Brett Bymaster believes he has hit 25 mph at least once or twice while doing downhill gliding. But the dismounts can be brutal.
I know I’ve hit about 25 on my Coker and 45" wheel from time to time, but I really don’t like going that fast! Christian Hoverath’s crazy downhill run from the EUT several years ago is still the fastest conventional unicycling I’ve ever heard of.
The speed segment of unicycling should look more to the bike world (but not necessarily the UCI) for guidance. I dislike proposing yet another race (IUF already has its hands full), but there should be a flying 200m on the track. Wouldn’t that be something generally recognized as the fastest pedalled uni?
Don’t misinterpret: rolling downhill is completely off the hook and I agree that Christian’s exploit is the benchmark for absolute speed, but the 200m is recognized in both upright bikes and recumbents as “the fastest” pedalled sprint.
It doesn’t sound that fast until you actually do it. 20MPH is scary (but fun!). It’s also very hard to physically spin your legs much faster.
I’ve hit 45+MPH on a bike, and that is certainly exhillerating. …but bikes freewheel, have high gears, a lower profile, and you don’t UPD for no good reason. You can also agressively brake when you get scared without flying off the front.
good point
Competition-wise, races are more fun to watch. But for those interested in speed, a 200m speed trap would be a good way to measure. I believe the IHPVA requires you to ride it in both directions, to cancel out any wind advantage. Floyd Beattie did this in 1986 at an IHPVA conference in Indianapolis (I think). He had a brand new 45" wheel that he wasn’t very used to, but clocked something like 22 mph through the 200 meters.
couldn’t be there a low giraffe with bike gear switching
Sorry, I forgot to mention it was in MPH:D
There are geared up short giraffe unicycles (called penguins) however they are still single speed.
The problem with multiple speeds on a giraffe is that unicycles are by nature fixed gear. All multi-geared bicycle components are designed around freewheel components. (with the exception of the nearly impossible to find interally geared fixed Sturmey-Archer hub). Rear-derailleurs are required to pick up chain slack when moving from one chain-ring or cog to another. These derailleurs would not work (and would quickly be destroyed) if you attempted to use them on a fixed-gear cycle.
The only geared uni I saw this weekend was Brian’s Schlumph (shiftable 29er). Correct me if I’m wrong though.
Yes. It should be in Ryan Atkin’s possession at this time and he is in school in Ottawa. There is a good chance that you saw it, then. It is presently not shiftable but can be made so.
what is that, mazbe i can find it in croatia >D
It’s a custom modified 3-speed hub that has been converted to a fixed gear two speed hub. It is shiftable. So you can have a shiftable fixed gear bike.
Unfortunately the internal mechanisms are not strong enough to handle the forces from unicycle riding. It would self-destruct if used on a unicycle.
The Bikesmith in Seattle developed and made them. Unfortunately The Bikesmith has closed up shop about two years ago. He’s still in Seattle last I heard, but not working at his own shop. I would guess he would still be willing to make hubs, but without his own shop I don’t know if he can.
It’s a neat hub for a fixed gear bike. I test rode one. Almost made me want to get a fixed gear bike.
nice, maybe it can become stronger like the one from kh and sclumpf or w/e cooperation
i would like to see design of that hub
The model number for a sturmey 3 speed fixed is ‘ASC’. It’ll be stamped on the shell which will be aluminium IIRC. They are VERY rare, though.
This is what I was referencing, although I have no idea of the suitability of it for unicycling.
Then there’s the Schlumpf bottom brackets
http://www.schlumpf.ch/md_engl.htm
..but the website states that they’re not suitable for fixed-gear bikes.
Dead Horse
Yeah, but is this plane also on a conveyor belt?
I didn’t see the authoratative answer: What is the fastest land speed for a unicycle?
you mean as in one wheel down a hill is OK, as opposed to on the level?
as long as it’s not being pulled or pushed by another person or vehicle?
and would you insist upon pedalling or not (i.e. free-coasting on one wheel OK)?
you still have to have a definition of an “absolute” record.
notwithstanding the above, it still sounds like Christian H. has it.
How do you stop from such a speed?
Easier than not stopping… 