Funny how people experience the same thin differently. I like variation, sometimes I even take the 20er although I know that the 29er or 36er are better suited. When I stay off a certain uni/wheel size for too long it takes a couple revolutions to get accustomed again.
Yes, I think you get used to it with time and I like variation too. And in general I think the different combinations help as you learn better overall balance. I switch multiple times a week from 20" 89mm without brake to 36"/125mm with disc as well as to 29+/110mm. On the muni I always feels instantly at ease. On the others I need maybe a minute or so. But I have sometimes experienced failing the first 2-3 freemounts on the 36 directly after riding my 20". Or feel freaky spinning the 20" fast without a brake.
possibly youāre right and I shouldnāt worry too much about not mounting the first time when just starting up. Whether it be a twitchy 19" or the more comfy 29". I do always get on eventually and the 26 and 29 feel right at home. Now that my wife has 4 members of her family come over from Thailand, I seem to have a bit more freedom to go unicycling. During the week Iād need to pick up the kids from school or put them to bed when my wife goes working. Now instead I let the family take care of them and I enjoy riding the unies. These past 2 weeks Iāve ridden more than I have since my boy was born 4 years ago.
Weāre all different. Thatās fine.
I think it was you who recently posted that they often have a hard time to nail the freemount at the start of a ride, but after a few minutes it gets better. So itās not a surprise that using the same setup for a prolonged period helps increasing the success rate.
Itās nice that you had the opportunity to do more unicycling while at the same time your wife was certainly enjoying the time with her relatives. Win-win.
exactly it was me who posted that free-mounting had become a problem. That was why I wanted to focus on the 26 for a while, which Iāve done. The problem is that I like all my 11 unicycles (almost). I guess I will just have to live with it that when starting cold it takes a bit longer to free-mount. Once I get on, there is no more problem and I can ride many kilometres. Also I feel stupid when other peeps are around and I donāt manage to get on at once.
I can relate to that. When Iām out and about on the 36er and have a chat with someone I often say something like āitās nice to ride - the hard part is getting on this thingā. This gives me the feeling that their expectations of me hopping on the uni and rushing away are lowered. So this takes some pressure away from me. If I manage to freemount at the first try: all the better. If I donāt: ālike I said, mounting is harder than ridingā.
After learning and riding for two years on 24"/125 mm switching up to 36"/125 mm was surprisingly easy for me, but switching back to the 24" the gearing was tooo light and it would take several kilometers before i felt comfortable. Now two years on from that with basically any crank and wheel combo itās instantly comfortable.
Itās worse with a freewheel doing muni. Come gliding down a descent smoothly to stop and chat with someone then failing a freemount a few times is awkwardly funny for me. āYou saw I can ride this. I never said it was easy.ā So yes. Mounting any larger wheel definitely adds to the difficulty. Rule of the wise: Just donāt fall off.
I disagree, but just my opinion. I ride all my unicycles, from 16" to 36", regularly. I think the continued variation helps greatly, and keeps me from getting bored.
So today I took the 36er for a ride after not using it for 10 days or so. I wasnāt really eager to ride it but thought it was about time to do so again. Mounting it went smoothly and I rode the whole tour with a grin in my face .
come on 10 days. I havenāt ridden my 36 in years. Just today I wanted to try it out and most certainly I cannot free-mount it
10days already feels like neglecting my sweet unis
36r in a MTB race: mildly impressive. 24hours on a 36? Hugely impressive!
I have done MUNI before on my 36er, it is harder but itās a lot of fun
@Maxence I am busy looking for ānutter!ā emoji, unfortunately can not find it!
I really do need to do more on the freewheel, seeing you ride it is quite inspirational.
I remember you telling me the exact same thing three years ago, during a social muni ride at Unicon 20. What are you waiting for spending time on a freewheel?
Well I was right then and I am right now.
is there some kind of protection to keep from breaking your tailbone?
Sure, my legs act as protections!
If youāre not confident with your legs, you could check some reinforced bike shorts, such as G-Formās:
I need the shorts with a built in diaper!