They mentioned in Wednesday's tech talk that a hitch for lightweight trailers will be an option, so you can use that for bike rack. Just expect to get a fraction of the mileage if you drive fast. They stated that the drag from 2 typical pickup truck side view mirrors is greater than the entirety of Aptera's drag.
A hitch would be a very highly desired feature for me. I go bike riding a lot in the summer. The range hit wouldn’t be an issue, as the Aptera would easily exceed the range of my i-MiEV even with two ebikes hanging on the back.
Lots of cool folding bikes available now... both electric and non-electric models. Maybe switch to carrying your bike inside rather than on an exterior hitch.
Percy: Assuming that John Forde is even close to being correct with his storage space estimates of "66" long, 40" wide and 27" tall sloping down to about 6"*, an average sized road bike will fit with front wheel off and handlebars toward the front. (The width will be a very tight fit for the saddle to largest chainring.)
I haven't found a way to fit two bikes inside, so I will need that aerodynamic, hitch-mounted bike rack.🙂
* Discussion of internal dimensions found in another thread.
@Tom Kruer What I heard in an Aptera video was 7' of length in back with the seats forward. That would be amazing. 6" of height at the rear is not really enough for feet when sleeping, so I would have to slide further forward.
That's a bare minimum requirement, really love this aero E-"machine". Yeah two bikes would be ideal. I used to own (a KIA Sportage 2005, and now have Subaru Forester) and can put two bikes side by side in a fork mount on a flat bar inside, handle bars to the front and seat posts removed. This is very efficient, leaves plenty of room for gear, but requires a minimum of 80cm/32in of height in the back. What is aerodynamically not compatible with body designs -- not even any of the Teslas allow for that :( But also it only needs a few inches in width at that height. So I wonder if a custom "hatch" with say two fin like extrusions to fit the upper frame section with rear wheel could be custom designed with minimal aerodynamic impact. No sure if you can imagine what I mean, could try to make a sketch...
Mount points would add drag to the car 100% of the time just for the 1% of the time that people use them. Besides, resting and banging things against the roof of the car that is covered in solar cells is not a good idea. solar cells are fragile.
Better off with some kind of covered trailer hitch behind the back wheel where it wouldn't be as much of a drag.
Just getting an rough idea about dimensions, wonder if possibly some space inside the hull below the cargo area surface behind the rear wheel could be utilized? (Center only) Also: May it can be driven (shorter distances, no hwy, and when no weather and no distance worries) with a removed hatch cover or a custom taller hatch?!?! Would be great for local shopping trips for bulkier items as well!
In looking at the latest interview by Munro and looking directly into the open hatch, it looks big enough to fit one bicycle inside with the front wheel off. It looked large enough to accommodate that one additional wheel too.
Anyone have an idea how to calculate range reduction when pulling something like the VULRB42https://www.sporttrailer.co/PRICES%20VERSA%20TRAILERS.htm at 70mph on the highway? Or, a better idea for a more aerodynamic trailer for occasional bicycle hauling?
The principle of this vehicle is efficiency. Anything that modifies the shape will drastically reduce range.
They mentioned in Wednesday's tech talk that a hitch for lightweight trailers will be an option, so you can use that for bike rack. Just expect to get a fraction of the mileage if you drive fast. They stated that the drag from 2 typical pickup truck side view mirrors is greater than the entirety of Aptera's drag.
So... Who wants to join me in crowd designing an aerodynamic bike rack for mounting to our new Apteras'? 😀
A hitch would be a very highly desired feature for me. I go bike riding a lot in the summer. The range hit wouldn’t be an issue, as the Aptera would easily exceed the range of my i-MiEV even with two ebikes hanging on the back.
Lots of cool folding bikes available now... both electric and non-electric models. Maybe switch to carrying your bike inside rather than on an exterior hitch.
Post on Trailers
About bicycle transport, will the Aptera cargo area fit a regular road bike inside, wheel(s) on or off?
Percy: Assuming that John Forde is even close to being correct with his storage space estimates of "66" long, 40" wide and 27" tall sloping down to about 6"*, an average sized road bike will fit with front wheel off and handlebars toward the front. (The width will be a very tight fit for the saddle to largest chainring.)
I haven't found a way to fit two bikes inside, so I will need that aerodynamic, hitch-mounted bike rack.🙂
* Discussion of internal dimensions found in another thread.
https://www.aptera.us/forum/general-discussions/baggage-area-dimensions-pics
@Tom Kruer What I heard in an Aptera video was 7' of length in back with the seats forward. That would be amazing. 6" of height at the rear is not really enough for feet when sleeping, so I would have to slide further forward.
That's a bare minimum requirement, really love this aero E-"machine". Yeah two bikes would be ideal. I used to own (a KIA Sportage 2005, and now have Subaru Forester) and can put two bikes side by side in a fork mount on a flat bar inside, handle bars to the front and seat posts removed. This is very efficient, leaves plenty of room for gear, but requires a minimum of 80cm/32in of height in the back. What is aerodynamically not compatible with body designs -- not even any of the Teslas allow for that :( But also it only needs a few inches in width at that height. So I wonder if a custom "hatch" with say two fin like extrusions to fit the upper frame section with rear wheel could be custom designed with minimal aerodynamic impact. No sure if you can imagine what I mean, could try to make a sketch...
I also think that roof rack attachment points would be great for those times you just need to move awkward sized things.
Mount points would add drag to the car 100% of the time just for the 1% of the time that people use them. Besides, resting and banging things against the roof of the car that is covered in solar cells is not a good idea. solar cells are fragile.
Better off with some kind of covered trailer hitch behind the back wheel where it wouldn't be as much of a drag.
I'm sure it could be done cleanly. Sometimes trailers don't work for parking and other tight
Just getting an rough idea about dimensions, wonder if possibly some space inside the hull below the cargo area surface behind the rear wheel could be utilized? (Center only) Also: May it can be driven (shorter distances, no hwy, and when no weather and no distance worries) with a removed hatch cover or a custom taller hatch?!?! Would be great for local shopping trips for bulkier items as well!
Put a bike or two inside the Aptera.
In looking at the latest interview by Munro and looking directly into the open hatch, it looks big enough to fit one bicycle inside with the front wheel off. It looked large enough to accommodate that one additional wheel too.
Anyone have an idea how to calculate range reduction when pulling something like the VULRB42 https://www.sporttrailer.co/PRICES%20VERSA%20TRAILERS.htm at 70mph on the highway? Or, a better idea for a more aerodynamic trailer for occasional bicycle hauling?