Hi, could anybody tell me how much slower a 29" uni with big road tyre is compared with a 36"? Also is a 29" much more usable for commuting generally?
Wheel diameter isn’t the only variable. However, with identical pedalling cadence (rpm) the 29 would be 29/36 as fast as the 36.
The 29 is smaller, more portable and storable, more versatile, and safer when mixed with pedestrians. The 36 is faster once it’s rolling, and many would say more fun.
Spare tyres and tubes (and even rims) are more readily available for the 29.
You can get away with shorter cranks on a smaller wheel. Shorter cranks usually make it possible to spin the wheel faster. That will eat into some of the difference in speed, but will be more “frantic” and more tiring.
When I had a Coker, I could sustain 12 mph or so for an hour or more. (That was at 40 years old - younger riders will be faster!) and the best I have sustained for that sort of time on my 28 is 10 mph. A 29, having a heavier wheel and fatter tyre than a 28 would be faster than the 28, though.
If you’re looking to do any distances larger than just riding to the shops, etc. then I say the 36 would be better.
I have a 29, and yes, I admitt at first it feels really really nice to get a good crusing speed going and actually get somewhere, like you can on a bike, but eventually you ust want the bigger and better 36er. Which, I don’t have yet :(.
The 29 is a good compromise for people who want to do some distance, and maybe do some Muni on the side. Of course you can still do muni on a 36, but the 29 does it better, just as the 24 does it better than the 29.
I confused myself, but I hope i haven’t confused you.
What I’m saying is, get a 36er.
I commute through Central London every day and used to do this on a 29" with 114mm cranks. It was quite speedy and very nimble, but on some of the faster stretches of road I was having to spin really fast.
So, I bought a Nimbus 36. This was a fair bit faster on the long stretches. However, because it wasn’t so agile around traffic, and starting/stopping at lights and stuff was more of a hassle, I found that on an 8 mile commute the speed was almost identical.
I now ride a geared 29" which is the best of both worlds and much much quicker 
As has already been pointed out, the 29er is a much more versatile unicycle, and can also be accommodated on public transport and such a lot more easily than a 36".
STM
Thanks for the feedback so far, I am thinking a Nimbus 29" ISIS Unicycle might be the best all round for me as I am not to tall and like to ride out of the way of traffic where there is usually people. My commute journey also has a lot of junctions or main road crossings.
I tried a 36" and I didn’t get on with it at all. I now have a 29" Kris Holm which I love.
I was advised, and now have a 2.0" Big Apple tyre instead of the 2.3" Big Apple, and it is much better. Keep the tyre firm as well.
I like the look of the Nimbus 29" ISIS, the reason I went for the KH 29 was that I wanted to fit brakes, and Kris Holm Unicycles are really cool as well.
Innes
im thinking about getting a bigger wheel, but im short and fat and deffinetly not fit a 36. so im hopefully giong to get a 29:D , but it wont be till next year:( id absolutly love a geared 29. its the best of both worlds.
i have a 36 which i love to ride but I avoid busy areas because I do not feel comfortable enough to ride in high traffic. If I had to do again I think I would have got a 29 for commuting to work. Don’t get me wrong, I love the the 36 but only in rural areas at this time.
I feel safer on the road in traffic on a 36. You are up higher and more noticeable to traffic on the bigger wheel. I don’t find the 36 to be hard to control, especially while on the road. A 36er is way more fun than a 29er from my experience and I found myself using it far more than I ever used my Yuni 29er…it is just a really fun ride. Geared 29ers are another story though.
As far as the Big Apple Tyre goes…I have only tried the 2.3 out on my geared 29er and I love it so far…I may eventually try out the 2.0 but I see no problem with my 2.3 thus far.
29 or 36
I expect that when my 36 arrives I’ll be able to give some non-biased comparison of 29 to 36 (expect couple of weeks till it arrives)
Can’t wait to try 36 with new nightrider tire in the snow.
My 29 handles the snow really well so not sure what to expect of 36 yet.
Over the next few months I’ll be doing my training on the 36 for RTL.
As far a fun factor, I’m hoping its not going to take to long to familiarize myself with the big wheel.
During the winter months I’ve been practicing idling and riding backwards on 29". Hoping I don’t have to much effort on 36 learning these same items.
More to come.
[QUOTE=legtod2]
…During the winter months I’ve been practicing idling and riding backwards on 29". Hoping I don’t have to much effort on 36 learning these same items. /QUOTE]
Is road salt an issue in your area?
They pour it on so thick here in Northern Illinois that I decided to park my KH29 until spring. Riding in snow sounds very inviting, once I gain enough skills to ride off-road at all, but for now I’m confined to pavement. Just can’t bring myself to practice on our gritty, grimy streets in February.
Road salt & Sand
Parking lots, sidewalks, and roads here are all covered in salt and gritty sand also.
This year has been one for the record books as far a snow is concerned. We received it by the foot, not inch at a time. Snow banks arround our streets are 4 - 5ft and difficult to see arround turns.
When the parking lots are too snow bound, I go to indoor parking lots. I wait till the evening (when office is is closed and no activity in parking lot.).
Since I’m in training for RTL, I really need to ride as often as possible to keep in shape. Yes I also ride in the snow. Riding in snow helps tune my balance and adds resistance to the ride. With the weather as cold as its been, I can’t remain outside as long.
My motto is: ride when you can and be safe.
I prefer 36" for long distances because my 28" is not geared. The 28" feels like a toy after being on the big one, and it makes me wonder how I ever made it around lake taupo (160km) and around the mountain (150km) on the 700c. If you are going to get 700c, why get a 29" unless you are going offroad? It will just add extra weight and cost a lot more money. You can get a huge range of 700c tires- get a lightweight 700x23c tire and pump it right up- the standard unicycle rims might be getting a bit wide now it would probably be best to build your own wheel with a narrow rim. If you are riding on the road you will appreciate the lightweight quality of the narrow tires and the high pressure capacity. You may get more punctures than on a 29 but it is definitely faster til you lose your air.
I don’t know why Unicycle.com phased out the 28" Unicycles (I guess the consumers didn’t buy many). I think everyone who uses 29" for road riding should try a 28" instead next time they replace their tire.
I feel safe on a 36" around pedestrians and traffic. It is the same concept to control as a smaller unicycle, just use a bit of caution and go slow!