New custom adjustable unicycle handlebar

Howdy!
I’m “learning” to weld, and made my first object – a new coker unicycle handlebar! I call it the “T-Monster”, as it is a monster of a handlebar.

Large photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/corbin.dunn/UnicyclesAndParts

The main reason it is adjustable is for me to figure out how heigh I want it. After I figure that out, I’ll probably make a single piece. It is made of steel, from an old bike frame that Jason (maestro) found. Oxy-Acet welded, and my welds aren’t too pretty! I definitely need more practice…

Looks great!
But I notice you don’t have a lot of room for adjustment.
Maybe if you drilled through the under part of the horizontal tube (the one the brake is mounted on), your handlebar could have a really long downtube with tons of up/down movement.

Just a thought.

Yes, I had thought of that, but if I drill through it, it may compromise the strength. For now, i have been just trimming the post shorter and shorter (or raising it up an inch or so). I may cut a hole through it once I make version 2.0. Right now, the adjustable part is mainly for testing to find a good height.

thanks!
corbin

These handlebars remind me of how mountain bike handlebars tend to be straight. Whereas, the T7 handle has a hand grip that is more akin to riding on the hoods of curvy road bike handlebars. I tend to believe the T7 hand position is more ergonomic. Is there a reason you chose that handlebar orientation?

Let us know how it rides!

I would cut the sides down so it dossen’t kill your legs on upds, good job

and snag your entire body in the process!

I picked the shape mainly due to ease of welding, and to come up with something new (to try it out). One motivation was that the T7 won’t fit on my seat base (Wallis CF), and I also didn’t want to mimic someone else’s design.

So far, I’ve only gone up and down my hill, but it allows me to stand up and “crank” up the hills just like on a mountain bike.

Louise isn’t too keen on it; she UPD’s in the front, and has trouble mounting due to its size. As others have noticed, it really is rough, and is really just a prototype (for myself. I’m not going to produce these or anything crazy).

corbin

An idea would be a air pump design handlebar. So that way you could adjust the handlebar up, down, left or right. Also it would have less impact on your skin and bones that way i assume. :smiley:

Very cool

The idea to raise and lower the bar has appeal.

I’d expect the bar needs to be more narrow so it doesn’t hook leg or pant during front dismount or UPD’s.

Do you find it adds much weight in front or do you even notice it at all during riding.

Good work and inovation.

Hi Corbin,
Trying to figure out a handle bar that will help you climb hills like I do, huh? Looking forward to riding the Lobster with you. Any word on a third teammate? Keep climbing and nice handle by the way. Later.

Aj

:thinking: Are you referring to what i said BTW??? :thinking:

So, Corbin - have you tested out your new handle? What’s the verdict? Do you catch your knees or thighs on the horizontal part?