Bent N36 frame

lpounds · 2008-03-28, 02:32 AM

I just realized (because my wheel builder pointed it out) that my N36 frame seems to be bent. The left fork has about a cm more room between it and the tire than the right fork.
No picture as of yet, but I know this is not from riding because i noticed it the day I got the unicycle, however, at the time it seemed like it wasn't the frame but the T7 that was mounted crooked.
Now i realize i must have just failed to look at the horizontal clearance between the tire and fork.

It doesn't seem to alter my riding.. does anyone else have a bent N36 frame?

And how come everyone keeps getting faulty items from UDC!? This is my second in one shipment!

saskatchewanian · 2008-03-28, 02:50 AM

I thought that my frame was bent when I got it but it turned out to be a really crappy wheel build. Try putting the wheel on backwards and see if that changes the clearances at all. If it does your wheel is dished to the side but I am guessing this is not the case since you mentioned talking to your wheel builder.

The Nimbus frame is really quite flimsy side to side and should be fairly easy to bend back.

lpounds · 2008-03-28, 02:54 AM

Yeah good call but its def not the dishing. He even mentioned that he tried to switch it around. I have also noticed the flex in the frame. How would you suggest bending it? Flat surface and standing on it?

PS I will review Pete's drilled airfoil with pics in my RTL qualifier write up this weekend. But that's another reason I know the frame is bent. It has been like this for both builds.

unisk8r · 2008-03-28, 03:03 AM

The frame manufacturing process has tolerances on the specs. The welding can alter the dimensions, even in a jig. There are many reasons why a frame is not exactly square.

I find that the slightest side-to-side frame differences definitely alter the feel and the way a uni rides. Most will suggest shims in the bearing holders to compensate. But that can result in a wheel not being vertical.

In this case, it sounds like the legs need to be re-bent, and, once properly aligned, the bearing holders need to be fine-tuned to be perpendicular to the axle.

A padded vice and a good eye are sufficient tools. Don't know if this will help you, but if you want it fixed, manual bending is in order.

Chrashing · 2008-03-29, 02:41 PM

Roger at UDC.uk provides instructions on frame straightening.

2008-03-28, 02:32 AM	#1
lpounds Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 25 Posts: 1,004	Bent N36 frame I just realized (because my wheel builder pointed it out) that my N36 frame seems to be bent. The left fork has about a cm more room between it and the tire than the right fork. No picture as of yet, but I know this is not from riding because i noticed it the day I got the unicycle, however, at the time it seemed like it wasn't the frame but the T7 that was mounted crooked. Now i realize i must have just failed to look at the horizontal clearance between the tire and fork. It doesn't seem to alter my riding.. does anyone else have a bent N36 frame? And how come everyone keeps getting faulty items from UDC!? This is my second in one shipment! __________________ Unicycle Dot Com Canada

2008-03-28, 02:54 AM	#3
lpounds Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 25 Posts: 1,004	Yeah good call but its def not the dishing. He even mentioned that he tried to switch it around. I have also noticed the flex in the frame. How would you suggest bending it? Flat surface and standing on it? PS I will review Pete's drilled airfoil with pics in my RTL qualifier write up this weekend. But that's another reason I know the frame is bent. It has been like this for both builds. __________________ Unicycle Dot Com Canada

2008-03-29, 02:41 PM	#5
Chrashing O>OO Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Age: 58 Posts: 1,706	Roger at UDC.uk provides instructions on frame straightening. __________________ Regards, Ken Unicycles are flying machines! 24", 28", 32", and 36" KH frame based mutts. 26" inexpensive travel.

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2008-03-28, 02:50 AM	#2
saskatchewanian ERIC P Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada Age: 27 Posts: 5,244	I thought that my frame was bent when I got it but it turned out to be a really crappy wheel build. Try putting the wheel on backwards and see if that changes the clearances at all. If it does your wheel is dished to the side but I am guessing this is not the case since you mentioned talking to your wheel builder. The Nimbus frame is really quite flimsy side to side and should be fairly easy to bend back.

2008-03-28, 03:03 AM	#4
unisk8r One Wheel Wander Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 768	The frame manufacturing process has tolerances on the specs. The welding can alter the dimensions, even in a jig. There are many reasons why a frame is not exactly square. I find that the slightest side-to-side frame differences definitely alter the feel and the way a uni rides. Most will suggest shims in the bearing holders to compensate. But that can result in a wheel not being vertical. In this case, it sounds like the legs need to be re-bent, and, once properly aligned, the bearing holders need to be fine-tuned to be perpendicular to the axle. A padded vice and a good eye are sufficient tools. Don't know if this will help you, but if you want it fixed, manual bending is in order.

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