I have a 27" beat up 15 speed bicycle lying in the side yard. I was going to do the uNibiker thing to it, but I have started to wonder if I can cut the down tube and the top tube off at the seat tube. What would remain would be just the rear triangle with the cranks attached. I was planning on replacing the seat with a uni seat.
In theory, it is a geared unicycle, however, with the pedals and cranks that far out from the wheel hub, I would think the center of gravity would be moved so far forward that it wouldn’t be rideable.
This design will have a different balance point than that of a unicycle, but it would be rideable with a locked hub. Of course, if you use the existing 15-speed freewheel, you’ll need bars (or at least a handle) to hold the brake and shift levers.
Check out the recumbent unicycle on unicycling.com. I think that’s pretty close to the riding position you’ll end up with.
> Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?
Yeah, I have made a 100% recumbent unicycle using a similar method to what
you have described, however I then reversed the frame and put cranks where
the seat used to be, just to get me down a bit lower. It is difficult to
ride, I have only managed 5 peddles, however can go a long way holding onto
someones shirt.
I would imagine that the one you have described would be same as on unicycling.com (owned by Eric Kolb) which he placed a high seat on to get
some distance between him and the cranks.
I have also seen a picture of one in the upright position in a parade, but
cant remeber where…
