I play unicycle hockey and also like to ride my unicycle on the road or on smoothish country paths (semi off road but not muni). I ride my uni 2 to 4 times a week (about 4 somtimes 5 hours a week).
Playing hockey obviously my uni falls over quite a bit. Now my uni is a few years old I brought it 2nd hand and over the past 6 months have upgraded the seat (Kh Freestyle), seat post, added alu nimbus cranks, pedals and a gusset pimp 20" tire. However, the wheel and hub is what came with it (cheap and probably not light), it rusted at one point but I lightly sanded it clean,
Its a 20" uni with chrome frame with rounded rather than right angled forks. It also has lollypop baring housings (but not a Pashley). Anyway, this week the frame cracked around the bolts that hold the bearing housing. So it needs a new frame.
Now I’m delberating, should I fix it and get a low cost Nimbus chrome frame, or should I go for something a little more special. In any case, even if I buy a new one I will probably end up fixing it, but at much less cost as a spare/loaner bike.
I’m not sure weather to fix it up, or go all out on something like a Nimbus Eclipse or Equinox. Given my usage would it be worth it. Would I notice a significant performance improvement that would warrant spending £300 on a bike verses £40 to fix mine up .
This is a common failure mode for unicycles with lollipop-style bearing holders… they weren’t designed for much more than riding forward and back, it seems.
A new frame isn’t necessary unless a significant part of the frame has disintegrated. You could find a welding shop and have them “beef up” the lower ends of the frame. Of course, this would move the weak point up the frame, so it’ll fail elsewhere at a later date… but it’s a cheaper solution than a new frame, and it will last for some time if done right.
Sounds like someone needs a better unicycle for hockey! You don’t have to buy top of the line, but you should definitely move away from the lollipop-style bearing holders.
Thanks for the advice. I just brought a new frame (Nimbus2), seat clamp and bearings from UDC. I want to get the bike up and running. However, given my usage (see original post) I would not rule out the possibility of me getting an Eclipse or Equinox if deemed beneficial?
Get a nice uni. Even good ones are not that expensive. The Nimbus unis are good quality and not as expensive as say a Kris Holm. I am a believer in having good equipment. It motivates you use it more, and it’s not like you are a beginner. You know you like the hobby and it sounds like you ride pretty often, so go for it. There are more expensive endevours out there than unicycling. So get a good one.
The last two posts have really made me want to buy one now. Well the spares hopefully arrive today. I’ll fix up the bike, if I like it I’ll keep it. If I don’t I’ll buy a nice one.
When I told the people in my hokey team I was considering one they were like, “woah really? Shy not buy a cheaper one and spend the excess on a cocker!”. It made me think, hmm am I being exuberant, I guess not.