2009 KH lineup - details and info

[scotthue]

@kerosian

They aren’t any heavier, since the are hollow and use thin walls. The benefit is the large flanges, which make a stronger wheel.

Ah, thanks. Does it help with lateral tension then?

[kerosian]

I think, I would need some kind of actual data to back that up. I just know that bigger flanges + wider hub = stonger wheel.

[scott_ttocs]

@cbs

Think I understand. Is it possible to see a picture of this done? I am very bad with words, very much a hands on/visual learner. So basically for the slot I take a wood drill or do I need a metal drill and drill a hole to create a V down the top of the tube?

You cut down the tube with a hacksaw. Then you need to extend the slot so that the metal can bend and clamp the seat post. I am not sure how you do that with a drill.

The proper tool is a milling machine and a milling bit. Drills are designed to cut down, whereas milling bits are designed to cut sidewase. You could also just use a Dremel with a metal grinding bit to extend the slot a short distance. A hacksaw would also work. If the original slot is long enough and you are only taking off a half-inch, you could probably just leave it alone.

You might set up your unicycle to the minimum height and see if it works. If the seat is still too tall, post a picture of the tube, tell us how much needs to be cut off, and ask for advice.

[cbs]

@scott ttocs

You cut down the tube with a hacksaw. Then you need to extend the slot so that the metal can bend and clamp the seat post. I am not sure how you do that with a drill.

The proper tool is a milling machine and a milling bit. Drills are designed to cut down, whereas milling bits are designed to cut sidewase. You could also just use a Dremel with a metal grinding bit to extend the slot a short distance. A hacksaw would also work. If the original slot is long enough and you are only taking off a half-inch, you could probably just leave it alone.

You might set up your unicycle to the minimum height and see if it works. If the seat is still too tall, post a picture of the tube, tell us how much needs to be cut off, and ask for advice.

My next uni will be a 24 muni so probably dont need to cut that frame. But I will want a 29/36 one day most likely. So just trying to figure this out!

[lunicycle]

Collected my 29" freeride wheel today. Unfortunately I could only fit in a short ride but first impression was that it has more of the stability and feel of the KH24 vs the standard rim. Nice as that’s the main thing the 29 lacked.

I’ve posted more notes and pics in my blog
http://unplannedismounts.com/2009/04/30/kris-holm-freeride-29-project/

Hope to do some back to back rides in the next couple of weeks, on the standard rim then freeride rim, as well as try out a couple of the tires I’ve got here. Look forward to hitting the trails tomorrow and over the weekend!

[cbs]

Well, looks like I might be ordering the KH24 muni cause I WANT ONE lol and putting a hookworm on it to begin with. But seems like I DO need to cut the frame down 1/2" to 1" max. Especially if I dont want to buy a new seat, etc. My brother has a dremel I can use for the notch and work has a hacksaw. I guess I shouldnt be concerned? I usually dont experiment on pricey toys I love…

[munirocks]

Don’t cut the frame if you can get by with shortening the seat post only. If you can’t fit on the 24" with a shortened seat post you must be very small to say the least. So cut down the seat post as far as necessary, you shouldn’t need to change the frame of a KH24.

[cbs]

@munirocks

Don’t cut the frame if you can get by with shortening the seat post only. If you can’t fit on the 24" with a shortened seat post you must be very small to say the least. So cut down the seat post as far as necessary, you shouldn’t need to change the frame of a KH24.

I’m VERY short and wirey (narrow/tiny! I’m just over 5 feet tall. My inseam WITH shoes on is 28". The inseam min. is about 28.5" if you just bottom out the seatpost and if I change the seatpost to the one on my trials, it will be close. I cant ride with my knees locked out. I’ll probably have to lose the saddle too. I kinda want a soft saddle for distance though as probably this will be my most ridden uni starting on road, later for muni. I am assuming I will have to chop off 1/2" if I dont want to also buy another saddle.

[munirocks]

Well, it also depends on the crank length. For longer cranks you’ll have to have a lower seat than for shorter ones. So maybe You’d be fine with shorter cranks. If you’re not going offroad anyways, shorter cranks like 137mm or 125mm could be a good choice. Another possibility would be plateau shoes like in the picture below:p. But cutting 1/2" off the frame might be a better idea after all.

[cbs]

lol. Well it will be for muni later! I need to get better first. But at work they will find someone to help me if I need it. So its on order! I cant wait to go fast.

[wickedbob]

Hey kris what is the spoke length for the 09 trials wheels? Looking to order some. Appreciate it.

-Mike

[lunicycle]

@danger_uni

Cool to hear you got one, will be interesting to see what you think. The idea was to create the feeling of a high volume large diameter tire without the weight of it. Works for me and the one other person who tested it, Josh Schoolcraft, but I’m interested to hear if others agree.

Kris I’ve had some great rides on the 29er with the ‘freeride’ rim. It feels like a dedicated off road uni now, a big brother to the 24, which is a blast. I’m probably going to swap back to longer cranks on the 29 and try some of the harder trails I’ve avoided in the past when riding the 29er.

Great stuff!

Some extra pics, video and info on how the new rim is going
http://unplannedismounts.com/2009/05/02/kris-holm-freeride-29-road-test/

[Jordan]

sorry if i missed this but what size of cranks do you have on that?

[munirocks]

@Jordan

sorry if i missed this but what size of cranks do you have on that?

137mm (at least it says so on his blog)

[Harley]

@toniruckschloss

Kris, i have a question, the 2009 fusion/street saddle have higher profile than 2008 saddles?

Bumping this one up. Kris any answer re: Toni’s above question?

[danger_uni]

The Fusion Freeride is the same height profile as the '08 but with the deeper cutaway. The Fusion Street is slightly higher profile than the '08 saddle (several mm thicker). This was a manufacturing issue; it was supposed to be the same and likely it will get thinner in 2010. That said, it is OK to grab SIF as-is and is also easy to change with the removable cover - just cut the foam thinner if you want that.

Kris

[agentQ]

Kris,

Sorry if this came up already in this thread and I missed it. Are the new saddles compatible with the Miyata style CF base, or neither? Or can the old KH style CF be drilled to take the new back bumper?

thanks
-Sam

[danger_uni]

The new saddle frames aren’t similar to the Miyata style CF base because the curvature on the seatpost plate is different. However I bet that the foam and seatcover would fit OK.

The new back bumper is 10 mm wider than the '08 saddle frame, so I don’t think it will fit the existing KH style CF base. The front handle is the same on both.

Kris

[munirocks]

I saw that they say about the KH26 frame that it can fit tires up to 2.6". Is this true and if so, which one(s) meet(s) the required maximum outside diameter? Would the Gazza 2.6 fit by any chance?

[Harley]

@danger_uni

The Fusion Freeride is the same height profile as the '08 but with the deeper cutaway. The Fusion Street is slightly higher profile than the '08 saddle (several mm thicker). This was a manufacturing issue; it was supposed to be the same and likely it will get thinner in 2010. That said, it is OK to grab SIF as-is and is also easy to change with the removable cover - just cut the foam thinner if you want that.

Kris

Thanks Kris.