So I swapped out the rubber block pedals for some no name alum. pinned ones that I had, and put a Nimbus gel cow seat on. The hairpin seat it came with is cool to look at, but worthless for comfort. I don’t know if rubber has changed since the 60’s but it rides as smooth as my Coker. I’ve got a nice 5 mile loop that I’ve been practicing on. My biggest obstacles to overcome have been freemounting (1 out of 10 maybe) The weight factor (just to get it moving) and the skinny tire. I twitch it twitches. Once I’m rolling it’s amazing. I’m assuming a G36 for the first time in high gear would be the same.
Like holy crap I’m flying.
I need a lot more practice to master this beast, but so far I’m not disappointed at all. John already stated they are big and hard to carry. That’s an understatement. I carry it in the truck. I honestly think in an open setting like a road shoulder or an uncrowded rail trail this will be great. I don’t see me taking it into a populated area where tight manuvers are needed. My giraffe I look at as a fun novelty, the 48 I see as another mode of transportation. I think a handlebar would really help a bunch.
This is not a ride for everyone, but it is a ride like nothing I’ve done before. I like it :D:D:D
That’s awesome that you’re liking it as a transportation machine, I’ve never ridden anything bigger than my 29" so can’t begin to imagine what a 48" is like What sort of speed can you pull on it?
I think I’m a fairly slow rider from what I read on here. On the 36 I cruise at 9-10mph everywhere. I had a speedo for awhile but it always said 9-10. Unless I was cranking for a short distance, then I would zip up to a mighty 15.
The 48" seems to stabilize out about 9mph, so I’m guessing I’m cruising at maybe 12-13. No speedo, just using my wife on her bike as a reference. I figure someone comfortable with speed could cruise quite a bit faster.
John I apologize. I should have said rubber must have changed over the years, rather than from the 60’s. I re-read your post and you said you got yours in the 80’s. :o
My 43" Semcycle is a lot of fun. I put 100 plus miles on mine commuting to work and back in the last couple of weeks. I ride through traffic, side walks, some trails, and juggle three balls while riding on mine.
But on Wednesday I heard a spoke head pop. Stopped and checked, yeah one spoke head missing.
The gray wheelchair rubber that Tom Miller always used may be harder/denser than what’s on those penny-farthing unicycles and what’s on the Semcycle big wheels. It may be softer, offering a nicer ride.
Nowadays I don’t think hard-tire wheelchairs are around anymore. There must be old ones running around, but all the wheelchairs I see these days (and I see plenty) have pneumatic tires. Those are probably much better for anything other than a smooth (uncarpeted) floor.
What sort of speed can you pull on it?