I am a relatively new unicycler, after a few months I can static
mount, steer (just!) and ride for several hundred meters 'til my legs
give up. This is getting better but I think I am at a stage when I
should upgrade from a 20 inch learner to something bigger. I am 5’7"
and cycle everyday so I am quite strong.
I am considering a 24" or 26" Muni. I reckon I’m more likely to be
covering smooth off-road trails with my kids in tow (or me in tow)
rather than technical mountain paths.
Is a 26" much harder to ride than a 24" or is it just a case of
getting used to it?
Does a 26" rule out steeper gradients?
Is a 24" noticeably slower than a 26" over distance?
Is there anything else I should consider?
>I am a relatively new unicycler, after a few months I can static
>mount, steer (just!) and ride for several hundred meters 'til my legs
>give up. This is getting better but I think I am at a stage when I
>should upgrade from a 20 inch learner to something bigger. I am 5’7"
>and cycle everyday so I am quite strong.
>
>I am considering a 24" or 26" Muni. I reckon I’m more likely to be
>covering smooth off-road trails with my kids in tow (or me in tow)
>rather than technical mountain paths.
>
>Is a 26" much harder to ride than a 24" or is it just a case of
>getting used to it?
>Does a 26" rule out steeper gradients?
>Is a 24" noticeably slower than a 26" over distance?
>Is there anything else I should consider?
My usual advice for a general MUni would be 24 x 3". If you would
mostly ride with your kids, are they on bikes? Then a 26" might be a
better choice (for speed), unless they are very young and hence slow.
Are you sure your kids would like to ride their bikes on “smooth
offroad trails” often enough to warrant a specific MUni purchase?
As to your questions: a 26" in itself is not harder to ride than a
24". Freemounting may be a bit more difficult but hardly so. With the
same cranks, a 26" cannot go the very steep grades that the 24" still
can, but the difference is not that large. And since you are quite
strong, you will probably be able to ride up steeper grades than your
kids anyway (after some more riding experience). 24" slowness: again
not very much difference. A 26" wheel is generally somewhat weaker
than a 24" but for your intended use it may not be an issue.
Klaas Bil - Newsgroup Addict
“The more you think, the less you have to do. - Leo Vandewoestijne”
My oldest kids are 5 and 6, one is not bicycling yet and the other one
is, we go to the countryside quite alot and he always wants to take
his bike. I expect soon to be going on forest trails and that sort of
thing but nothing too far, too fast or too steep for a while.
I can’t see me doing much on road apart from getting to and from the
local park so I guess 24 is the best choice. I will look into the cost
of getting one with a frame that can take a bigger wheel if I
eventually change my mind.
If you don’t want to do technical stuff, seriously consider a Coker or a 29.
Either of these will do a lot of quite technical stuff anyway, but they are at their best on forest trails, river banks, bridleways and so on - just the sort of places to ride with the kids on their small bikes.
For MUni, as in proper MUni as hard as you can make it, then a 24 with a fat tyre would be preferable to a 26. For cross country, as opposed to MUNi, a 26 is a bit of an inbetweeny size. Big wheels roll over rough ground, and big wheels go faster… and once you can get on, it’s easier to stay on.
If you are undecided about 24 vs 26, then 26 has a much better selection of tires, and they are more widely available. Unless you are doing very, very technical Muni, 26 is better IMHO.
I suggest the 29. It is quite versatile and can go fast enough to keep up with kids on bikes, generally speaking.
It really all depends on terrain. We can’t tell from your bio where you’re located. Is it Idaho or Kansas? Hawaii or Alabama? I use my 24 x 3 MUni only on the steepest crazy stuff. The 29er on most crosscountry is comfortable. I can still use it to hop over little stuff. It goes up and down hill fine. Cokers are fun, but not as manouverable. More or less a one (or two) trick pony. Get on, stay on, go fast with less effort. Good fun.
The diff in speed between 24 and 26 can easily be made up with crank length and/or technique. A 29 will average faster and still is easy to go slow, twist, hop, play around. We’re doing a tire test on the 29ers these days. Do a search for “29er” for a plethora of info. Also do a search for “26 inch”, there will be less for that one, I think.
I think you’re just looking for your NEXT unicycle purchase, not your LAST unicycle purchase. They’re exactly like golf clubs. You don’t want to use your Driver in a Sandtrap. You wouldn’t enjoy putting off the tee. Each has a purpose. You put 14 clubs in your bag. I’ve got 6 significantly different unicycles because they’re all fun…but differently.
–if 24 and 26 are only choices, then I agree with U-turn. 26.
Why not order a Yuni or Nimbus 24x3 and pay an extra $10 to upgrade to a 26" frame? I did this so that the 24x3 Gazz tire would have plenty of top clearance. Then you could experience a 24x3 and always build up a 26" wheelset later
A 24 KH with a Gaz is effectively a 26 Muni. But if you’re basically going to stick with fire roads and forest paths, you might get the cheapest 26-inch MUni frame available and jut go with a cheap MT bike tire.
Fact is, a KH 24/Gaz set up (or one like it) is required only for super technical (rocks, drops, et al) stuff which is quite a different activity than what most folks do or want to do.
I recently made the 24" or 26" decision. I went for the 26" for the higher top speed, but I’ve learned to appreciate the benefits of the 24": better agility and easier climbing. The 26x3" tire has more rubber and mass to swing around when you want to turn. You may not be hitting the technical stuff now, but I bet you will head that direction after you get a taste of muni. I’m also 5’7". I say go for the 24x3". Wear leg armor.
Wow, haven’t looked for a few days and suddenly loads of relpies.
Many thanks for all the advice.
BTW I live in Leeds in Yorkshire in the north of England, not too far
from Cumbria (Lake District) many of you will have heard of.
I thought this would be a commonly asked question, and expected
different answers. The concesus seems to be ‘go bigger’ and his was
the decision I headed toward aswell so yesterday I received my brand
new Nimbus 26" and built it last night. I will be riding it for the
first time tonight, it looks huge in the kitchen and I’m sure I will
be back to basics for a while. Looks a bit scary actually, but so did
my 20" when I first got it.
>Wow, haven’t looked for a few days and suddenly loads of relpies.
That’s probably because the gateway between the Usenet newsgroup and
the forum is working for the moment (knocks on wood). After about a
week of non-functioning I emailed Gilby about it, but I don’t know if
it’s a result of his acting.
(My reply was via Usenet.)
Have fun with your big toy!
Klaas Bil - Newsgroup Addict
“The more you think, the less you have to do. - Leo Vandewoestijne”