Re: 26" UW
Gilbertson, William R wrote:
> I mount with my dominant foot down and back just like on a normal uni.
That’s interesting - I mount a normal uni with my non-dominant foot. Maybe
that’s why I prefer to mount the UW that way.
> Getting started (the first revolution) is the hardest part.
Agreed.
> I find it best to hold the wheel with both hands, rock the wheel and start it
> rolling forward, then step to the front pedal while it is moving. This avoids
> the unstable static position.
Yup, I’ve seen someone else mount in a similar way. Looks awkward to me but I
guess it’s down to personal preference.
> As you ride, keep your upper body very straight and stiff with your arms out
> in the V formation. Your legs should be bent more than they would if you were
> riding a standard and you will need lots of muscle tension in them. You might
> experiment with how you pedal. I find my pedaling, especially at low speeds,
> is not fluid but more like a stepping action. i.e. a very slight pause after
> each downstroke.
All good advice.
> I find trying to start from a static position (like the racing starting poles
> at Nationals) very difficult.
I’ve never tried racing one. I did wonder about it once - I tried going fairly
fast but it was too scary.
> I have 2 ultimates. One a heavy tank and one light. I prefer the tank. It has
> a glazed-over 20-year old tire that has seen many coats of silicone on the
> sidewalls.
Mine’s a tank. It feels pretty stable but I’ve never ridden a light one.
> I wouldn’t bother trying to learn unless one could ride seat in front on a
> standard uni. On the other hand, the skill is quite different from riding a
> standard uni. Even people that can seat drag on a standard uni will quite
> likely not immediately be able to ride an ultimate.
Being able to ride seat in front would certainly help - especially if you want
to be able to reduce the wobble on a UW - but I don’t believe it’s a
prerequisite.
> The running kickup mount is one of my favorites and is considerably easier to
> learn on an ultimate than on a standard uni.
>
> Lay the uni on the ground with the dominant pedal forward at about 30
> degrees. Run toward the uni placing your non-dominant foot under the
> corresponding pedal. Flip the uni up with the non-dominant foot while
> you leave the ground. Land with both feet on the pedals and ride off.
I kickup my UW with my non-dominant foot too - but then that’s the way I do it
with a uni.
> I have also seen people hop without holding the wheel with their hands. The
> method is to hop with the pedals straight up and down with the top foot under
> the top pedal.
I can just about bunnyhop a uni these days (holding the saddle). I wouldn’t
dream of trying this.
> My brother-in-law also claims to have seen someone in the Moscow circus ride
> an ultimate one footed. He has a picture but I still can’t believe
> it. Can anyone verify this?
Eeek.
> Have fun. One size fits all!
Aye, that’s what it’s all about.
Regards, Mark.
Mark Wiggins, | markw@ftel.co.uk +44 (121) 717 6255 Fujitsu Telecom Europe
Ltd,|----------------------------------------- Solihull Parkway, | o Birmingham
Business Park, | In the land of the pedestrian, /|\ Birmingham, | the
one-wheeled man is king. << ENGLAND. | O
