes not only the general design of the wheels, but also some specifics of their functionality.

— Bicycle. Bicycle wheels have two key distinguishing features: the presence of separate spokes connecting the rim to the centre of the wheel, and a relatively small width (due to which they are poorly suited for off-road). However, the width in different models may be different; the same applies to the size, shape and number of spokes.

— Automotive. Wheels, the disk of which does not have pronounced spokes, and the overall width, usually, is greater than that of the bicycle wheels described above. In this case, the disk can be either solid or with slots. Similar discs are also used in off-road and tractor wheels (see below), but a distinctive feature of automotive varieties is the tread pattern - it is either shallow (on "universal" tyres and some racing tyres) or not at all (this option is found in entry-level models) . Thus, the main purpose of such wheels are relatively flat surfaces.

— Off-road. Wheels with a solid (or almost solid) disk, which differ from the automobile wheels described above by a deeper tread pattern, and sometimes by larger sizes. This design is designed to make it possible to successfully move not only on smooth asphalt, but also on rough terrain such as dirt roads or even off-road (although without much “fanaticism” - for example, such wheels are usually not intended for deep mud). ). At the same time, note that...in the simplest velomobiles designed for children (see "Destination"), off-road wheels can be a dummy, designed solely to provide an external resemblance to a real all-terrain vehicle; in terms of driving characteristics, in such cases they do not have advantages over automobile ones.

— Tractor. Further development of the idea of off-road wheels (see above). Tractor varieties are distinguished by a deep tread pattern with powerful lugs, as well as an even larger size. Thanks to this, full-fledged tractor wheels are able to successfully overcome not only dirt roads, but also difficult obstacles such as puddles, viscous wet earth, etc. However, this category also includes another variety - wheels that only imitate tractor wheels and are not intended for difficult conditions. They are found in children's models of velomobiles (see "Intended use").

Note that some models can combine bicycle and car wheels in their design (other combinations are not found for a number of technical reasons. In such cases, the type of wheels is indicated according to the majority principle - for example, for a trike with two rear wheels of an automobile type and the front bike will be indicated exactly the car.

The presence of protective fenders on the rear wheels of the pedal car.

Such fenders provide some protection from dirt flying from the wheels of the car while driving; First of all, they protect the driver and passengers, but for others, the presence of fenders may be useful. This piece of equipment is especially important when riding in wet weather or on wet ground.