I’ve been wanting to get a road tire and short cranks to try some distance riding on my 29er, but have been having some of those ‘new uni’ thoughts creeping into the back of my head. Perhaps I’d put some of that money toward a new 36?
Haven’t decided if I’m going to get one yet. But wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on the two most budget friendly rides out there.
Anyone had any luck with the Nimbus Titan? The Big One? My riding would be road only, no muni or drops, but I will be climbing on it. I weigh 200 lbs.
Seems like the Coker with aluminum frame may be better, but I’ve liked both of my nimbus’s.
Again, still not quite sure if I’m gonna bite the bullet, and I still might try using my 29. Just looking for some insight.
Funny you ask, I have the same conversation going on my Facebook page. I’m considering a 36er as well, this is what I was told
First I said I like that the Coker Big One and especially because it is aluminum frame and it isn’t too heavy. I had one, loved it. I’m 5’2" and weight is appropriate to height. The Titan is steel, which I wondered about.
Some interesting input to my post included (not my input but worth mentioning)…
Brake differences, Coker has regular brake mounts,
the Titan uses a caliper brake through a hole in the frame, pretty much a road style brake but a brake is possible (that was one of my questions regarding the Titan)
36 spokes on Titan vs. 48 spokes on the Coker
I was told by one person whose seen both unicycles that it appears Coker Big One crown is wider
Titan I’m told has good tire, good seat, narrow frame
also added was input about the Coker has 12 more spokes of rotating weight- the worst kind
I had a Coker I loved it, I know others who have Titans and they love those, it’s a tough call.
Best of luck on your decision and enjoy, I am looking forward to getting back into the big wheel riding this year.
Weight for both 36ers on UDC page is…
Titan: Approx. cycle weight: 16 1/2 lbs.
Coker Big One: Approx. cycle weight: 17lbs with brake no PI handle
Depends on distance. For rides more that 15 miles, the 36er is king, but for anything less, a 29er is a good choice, especially if you’ll be doing a lot of climbing. I recently built a new 700c wheel for my kh 29er, and it totally transformed it into one of favorite and most ridden unis. I use it only for steep road climbs up to about 10 miles. It weighs under 12lbs and is smooth as silk on the road and a true pleasure to ride and climb with.
I’ve had great luck over the last couple of years with my Nimbus Titan. I’ve put about 1,500 miles on it with no issues at all. It’s now spec’ed with pedals you’ll probably want to upgrade, but otherwise, it’s ready to roll.
I like my Big One. Solid frame with machined bearing holders. I think the Titan has stamped steel holders. The Titan is $450 at UDC - not sure if that includes shipping, but the last time I checked, the Coker was $440 shipped if ordered directly from Coker. That is with no extras. If I were you, I wouldn’t get the brake - it’s a cheap linear pull brake that you can order from any bike supply site for $10 if you decide you want a brake. I personally don’t use the brake I have - even here in the mountains of Pa with 125 cranks.
I don’t know about the two uni’s you are inquiring about, but I would like to say, get the 36. It is so much fun. Someone here said it is the overall 36 experience that is so much fun, they were right.
I’d go 36er too, in fact I plan on it this year. I had one and sold it a couple years ago and I miss it.
It’s funny there is a similar conversation going on right now on my Facebook page, basically the pros/cons between the two 36ers.
My old 36er was a Coker Big One. I am only 5’2" and weight appropriate so I can’t say how it performs for someone taller, but it’s a 36er.
As I know Unicycle.com any order over $300 is free shipping
Coker Cycles gives you the choice of powder coating frame for an additional cost and also has free shipping at $439.
If you decide on a Titan and want some upgrades UDC is the way to go.
I hate to recommend someone other than UDC and a non-unicycle place but
if you are planning on buying a stock Titan you might want to look at allunicycles.com (Hayneedle). I haven’t purchased from there so I do not know what type of service they provide, but the Titan is $439 with free shipping.
For me I might get my old baby back (my Coker) dependent on another offer already placed on a different 36er, so my choice is likely made one way or the other.
Pros/Cons brought up on my Facebook page and what I came away with:
Coker
Aluminum - Pro
Tire Choice - Pro
48 spokes - Con
Stock Seat - Con
Frame width - Con
Approx. cycle weight: 17lbs with brake no PI handle (from Unicycle.com)
Titan
Tire - Pro
Stock Seat - Ok or Pro
36 Spoke - Pro
Steel - Con
Approx. cycle weight: 16 1/2 lbs. (from Unicycle.com)
I hope that helps and good luck on whatever you choice. Either way you should have good rides and a good time.
I’d go 36er too, in fact I plan on it this year. I had one and sold it a couple years ago and I miss it.
It’s funny there is a similar conversation going on right now on my Facebook page, basically the pros/cons between the two 36ers.
My old 36er was a Coker Big One. I am only 5’2" and weight appropriate so I can’t say how it performs for someone taller, but it’s a 36er.
As I know Unicycle.com any order over $300 is free shipping
Coker Cycles gives you the choice of powder coating frame for an additional cost and also has free shipping at $439.
If you decide on a Titan and want some upgrades UDC is the way to go.
I hate to recommend someone other than UDC and a non-unicycle place but
if you are planning on buying a stock Titan you might want to look at allunicycles.com (Hayneedle). I haven’t purchased from there so I do not know what type of service they provide, but the Titan is $439 with free shipping.
For me I might get my old baby back (my Coker) dependent on another offer already placed on a different 36er, so my choice is likely made one way or the other.
Pros/Cons brought up on my Facebook page and what I came away with:
Coker
Aluminum - Pro
Tire Choice - Pro
48 spokes - Con
Stock Seat - Con
Frame width - Con
Approx. cycle weight: 17lbs with brake no PI handle (from Unicycle.com)
Titan
Tire - Pro
Stock Seat - Ok or Pro
36 Spoke - Pro
Steel - Con
Approx. cycle weight: 16 1/2 lbs. (from Unicycle.com)
I hope that helps and good luck on whatever you choice. Either way you should have good rides and a good time.
If you do buy from Hayneedle browse their uni’s for a while and then go to a site that has adds and find a Hayneedle one. If you click on the add it will give you a 5% off coupon for anything and it will be about $20 cheaper.
My Coker Big One (“new” version; 2008) had a 48 spoke wheel. That makes for a beefy wheel, and probably adds some weight. I’d rather have a lighter wheel and a heavier frame. The 48 spokes probably makes for a better-suited 36" for MUni though. I did a bunch of trail riding with mine before I sold it. I still have my 2002 Coker. For a better 36" offroad experience one should probably get one with a splined hub.
The Titan, which I have no experience with, uses a 36 spoke wheel, which means a 36-hole hub and rims, which means more choices.
Both are fine choices, so don’t sweat over one vs. the other, unless you have future plans for them. If you want to do lots of part swapping and upgrades, the Titan is probably more flexible.
John, I think you may have hit it for me. If I get a Nimbus Titan, I can later get a wide 36h isis hub for it if I’m so inclined, which I can see myself doing.
I can also upgrade the seat to a KH and get some shorter nimbus cranks for less price than the Coker outfitted the way I wanted. I won’t have a handle bar, but if I got one, it wouldn’t be much more, though I would maybe even hold out for a T bar.
If I don’t like staring at the chrome frame, I can spray paint it or powdercoat it locally.
Still haven’t decided 100% (need to talk to my parental unit), but I think if I get one, I’ll be getting a Titan.
Almost seems too good to be true. An ISIS hub 36 for under 500$? I could get the uni and nimbus shadow handle set or T bar for the same price as the others.
Can’t comment directly on the qu-ax 36, but I’ve got a quax 26 and it’s been my main ride for the past year. Very good build, definitly up to the standard of KH’s and Nimbii.
If I were getting a 36, a Quax would be likely.
But, I’m also interested in hearing comments from those who actualy have a Quax 36.
