A few months ago, the velomobile community learned that Velomobile World will stop producing all models of the world-famous Velomobiel.nl brand in 2025. The Dutch brand has already begun taking the necessary steps to move production of its bikes elsewhere, but even so, this will likely mark the end of a legend as we know it today. Namely, the Quest, which has been on the market for decades. So it was only natural to interview its designer and co-owner of Velomobiel.nl, Allert Jacobs, and ask him about everything Quest-related, including the rumored Quest 3.0.

Can you tell us a little bit about the history of this iconic velomobile? 
The Quest was not the first velomobile I have designed. The C-Alleweder came before that. That was the first velomobile with a carbon self-supporting body, enclosed drivetrain, 3 x 20 inch wheels with intermediate shaft, suspension, all wheels single side mounted. I had the opportunity to spend a day testing in the wind tunnel at TU Delft. I tested the Quest and the C-Alleweder there as a 1:5 scale model. The Quest turned out to be about 10% faster than the C-Alleweder, reason enough to start building it.

The Snoek is a successor to the Quest, but so is the Quest 3.0. The Snoek is designed for speed, the Quest 3.0 is more practical. The Quest 3.0 has a large entry hole/hatch and two high-mounted headlights like the Quatrevelo, it is more spacious but less fast.

It is not a tricycle with a fairing, it is a fairing with wheels.

 
 

What have been the main changes over time?
The Quest started out like the C-Alleweder with three 20-inch wheels and an intermediate shaft. In the first 120 Quests there was also an aluminum frame on which the chair rested and which continued to the front. Then came a version without that frame under the seat. At approximately number 230 the seat was hung on all three wheel arches and a 26 inch rear wheel was installed without an intermediate shaft. And the swing arm pivot point was changed to reduce the squat. Over the years ever more carbon has replaced the glass fiber in the body. The lighting and electric system have been improved. And the carbon swing arm came as a graduation project from a student from France, derivatives of that swing arm can now be found in many velomobiles. The later Quests are sprayed with car paint for a durable finish and no longer have the polyester gelcoat layer that was applied in the mold.

The history of the places where it was produced is also interesting, right?
For the first years, the body was produced in Germany by Beyss. The bodies were then produced in Slovakia and finally in Romania. The company in Romania was set up by Jan Wijnen together with Velomobiel.nl, it has now become an independent company where also other models are produced.

There were also Quests produced in Canada under license by Bluevelo.

Was it the first velomobile with enclosed front wheels?
As far as I know it is the first road going velomobile with closed wheel arches, the first tricycle with closed wheel arches was the Vector record bike.

Any other unique solution to mention? 
All three wheels are mounted on one side, for which we have developed our own rear hubs. We believe it is important to be able to quickly change a flat tire. All wheels are equipped with suspension for better comfort and better road holding with McPherson struts in front. The chain runs completely within the body and is separated from the wheels, which means that much less maintenance is required and it lasts much longer. The Quest gets its structural strength from the body; there is no frame inside, it is not a tricycle with a fairing, it is a fairing with wheels.

Although these features are not unique, the Alleweder had most of them. The blueprint for the Alleweder and therefore for almost all modern velomobiles was the Verhees Alleweder that  incorporated all the features mentioned above and a few more.

What was the main advantage of the Quest over the Strada, the Snoek or the Quatrevelo? Why were they still ordered? 
They all have their own pros and cons. The emphasis on each of these velomobiles is on a different feature. The Snoek is built more for speed and sacrifices some practicality, ground clearance and turning circle compared to the Quest. The Quatrevelo adds more luggage space and more stability and safety thanks to the fourth wheel, but it does become heavier and slower. The Strada has a smaller turning circle and easily accessible open front wheels, but is less fast than the others.

How many of them did you produce? 
About 960 Quest and 190 Quest Xs so far.

   

 

Do you know of any exotic place where you ride? And maybe some serious trip? 
We know there is a Quest in South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand.

Many serious journeys have been made. To the Cape North in Norway many times. Coast to coast in the USA, tours through entire Europe.

Let’s look into the future. Is there a Quest 3.0 waiting somewhere, any real plans to start production?
We will continue to develop the Quest 3.0. There is a full size positive shape of the shell almost ready. It needs work still. Then we can make negative molds for the shell. Then there are many inside molds to be developed.

What would be its purpose? What are the main advantages compared to other velomobiles on the market? 
The Quest is split up in 2 models. Snoek L for more speed and Quest 3.0 for more practical use, easier entrance, better lighting, easier maintenance, better looks, and more design.

Thank you for answering the questions! 

NOTE: To better illustrate the situation, we also add a recent Velomobiel.nl video, which mentions, among other things, the possible continuation of production of the model Quest and Strada, but by another manufacturer.