FAQs
Why is Avatar a 'SuperVelo'?
Avatar is in a class of its own. It is a highly specialised, high-end velomobile designed to prioritise speed whilst still being safe for road use.
How is Avatar different from other velomobiles?
The Avatar has been designed to prioritise speed, whereas most other velomobiles on the market prioritise practical features which can add weight and compromise aerodynamic performance. While Avatar is still functional and suitable for road use, our design focus on aerodynamics keeps the weight down and the ride fast!
Who designed Avatar?
Avatar was designed by Trisled's Director, Ben Goodall. Ben has been working in the HPV field for over fifteen years, designing and prototyping all of Trisled’s past and present models. Ben is passionate about building human powered vehicles that go fast!
Who will build my Avatar?
Your Avatar velomobile will be hand built at our factory on the Mornington Peninsula by people who care about speed. Some parts of the machine are outsourced to local contractors to ensure high quality throughout the production process. Components are sourced from our local and international suppliers or manufactured in-house. Where possible we try to use standard, easily replaceable bicycle components.
Why is Avatar lighter than other models on the market?
All of Trisled’s models benefit from our extensive HPV racing experience and research and development program where every gram counts! Our design processes are also fully integrated, which means that we design the fairing and chassis as one vehicle, rather than one before the other. This process helps us identify manufacturing efficiencies and weight reductions that give our vehicles a competitive edge. We’ve also been working at this for years, building many prototypes with small increments of improvement that have ultimately led to our record-breaking achievements. We are extremely careful in the components and materials we select for our vehicles and ensure all building techniques prioritise minimum weight and durability.
How stable is Avatar?
We’ve done extensive testing in wind tunnels and real-world situations to maximise the stability of Avatar. For example, the aerodynamic profile of Avatar’s tail is shaped to naturally point into the wind. This means that the vehicle fights strong cross-winds from other vehicles.
What does the ride feel like?
Nothing can describe the thrill of going fast using the power of your own two legs, and Avatar gives you plenty of those thrills! Once you’ve gained a little speed, the aerodynamics will kick in and you’ll find yourself looking over your shoulder to make sure no-one has installed a motor! At higher speeds (50-60km or more), the ride feels a little like a small airplane, with small movements from side to side. You will still feel plenty of wind rushing over your body, particularly your head, cooling you down and keeping the windscreen clear of fog. Everyone experiences the ride differently, so we recommend you take a test ride at our factory before placing an order.
Is Avatar suitable for long trips?
Avatar's high performance is best appreciated on long day trips or extended road tours. Its efficiency enables you to extend the distance you can travel by as much as double that of a conventional bicycle.
How fast does it go?
That depends on the engine! However, the Avatar Road HPV will comfortably sit on over 50km/h using as little as 200 watts.
How much road racing and testing have you done with Avatar?
Avatar was tested by our racing team at a 24-hour race before it was released in 2008, and we have since tested Avatar on Australian roads. Our racing team also trains in this vehicle over long distances. Avatar builds on our extensive racing and testing experience with the Sorcerer series of velomobiles and racing vehicles. Visit our research and records page for more information.
How does the hatch work?
The hatch can be completely removed from the vehicle and is attached by two elastic straps connected to the fairing. This minimalist approach keeps the weight down, allows you to easily remove the hatch, and avoids complications and fatigue with hinge systems.
How do you lock Avatar?
We recommend that you attach a conventional bike lock through your vehicle’s wheel and lock it to a stable post, u-rail or another non-moveable object. Avatar also has a parking brake.
How do you transport Avatar?
The best way to transport Avatar is to ride it where you need to go. However, it will fit in some vehicles if you need to take it over a long distance.
Where is the 40 litres of storage located?
The luggage space is located on either side of the seat (20 litres each side). We recommend you use a set of Radical Design low-racer pannier bags.
How does the ventilation work?
Avatar’s fairing has been designed to naturally draw air in from the rear wheel hole for ventilation and cooling. Air is exhausted out the front wheel holes and under the body. This negates the need for vents and reduces aerodynamic drag.
Do Avatar’s windows fog?
On a normal sunny day, Avatar has built-in ventilation to keep the window clear while the vehicle is moving (see previous question). If there are particularly foggy conditions, Avatar can be easily configured with a partial window for extra fog clearance.
How do you fix a flat tyre on Avatar?
Avatar’s wheels (and wheel covers) are removable from the inside of the vehicle using an 8mm hex key. The back wheel fits through a space in the rear of the fairing and uses a quick-release system. Only the lid of the fairing needs to be removed to change a tyre.
Does Avatar have foot wells for reversing?
These are optional but are recommended for road use. You may prefer not to have foot wells as they compromise a small amount of aerodynamic performance.
How does Avatar’s suspension work?
Avatar has rubber elastomer vibration isolators located between the fairing and the chassis, and between the rider and the chassis. Given that the rider represents the majority of mass in the vehicle, this system allows us to minimise the unsprung mass of the vehicle without adding extra weight and complexity. The overall result is that the rider still receives a suspension benefit without the extra weight of a full suspension system.
Can Avatar be adjusted to suit different riders?
Yes. There is an adjustable crank boom and seat inside the vehicle.
What is the maximum height and weight range for the Avatar?
Height: 187cm (6 feet 1 inch)
Weight:100kg
Do you build Avatar to size?
We prefer to know your x-seam, torso and total height measurements before we start building your Avatar so we can ensure you have maximum adjustability.
What colours are available?
A range of auto-style colours are available. We recommend bright colours that maximise your road presence. Two-tones or patterns and designs can be arranged on request.
How long does it take for you to build an Avatar?
Around 3-6 months plus shipping time.
Can I pick up my Avatar when it’s ready?
Yes, we encourage pick-up if you live in Australia. Sea freight (rather than pick-up) is often cheaper for overseas customers, as you will probably still require a shipping box and may need to pay overseas freight or excess baggage with your airline.
How much does it cost to freight an Avatar to other Australian states?
Trisled uses TNT Express to transport all of our products and models within Australia. Freight costs for Avatar vary between AU$300-800 plus packaging (approx. AU$200) depending on your location.
Does Trisled have experience with shipping Avatar abroad?
Yes, Trisled has shipped Avatar, racing HPVs and speed bikes around the world.
What does it cost to freight an Avatar outside Australia?
Please contact us for a current shipping quotation to your location.
Can I install an electric assist system in my Avatar?
Trisled does not install electric assist systems to any of our models, nor do we recommend that you install them yourself. This is because all Trisled velomobiles are designed to maximise the speed you can achieve using your own power. Adding electric assist systems will contribute weight, and possibly make the vehicle more difficult or cumbersome to ride. If attached to any part of the fairing, it will also compromise the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. You should be aware that there may be laws in your country that restrict the use of electric assist systems on velomobiles. Trisled has never fitted an electric assist system to Avatar, and we cannot guarantee that it won’t affect the safety or performance of this vehicle.
Where can I test ride an Avatar?
We offer test rides at our factory on the Mornington Peninsula by appointment.
How do I find out more information?
Send us your question via our
contact page.
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