I've got my V20c for few months now and have ridden about 500km (310miles). My riding is mostly of the "everyday" variety as in I go places and I can't just collapse in exhaustion when I am there. For me speed and efficiency are important for every kind of riding. (More exhaustion would only be wanted for explicit training porposes and I don't do that.)
One thing that's missing for me for now is capability for really slow riding. I was in a crowd at a Critical Mass and when it got really slow, I needed a lot of space or to put my feet down and "walk". (Sitting in the middle of the back rest that is comparatively easy, comfortable and effective, though!) This problem will pribably shrink with excercise. In a pedestrian crown "Flintstoning" is very suitable.
Hard hitting bumps can be a problem, so some cycle paths or pedestrian paths where bicycles are allowed ans lowkey expected to ride should be avoided. I am looking forward to seeing how a 650b wheelset with as much tire beef as possible will improve this. (Are there more capable seat cushions? Is the Ventisit better suited?)
The slick and thin road tires are obviously terrible on loose ground. That caused my first (and for now only) fall. A good route to the nearest big city hat a segment that I can just bary ride at 15km/h (9mph). Tire choice, especially going for 650b, should improve this situation a lot. Hard packed dirt is no problem, though, as long as the bumpyness is okay. (Have not tried it a lot, yet, but speed/efficiency might be reduced significantly on hard packed with stock tires.)
Carrying ability depends. I have Radical Design bags Banana L. Instead if throwing them over the seat, I put the straps between Frame and seat, so reduce swaying and improve aerodynamics. As they are made for bikes with (steeper seats and) racks, they don't sut quite right and I should add something to keep them from touching the tire. But they hold a lot of cargo and the bike rides well. I rather want a tail box though and a bag unter the frame, between the wheels for aerodynamic reasons and to just throw stuff in the box like on my other bike. - Maybe with a way to still attach the bags when I need maximum capacity for extreme shopping trips.
Vision and visibility don't seem worse than on my other recumbent.
On the open road the Alpha 7 velomobile is faster, but in the city and back roads with more tight corners the V20c can take the corners better and beeds way less effort to reaccelerate after corners and stops like traffic lights or for uphills. (Open road speed might see some improvements with aero eheels, tail box, better setup for my body proportions and more training. Velomobile is not the fastes model though, a Milan SL or Bülk would extend the lead.)
The compact recumbent with full suspension and wider tires is less limited inspite the 20" wheels. I only needed to get off it on one extreme inclination. (Got up the next time I tried.) It is not a slow bike comoared to a conventional city bike, but compared to the V20c I don't want to use is for more than a few kilometers anymore, unless I foresee bad roads and paths for a big portion of it. I now use it in my town only because the things I transport daily really push the Banana bags onto the rear tire and I need a support bracket for that.
Taking the train with a velomobile is out of the question (unless I really have to try it in an emergency), so even for fairly far destinatios the V20c can have the leg up, if I am not certain I would return early enough. It's a bit of a toss-up, though. Sometimes withbthe velomobile I could ride home in time, but If I miss judge, I can justbtake the train with the V20c. In the other hand if I miss the last train or there is no space for a bike* I'd be home sooner with the velomobile.
*) In Germany right now we have three months of regional public transit for very cheap. Often the trains are extremely full and even just people without luggage might not fit in anymore. A folding bike or another bike that can be put in overhead compartments (a lowracer) has best chances to still fit in. Also a folding bike does not require an extra fee. So for riding the trains a V20 might bot be ideal. But it always worked for my for now.
So yeah, depending on what your everyday looks like, I think the V20 may be a nice, fast and fun way of tackling it - be it with some changed or added parts.
Oh and compared with the velomobile it's way less hassle! Easy to get out of the basement, easy to lift and carry just holding the handle bar, can turn on the spot by putting your feet down and lifting via the handlebars, easy to push while walking. Can even shift in standstill: One foot down, pull rear brake, push and pull back and up, shift, rotate with the other foot (system pedal required of course). Only a kickstand is missing.
