Hey all. I was fortunate enough to score one of George’s Coker handle prototypes. I believe that it’s identical to the production models, except that it’s not fixture welded. This is the handle that Aaron used for GURAI, so it had over 700 miles on it before I used it. I’ve put 35 miles on it commuting in the past two weeks. My longest ride with it is probably three miles, still I feel qualified to tell you what I like about it.
First, the computer mount is great. It’s nice to be able to safely look down at your computer while riding. The computer can be seen with both hands on the handle even.
Second, the handle has a place for both hands, and is symmetrical, so it can be used by lefties or righties.
Third, the handle is lower than my “homemade Reeder style” handle that I was using. This brings your arms closer to your body, making you more aerodynamic. This really helps with headwinds, as I have been able to keep both hands on the handle and ride.
I have been using this handle on a stock Miyata seat base with the Roach air conversion. There isn’t as much flex as I was anticipating, although I haven’t rode any long rides yet, where I was pushing down hard to relieve saddle pain. The handle bolts to two of the front handle bolts, and a third, which you will have to drill in your base. The rear hole just happened to line up with a hole that I had drilled in the base for my “homemade” handle. I have a few pics here; http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/album97
cheers…Joe in Iowa
I just rode for the first time with my new Coker handle by Barnes and liked it for the same reasons previously mentioned, but did have one problem. For some reason the “corners” or bend in the handles rubbed my inner thighs. I’m reasonably thin so it could be the angle or simply the weld where the handles were attached. I’m going to work on the welds with a dremel to smooth up the edges and try it again. In 4 1/2 miles, it had rubbed skin off on one leg. I haven’t put tape or grips on yet, but might after I attack the edges which might further reduce the roughness. Does anyone else have this problem or know of a simpler fix?
Odd, the Coker handles sold by unicycle.com are identical to the ones used by the 3 of us that recently rode across Iowa. None of us ever had this problem. I’ll go sit on my Coker and check, but I don’t think my legs even come close to the handle during my pedal stroke.
I’m wondering if:
a.) you possibly mounted your handle too far back on the seat
b.) your seat is too low, resulting in your legs coming too high during the pedal stroke
c.) the angle of your seat relative to the unicycle is really funky or something
My legs don’t hit the handle on mine. I do have 125mm cranks, and like to have my seat high, for good leg extension. Plus, I sit pretty far back on the saddle. This seems to reduce “frontal crotch pressure syndrome” caused by the increased air pressure in the front of the air seat when I sit on it. cheers…Joe in Iowa
I just went for a short Coker ride to check this out. My legs are always atleast 2-3" away from the handle with my 4" cranks. Do you have pictures of how you mounted your handle?
I’ll attempt to attach pictures of my installed handle:
— trsrdr <trsrdr.9lq2m@timelimit.unicyclist.com>
wrote:
>
> I just rode for the first time with my new Coker
> handle by Barnes and
> liked it for the same reasons previously mentioned,
> but did have one
> problem. For some reason the “corners” or bend in
> the handles rubbed my
> inner thighs. I’m reasonably thin so it could be
> the angle or simply
> the weld where the handles were attached. I’m going
> to work on the
> welds with a dremel to smooth up the edges and try
> it again. In 4 1/2
> miles, it had rubbed skin off on one leg. I haven’t
> put tape or grips
> on yet, but might after I attack the edges which
> might further reduce
> the roughness. Does anyone else have this problem
> or know of a simpler
> fix?
>
>
> –
> trsrdr - UNi-Balanced
I have a reeder style handle on mine (one hand style,
right handed) and i added about 1/4" to 1/2"
exstention to it using a dowel so that a grip would
fit better (i have biggish hands). anyways, this
handle rubs my leg just a little bit, but not badly
enough for me to care right now. its more of a jab
than a rub, and im going to put on shoreter cranks,
and i think that will help too.
Yes, here are a couple of pics I just took. I may be leaning forward too much causing my legs to be too close to the handle.??
I may have to post twice til I learn how to put multiple file attachments.
I notice that the black covered seat is angled up more than the roach covered seat. this may have a large effect on whether or not the handle rubs on your legs…
And here’s a pic I took while sitting on it with one leg fully extended. It may be hard to tell, but my legs don’t touch the handle. Since I’ve had the Coker, I’ve raised the seat quite a bit. You may find that raising the seat will help. cheers…Joe
I’ll try raising the seat. That won’t help mounts, as it is I can jump up and freemount regularly, except when I’m exhausted. I’ll also try sitting more toward the rear of the seat if I can. Thanks for the tips, I’ll let you know.
I found that my air seat was a lot more comfortable when I raised the front up a bit. I eventually made a seat post that held it at this angle. You can get the same result by placing a few washers between the seat base and the seat post.
Disappointed once again… I saw the thread title and expected to be regaled with stories of the irrepressible Barnes Coker-Handle, one time comrade to Major Bloodnok, and cousin to Hercules Grytpype-Thynne.
If I remember correctly, Coker-Handle had a brief but glorious career in showbusiness, ending in disgrace after the infamous Barnes Coker-Handle Review on Yarmouth Pier when three of the dancing girls fell into the sea and were struck by a steam piano.
