I suspect that the canopy is mostly there for aerodynamical reasons.
With the canopy you should be able to ride with less effort and at a higher speed due to less wind resistance.

This will also improve the electrical range (go further on one charge).

The 80's C5 was also windtunnel designed, but still open. Even then there was a large efficiency improvement (in a video someone said 75% more efficient than a normal bicycle).

The canopy of the X1 not only makes it look very nice, but will probably keep most rain off the rider/driver.

Personally I'm looking for two types of electric vehicles:
1. an electrically powered folding bike (in town runaround, multimodal)
2. a crossover between a car and a bicycle, also electrically powered (more for the out-of town trips, with weatherprotection and luggage space)

The X1 looks to be a nice candidate for the latter category, so I'm very interested!

job

[quote="donjoe"]I don't understand something here: why have that canopy there, adding to the total weight, if it's not going to protect you from the rain (which it isn't, with those huge gaping holes on the sides)?[/quote]

Once you get moving on the bike, it should give a measure of protection. Placing side curtains on it could make it unsafe. I saw a bike that used a design set-up like this and a number of things happen.The side profile with side curtains greatly increase area that can be blown in the wind. Cross winds then can blow the bike around making handling very difficult.

The other problem is that body heat can build up in colder weather causing the interior fog up. A design with the option of an open cockpit takes this problem away.

One other item I read about was the increase in recumbent trikes sales. Many users of velomobiles prefer the use of a trike base over a two wheels bike. I test rode a velo-trike design in 2001 an wrote a review about it. Here is a link to the review.
http://stevbike.hubpages.com/hub/Velo-mobile-Review

I think this could one of the reasons why there is very little info about the X-1 now.

I was wondering how well the Sinclair X-1 was doing. I tried looking up reviews of it but nothing new so far. I like the design but very little press about it to me means very few people really know about it still. :(

I just want to share what I've read a new Sinclair is The X-1 electric vehicle can drive 10 miles for just £0.10p (based on an average weight passenger using pedal assistance)
-It requires no fuel, just a lightweight rechargeable battery pack (24v Lithium Polymer pack supplied, secondary pack available as an option at extra cost of £50)
-A super efficient MCR pancake motor is linked to rear wheel by fixed gear drive chain (motor rated at 190 watts, wheel size: 16")
-Front and rear disc brakes provide 100% stopping power
-Adjustable suede covered handlebars to suit any position
-Waterproof Acrylic bubble protects driver and includes integral roll cage frame bonded to monocoque chassis
-Reclining nylon seat - highly comfortable on long or short journeys.
-Superlight construction using carbon fibre lower shell and steel chassis (weight: 30 kilos)

I don't understand something here: why have that canopy there, adding to the total weight, if it's not going to protect you from the rain (which it isn't, with those huge gaping holes on the sides)?

Videos of X-1 :wink:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=818kI1h3KyQ[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXUKIKlGu-s[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qjx-389uhw[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eshkQVrvks[/url]

Wait a minute... Is he the same model who demonstrates the A-bike in this video?
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOadFVB9JVU[/url]

[img]http://pub.paran.com/dynafeel/Sinclair%20X-1%20intro.gif[/img]

[list]Two Wheel Electric Velomobile (16")[/list]
[list]Electric Motor Assist : 190watts, lithium-polymer battery[/list]
[list]Weight : 30kg, Fairing(Carbon+Acrylic), Chassis: Steel[/list]
[list]Dimension : 209 X 140 X 69 cm[/list]
[list]Price : GBP595(US$965)[/list]

Sinclair X-1 seems to be the first 2 wheel velomobile. The others usually have 3 wheels.. or just run on race courts. I like its simple design concept and the cheap price :D

Information from the same website: There'll be official electric version of the A-bike soon. :o
[url]http://www.sinclairzx.com/spec-a-bike-e.html[/url]

Looks very interesting! I hope it does well. The real trick is to get the design so that the rider can adjust the seat for various sized riders. I build something like this in 2000. Here is a link to the bike I built.

http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/2000-fairing-covered-low-racer-613.

If the X-1 is anything like my bike, it should be a blast to use.

It also looks like a new forum listing as well for people to report on this new machine.

stevbike

Here it is: a new Sinclair C5 for a new generation, I guess.

What do people on here think?

[url]http://www.sinclairzx.com[/url]