| Practicality
 
 
 
  
     Entry hatch: The large entry hatch has several practical advantages. Depending on the weather, the
    hatch door can be used as a hard top, or it can be taken off and stored in the rear
    luggage compartment. The resulting large opening creates a very free riding sensation. The
    aerodynamics are still very good in this mode and allow efficient riding. When mounted, the
    hardtop is fixed on a hinge and cannot fly away. Opening and closing the door is quick and easy.
 
  
     Luggage: There's a lot of luggage space in the Milan. Even the space in the front end is usable, because
    the large entry hatch allows easy access to this part of the vehicle. The front end contains
    a luggage compartment made from GRP and two bottle holders. The rear end can take long, narrow
    pieces of luggage. There's also plenty of space alongside the rider and directly behind the
    seat. By storing the luggage behind and in front of the front wheels, the luggage can increase
    the vehicle's stability. Storing luggage in the rear end only might cause the vehicle to swerve
    dangerously in curves.
 
  
    Weight:Due to the Milan's excellent aerodynamics, it's possible to achieve sufficient speeds with
    very little power. This also means that the rider will sweat less and arrive more relaxed and
    less exhausted. With 33 kg / 73 lbs even in the GRP version, the Milan is one of the lighter
    velomobiles. This improves the climbing ability of the vehicle.
 
  
     Maintenance requirements: The practicality of a velomobile depends greatly on its maintenance requirements. If
    the drive train were exposed to dirt, sand or salt water, this would require periodical
    cleaning and premature exchange of parts due to deterioration. This is why the Milan's
    drivetrain is completely isolated from outer influences. This keeps the chain, derailer, cogs
    and cranks clean. Experiences with the Quest velomobile have shown that this increases the
    service life of all these components approximately tenfold compared to an open
    drivetrain! Furthermore, a clean derailer system is superior to all other kinds of
    drivetrains (like internal gear hubs) in terms of mechanical efficiency. The encapsulated
    drive train greatly reduces the maintenance requirements. Riding through mud, snow and
    salt water is not a problem any more.
 
  
    Rear wheel access:Besides allowing easy entrance, the large hatch also eases access to parts that need
    maintance eventually. To access the rear wheel, the vehicle can easily be turned
    upside down. It then rests stable on three points.
 
  
    Removable seat:The seat can easily be removed in one motion without any tools, allowing
    convenient access to the luggage in the rear end. This also creates a large, level
    surface in the vehicle, which can be used for resting with appropriate cushioning.
 
  
       Accomodation for rider's height: The vehicle can be adjusted quickly to different riders. The bottom bracket can be
    moved along the frame, and the seat can be adjusted to several positions. This creates
    a big range of adjustability. With the seat recline adjusting unit located at the rear
    wheel arch, the seat recline can be adjusted in relation to the chosen seat position. Due
    to the bulges in the shoulder area, the Milan also fits broad-shouldered riders without
    significant changes to the projected frontal area.
 
 Usage of standard components:
 The two-sided rear wheel swing arm is equipped with a standard 26" (ISO 559) rear
    wheel (mountain bike standard). Thus, in case of a failure on a long tour, it's easy
    to find a replacement. This also allows using a Rohloff hub or a Bion-X electric assist
    motor.
 
 
 
  
    Stiffness:The shape of the vehicle's body (with the bulges for the heels, toes, shoulders and
    knees as well as the air guidance at the undercarriage) results in a very high
    stiffness even with low lamination strength. The body is further stiffened by additional
    beams fitted with upper and lower chords made from glass rovings. This all results in a
    very good ratio between stiffness and weight. Even without the application of carbon
    fibre, the weight is just 33 kg / 73 lbs, which also contributes to easy everyday usage.
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